Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-21

Majority Report Of the House Committee on
Investigation.

Investigation.
In the report on the Yellowstone Park inves-
tgation As 70 the circumstances under which
certain leases Of ground in the Yellowstone
National Park were made IN March. 1859, BY
the Secretary Of the Interior 10 the Yellowstone
Park Association, and also why the privilege
given to the association In said leases to trans
port Passengers in the park was afterward re-
ecinded and the same granted 70 one S. S. Hunt
ley, the committee on public lands passes some
very severe criticisms upon Mr. Rnssell b Har-
rison-
The report SAYS that the Secretary made q
lease TO Mr.. Huntley for the transportation
business only, and without any obligation 20
buld any hotels, and declared O forfeiture Of
the right OF transportation Of the Yellowstone
National Park Association without notice. with
out trial or any statement of any complaints for
non use or misuse Of the right. Mr.. Wakefield,
who had conducted the transportation business
says the report, IL q democrat. Mr.. Huntley
republican and personal and political friend
OF MI Russell d. Harrison, son OF the President
The Secretary says that Mr.. Huntley was rec
commended to him by several Senators and Con-
gressmen, and once or twice BY Mr.. Russell B.
Harrison. The committee 10 unable 10 find
how the public service was In the least promoted
by the forfeiture, since Il wss arranged by
the proceedings Ut the Secretary that the busi-
as II had been previously done and by the
same properties. gsliy.1u ri.
The report reproduces the lettsr from Mr.
Waters TO Mr.. Cakes, stating that e6.00Q worth
Of stock was to go to r. G. Kerens, to be held
subject 10 the order Of the directors Of the park
association, and his friend would explain fully.
1he report says: He was = stranger 70 kerens.
and did not know his address. but he knew that
Mr.. kerehs was a friend of Mr. Harrison"
He says that the reference in the let
ter TO his friend was to hts attorney, one Mr.
Gray, but he could not give his name or ad-
dress: He finally admits that the friend re-
ferred to and for whose benefit the stock was TO
he held was Mr.. Russell b. Harrison. He says
he did not know whether Mr.. Harrison rem
oered the service or not, nor whether the stock
was requested by him to be issued for services
or a gift.
In conclusion the report save: "Cabinet min
listers themselves. as well as their subordinates,
hold their places at the will Of the President,
and they, as well as all other men, may be the
recipients Of tho executive power. Up 70 the
advent Of Russell B. Harrison in the role Of an
influential gobetwcen as the son of his father. >
the President, no member Of q Presidents fam
lily has taken part in the executive administra-
tioa of the government No statutory law ex-
lists prohibiting a member Of the Presidents
family from soliciting favors from department
against his enemies or in favor Of his friends
because hitherto no such law has been needed.
But the improprietv Of such acts lie too glaring
and obvious to require any argument. and when
apparently they pass without eliciting reprocf.
presidential or paterIlal, it seems Citing thnt
the representatives Of the people should stamp
them with their condemnation. II may not be
remarkable in q monarchy for the heir-apparent
to strive 70 influence official action. But In q
republic, their being no heir-apparent, the CO.
existence OF facts warrsnting the conclusion
that the Presidents son, influential only in that
capacity, is called upon to exert and does exert.