The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-01
cur 1T DOWN IN THE FLOWER.

CUT 1T DOWN IN THE FLOWER.
w find tie following letter in the
Washington Post of March SOth. and it
ought to be copied into every newspaper
in the United States.
Editor Post:
notice in the press dispatches the
statement that General Ludlow. AZ Ha-
vana, has purchased for his own use
harness at a cost OF 81 200 10 be paid FOR
out of the public funds or taxes.
This statement was accompanied by the
remark that il was obviously untrue.
Why obviously untrue? Did he not. while
Engineer Commissioner OF this District.
purchase a fast horse for his own Use at
a cost OF $500 and sets of harness costing
Slj and $l2j. lap-robes with his monogram
on them. gloves for his driver. all paid
for out OF the public funds? This was
exposed by General BOyton, and subse-
quently in the local papers. Indeed. so
scandalous was his conduct I'm that mat
ter that resolution was adopted by the
Senate or the District Committee, calling
on the Commissioners subsequently for
information as TO the utility Of that
horse for district use. and they reported
that 10 was Of no use 10 the district. and
II was sold for fraction of its cost.
If he did those things here at the ma
tiOnal capital. right under the eyes OF
the government ] see no reason 10 doubt
the correctness Of the statement as TO
his pursuing a similar course in Havana.
True $1,000 is a big price to pay for
harness. but as every one familiar with
the Spaniards and their descendants in
America knows. they are exceedingly
proud Of gaudy and expensive trappings
for their horses Their brides, saddles.
and harness are covered with gold and
silver ornaments. worth much more than
the horses which wear them. From the
luxurious tastes I'm that line manifested
by Lord Ludlow as he was called
while here. l can readily beieVo Inc state
ment 20 be true.
The great complaint Of the South in the
DAYS Of reconstruction was the outrage
Gus expenses heaped upon the citizens by
the et-baggers" sent 10 rule over
them Surely we do not want repetition
of that condition in cuba.
II strikes one that i'm justice both 70 our
own government and General Ludlow the
war Department should look into This
matter and If found to be true change
should be made in short order We GER
tainly don't want to rob the poor devils
OF what little they have, especially wheh
every cent Is so badly needed for other
ana necessary purposes.
I'm fact do not see why our govern
mont should not 1T once set on foot a
movement for the establishment or that
"stable government TO which II pledged
ftsalf and got out or Cuba az soon as
noeeibie The Americans. whose lives
hove been and will be lost there II we
rornain are worth more than the whole
cuban tribe. We have driven Spain out.
,,o,,, LEI fhe Cuhans take care Of them
eelves IL they can. which ] very much
1oubt The idea Is becoming prevalent
chat there Is not only desire hut an IN
tention I'm certain quarters TO so MANAGE
VOTERS I'm cuba as 70 compel annexation.
We cannot with honor or consistency
rovor any such project until the Cubans
ho,.a heen given an opportunity 10 prop
o-l,. cover, themselves. In the mean time
,.e seem fair to have on our hands oil
tho trouble we need for years 10 come
-" 49, pbil,rnines. w. c. DODGE.
We know nothing about General Ludlow
evccnt that we nave heard his attain
r,ents as an engineer highly commended
and we believe his Administration OF the
civ OF Havana Is proving success. But
IL II be true that he has appropriated
| 81 200 Of Cuba's revenues TO purchase
set of harness for himself it makes no
difference how valuable he Is as a man
/ how SnCcerSlNl ne - al 'Ni'i't'oN- NO.
he ought 10 be removed from his present
nosition and compelled to return the
81 200 to the Cuban revenues.
Zvo have a most difficult task at best
n restore order and establish stable
Government in cuba, but If the natives
get the idea in their minds that our Off
clals are robbing them they VIII see no
difference between Spanish robbery ana
American robbery and our task VIII De
made ten thousand times moro oithcu''
than T. now IS. This looks like small
matter to make 80 great sur ABOUT
but ~ the facts are as charged II Is 'he
beginning Of a system and tnat system
should be nipped IN the bud we OF 'he
south know what plunder by carpet has-
Gers mean and the Cubans VIII resent ~
lust rs we did.