Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-23
Buchanan and a Froltc.

Washington Correspondence Cleveland Leader.
 The last Democratic President, James Buchanan, had 8 different idea from Cleve- land as to the use of our public vessels, and story was published many years ago of how this idea cost Howell Cobb, his Secretary of the Treasury, 0 nice little sum It was at the time of the launching and trial trip of 8 revenue cutter, which had been made under Cobb's direction and named after Buchanan's niece, sThe Har- riet Lane." Cobb concluded that on his trial trip of the new vessel he would in- vite the Cabinet, the foreign legations, the President and others of his acquaintances to take sail with him down the Poto- mac. He made all his arrangements with out saying 8 word to the President, and the matter was pretty well advanced be- fore Buchanan heard of it. When it first came to his ears "Old Buck" sent for his Attorney General, Jere Black, and Black when he came to the White House found Buchanan flushed with anger. As Black entered he said: "Are you going on this blanked frolic? I would like to know what you think of Cobbs using our public property for his private entertainments"
 Attorney-General Black replied that he was not going on the Harriet Lane trip, and though he did not like to criticise Cobb, still he was not backward in saying that he did not approve of it. "But," con tinued he, f'Mr. President, Cobb has gone on with this affair and issued his invita- tions and I don't see what you can do about itI'
 'Do about it," said Buchanan, ill rage, ''do about it. Why, of course will stop it. It is a scandalous affair and I will not be held responsible for it. certainly will not allow it to go on."
 Black then placed before Buchanan the probability that Cobb thought he was doing nothing wrong when he was making the arrangement, and the fact that if he stopped the affair now it would cause a great deal of scandal both in this country and abroad, as the foreign ministers had been invited. Buchanan appreciated this and finally said that he thought he would let Cobb go on if he wanted to and he would pay all the expenses out of his own pocket. The excursion did go on, but neither the President nor Attorney-General Black were present. At the first Cabinet meeting after it Buchanan said to Cobb:
 MT, Secretary, l want you to bring me an itemized bill of the expenses incurred during the trial trip of the Harriet Lane. I want detailed account of everything-the coal consumed, the salary of the officers, the wages of the seamen and the cost of every bit of supplies used on the trip"
 Cobb did not know what to make of this demand, but he replied quietly: Certain ly, MT. President, will do so."
 Shortly after this the Cabinet meeting end ed and Howell Cobb and Jere Black walked down from the White House together. When they had gotten opposite where the Attorney Generals office is now, Cobb, who had been silent up to this time, burst forth: ''What in thunder does the old squire meana"
 Black made no reply and Cobb went on: t'You know what he means and I know you do, and now I want you to tell me frankly what he is up to-" Black then related his conversation with Buchanan and concluded with the statement that Buchanan had asked for the bill in order that he might pay it out of his own pocket.
 Howell Cobb always whistled when he was surprised and he now gave loud, long con tinued whistle and said: ''That is what the old squire is up to, is its Well, I will see whether l can surprise him.n
 At this point the conversation dropped and Black and Cobb went on to the Treasury Every once in while Cobb would repeat his whistle, and as Black left him he heard the whistle coming out of the Treasury door as Cobb entered. The next Cabinet day came and with it came Cobb, who seemed to be the happiest man of the council. The Presi- dent looked glum, but Cobb was cracking his jokes at everybody. The business of the meeting was at last concluded and the Secre- taries had arisen to take their departure when Buchanan turned to Cobb and said rather sharply: "Mr. Secretary, where is that bill?'
 Cobb, assuming an innocent air, answered: "What bill do you mean, MT. Presidenta'
 'l mean the bill of expenses for the trial trip of the Harriet Lane," answered Buchan- an sternly, "have you got it with youl''
 "Oh! that bill!" said Cobb; ives, I be- lieve have it somewhere about my clothes" !" and hereupon Cobb fumbled first in one pocket and then in another, and finally drew out a piece of crumpled paper which he handed to the President with: ''I guess that is it.''
 Mir Buchanan took it and looked over it item by item.
 His face was full of disgust as he read ard he seemed to look daggers into the paper un- til he reached the end, when he almost jumped to his feet as he exclaimed: "Why, it is receipted-paid in full by Howell Cobbi'
 f.And who in thunder should have paid it but Howell CobbG" broke in Cobb with an air of injured innocence; Git was my frolic. Who should have paid for it?''
 "Sure enough sure euough!" was all that Buchanan said. But he frightened up at once and in short time became as merry as Cobb had been at the beginning of the ses- sion. Cobb and Black went away from the White House together, and as they were go- ing down the steps into the yard Cobb said: Didn't come it over the old squire that time2" It is needless to say, in conclusion, that the government vessels were not used during the remainder of Buchanans admin istration for private purposes.
 Mir. Caleb Smith of West Haven, Ct., writes:
 Prof. Loveridge, dear sir had rheuma- tism in my right arm so bad that could not use it, and after using one-fourth of bottle of the Magnetic Cure it is as we'll as ever. cannot recommend it too highly to anyone suffering from rheumatism.
 MAITCD A Wn0D,O