The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-23

We take from the Washington Post the
following account of the report of the Com
mittee Of the House of Representatives on
Public Lands, In response to the order OF the
House that it investigate and report on Dir.
Russell B. Harrison's part Of "negotator"
between the Yellowstone National Park AS
ISOLATION and the Interior Department OF
the United States Government:
Representative McRae, of Arkansas. from
the Committee on Public Lands, has sub
mitted TO the House the report Of the COM
mittee. which was instructed TO examine
and report by bill or otherwise as to the cir
cumstances under which certain leases of
ground in the Yellowstone National Park
were made in March, 1889, by the Secretary
of the Interior to the Yellowstone Park As
ISOLATION. This is the transaction in which
it was charged that Mr.. Russell b. Harrison
had used his influence in behalf of the asso
citation. The report CLOSES with the follow
ING reference to this phase of the case:
The son of the President is in no wise
connected with the Government OF the
United States, yet from his relations TO tho
President himself he. in effect, represents
part of the presidential power. Cabinet
ministers themselves as we'll as their subor-
dinates, hold their places OF the will OF the
President, and they. as well as all other
mon. may be the recipients of the executive
power Up TO the advent OF Russell Is. Har-
rison in the ole of an influential GO between
as THE son of his father" the President, no
member of a presidents family has taken
part in the executive administration of the
Government. No statutory law exists pro-
hibiting a member of the Presidents family
from soliciting fayors from 8 department
against his enemies or in favor OF his friends,
because hitherto no such law has been
needed. But the improperly OF such acts
is too glazing and obvious 10 require any
argument, and when. apparently, they pass
without eiiciting reproof, presidential or
paternal. 1t seems fitting that the repre-
sentatives of the people should stamp them
with their condemnation.
1T may not be remarkable in a monarchy
for the heir apparent to strive TO influence
official action, but in a republic, there being
no heir apparent the coexistence OF facts
warranting the confusion that the Presi-
dents son, influential only in that capacity,
is called upon to exert, and does exert, his
influence for a corporation dealing with q
great department OF the Government, and
that about the same time So, 900 of the stock
of the same corporation is sought to be set
aside for this same son. This coincidence
stands out for legislative condemnation.
having escaped criticism by the executive
department"
And Benjamin Harrison who must have
known of this transaction and winked at it.
is recommended to US as man fitting to be
made President Of the United States. If no
other evidence were forthcoming this trans
action alone proves beyond controversy that
Mr.. Harrison thinks it n perfectly legitimate
and proper thing for his son TO be inter
mediary in negotiation for Government
| privileges between a money corporation and
the head of department who holds his
| place and salary in obedience to the Presi-
dents will and pleasure. Does any man
think that such u thing as this could occur
under the administration of Grover Cleve
landY Mr.. Cleveland. unhappily for him
has no son, but if any near relation Of hii
should undertake such role, we know anC
| the whole country knows that Mr. Cleve
| land would be the first person to blast the
| impudent lobbyist with his devastating
wrath. That is one thing that his admins
tration proved to the country that it could
be sure Of under him. No jobs, no cor
rupting peculatlons dared attempt an en-
trance through the doors Of the Executiv,
Mansion while he was its tenant; nor woulc
thew dare raise their heads there again if ht
should happily be returned to it. OF this
at least. the people feel sure.