Daily Republican., 1886-06-22
buchanan and n Frolic.

Buchanan, had differentiated from Cleve-
land as to the use of our public vessels,
and story was published many years agol
of how this idea cost Howell Cobb, his
Secretary of theTreasury,a nice little sum
1t was at the time of the launching and
trial trip OF a reven ue cutter, which had
been made under Cobb's direction
and named after Bdchanan's niece, "the
Harriet Lane" Cobb concluded that on
his trial tip of the new vessel he would
invite the Cabinet, the foreign legations,
the Pr sidsnt and others of his acquaint
ance to take sail with him down the
Potomac. He made all his arrangements
without saying a word to the President,
and the matter was pretty well advanced
before Buchanan heard OF it. When 1t
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. / would like to
know what you think of Cobb's using our
public property for his private entertain
mentP
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 1t. But"
continued he, "Mr President, Cobb has
gone on with this affair and issue his in
vitations, and don't see what you can do
about it,"
/ "Do about it," said Buchanan, in a
rage, edo about it," Why of course |
will stop it. 1t is scandalous affair,
aud l 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 max
ing the arrangement, ard the fact that il
he stopped the affair now it would cause
great deal of scandal both in this
country and abroad rs the foreign Minis
tiers had been invited. Buchanan appre-
ciats Il this and finally said he thought he
would let Cobb 90 on If he wanted to and
he would pay al 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:
"Mr. Secretary want you to bring me
, an itemized bill OF the expenses incurred
, during the trial trip of the Harriet Lane,
, / want a detailed account of everything
r 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 o.
} this demand, but he replied quietly
3 "Certainly, Mr.. President L will d.
, So"
r. Shortly after this the Cabiuet maetin,
f ended, and Howell Cobb and Jere Blael
: walked down from the White House to
q gether. When they had gotten oppost
? where the Attorney Generals office
now, Cobb who had been silent up to thi
time, burst forth; "What in thunder doe
o the old squire mean"
Y Black made no reply, and Cobb wen
e on: "You know what he means, and
d know you do and now want You
t.l me frankly what he is up to- Blac
= then related his conversation with Buct
! auau, aud conc luded with the statemeI
|, I, that Buchanan had asked for the bill
u order that he ID ght pay 1t out OF his ow
IL pocket.
e Howell Cobb always whistled when b
Is was surprised, and he now gave lout
d long continued whistle, and said: 9Th;
"a is what the old squire is up to, is IL
10 Well, l will see whether | can't surpri
II him."
80 At this point the conversation droppe
~ and Black and Cobb went on to Il
IL Treasury. Every once In while Col
a would repeat his whistle, and as Blat
IS left him he heard the whistle coming o.
4 of the Treasury door as Cobb entere
The next Cabinet day came and with
came Cobb who seemed to be the ha
piest man of The council. The Presidel
1 looked glum but Cobb was cracking h
IN Jokes Al everybody. The business of Il
ne meeting was at last concluded, and II
]. Secretaries had arisen to take their d.
le parture, WHEN Buchanan turned to Col
ly and said rather sharply: MIR. Stcrelar
III where is that bill.'
:. Cobb, assuming an innocent air, a
30 swered: "What bill do you mean, n
81 President. "
III az mean the bill OF expenses for IL
al trial trip of the Harriet Lane" answer'
y Buchanan sternly, "haye you got it wi
l. you.'
ID "Oh! that billr' said Cobb; eyes, b
10 lieve | have it somewhere about 4
is clothes,' and hereupon Cobb fumbl
~ tirst in one pocket and then in anotht
- and finally drew out piece OF crumpl
~ paper Which he handed to tie Preside
NC with: 81 guess that is IT,.
sc Mr. Buchanan took ii and looked oY
e, it lem by item.
lie His faces was full of disgust as he rea
sc and he seemed TO look daegers into t
DIS paper until he reached the end, when
mr. almost jumped to his feet as he exclaim
Ls "Why, it is rcceipted-paid in full
Howell Cobb"
And who in thunder should ha
9h paid it but Howell Cobbi' btoke in Go
% with an air of injured innocence; lit
as my frolic Who should have paid Tor II
ly Sure enough. sure enough was
CHI that Buchanan said. But he brighten
ng up at once. and in a short time became
,ff' merry as Cobb had been at the beginni
ITO of the session. Cobb and Black We
~ away from the White House, and as til
ii were going down the steps into the va
~ Cobb said: "Did'n come it over the {
ne squire that timel" 1t is needless to 81
al III conclusion that the Government v
ID; sells were not used during the RENAME
nd of Buchanan S Admin ,tration for priv
w. .purroses.
he -
nd A Brutal wife Murder.
re. GARDNER, Masa, june I'll
III