The sun., 1891-09-03
The Latest Ruling Of the Treasury
Department.

We compliment and congratulate Secre-
tary FOSTER upon the luminous decision
which he has Just rendered in the case OF
the HARRISON family against the revenue
cutter Grant. The Secretary's opinion Is
more than luminous; it is luciferous. In
the absence OF just such rulings the exact
position OF this Administration with regard
to the personal use OF public property has
been involved in haze OF uncertainty.
The general doctrine of deadheadism. as
held by President HARRISON, is we'll enough
understood. But what are the limits Of that
doctrine in its practical application? How
far, and for just what purposes. does Gen.
HARRISON hold that the ships Of the United
States navy and OF the revenue service may
properly be employed for his convenience
or recreation, or the transportation OF his
person and tho persons OF his numerous
family? To what distant degree Of blood or
marital relationship does the right to seize
upon Government ship extend; and what
ships, under the HARRISON Doctrine, are
within the privileges OF each particular
member OF the Presidents family? These
are questions Of immense interest," and
heretofore no subordinate officer OF the
Government, no newspaper. no private citi-
zen, has been able to answer them.
The Treasury Department decides that q
revenue cutter may not be seized upon by a
mere son of the President and diverted from
its ordinary line OF duty for the purpose OF
bringing daughter and a daughter-in-law
OF the President up New York harbor: that
Government steam launch, and moth
ing larger, Is at tho disposal OF a
son OF the President for the per-
sonal service specified but that the
! mother of the son OF President may. un-
der the HARRISON Doctrine, seize upon the
nearest revenue cutter available and use it
, for domestic convenience. Under cover OF
| the superior privilege OF the mother OF the
| son OF the President therefore, the son Of
| the President may pass, so to speak, from
| the stern sheets of his own titular steam
| launch to the quarter deck OF the titular
revenue cutter of the mother Of the son OF
! tho President.
Secretary FosrEa's ruling establishes a
| definite basis for a complete code Of inter-
| probation. 1t will be comparatively easy
now to determine other questions as they
arise under the HARRISON Doctrine. 1t is
evident that the principle OF domestic dead
headism is not to be applied loosely or in
discriminatory as long as Gen. HARRISON
| remains In the White House. For example,
| it will undoubtedly be held by tho Treasury
Department that while the President him
self may legitimately seize upon the
nearest revenue cutter and embark upon
1t in person for q piscatory excursion.
he may not, without SURPRISING the bounds
OF strict Official propricty, order the same
vessel TO the fishing banks merely to
procure mess OF fresh hake and haddock
| for his next mornings breakfast on shore.
Nothing more important than Government
| lighthouse tender could be sent on that SER
vicc. And while it would be allowable for
tho President to summon a tlrst-class
cruiser from Bar Harbor to Hampton
Roads to convey him to sea for ocean
ozone and Sunday rest, it would be
manlfestly beyond the spirit of the
HARRISON Doctrine to order tho entire
White Squadron to Jersey City for the solo
purpose of transporting Baby MCKEE from
| the Pennsylvania station to the foot OF West
! Twenty-third street, whenever that young
gentleman was brought to New York to re.
plenish his stock OF pantalettes, tho Presi-
dent not coming along.
These may seem to be flne distinctions,
but it is precisely such distinctions and self
| sacrificing concessions to tho democratic
idea that mark the difference between free
government OF the people. by the people.
and for tho people. and the unrestrained
insoence OF a miserable autocracy.