The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-21
YELLOWSTONE PARK LEAsns.
President Harrison Put in Bad
Light by Committee Report.

President Harrison Put in q Bad
Light by Committee Report.
WASHINGTON, July O-Repressntative
McRae Of Arkansas. from the committee on
public lands, to-day submitted to the House
the report Of the committee on public
lands, which was instructed by the House
to examine and report by bill or otherwise,
as to the circumstances under which certain
leases of ground in the Yellowstone Ma
tional park were made in March, 1899, by
the Secretary of the Interior to the
Yellowstone Park Association, and also
why the privilege given to the
association in said leases to transport pas
sengers in the park was Afterward re-
scinded, and the same granted TO oae s. s.
Huntley. The report says that the secre-
tary made lease to Mr.. Huntley for the
transportation business only and without
any obligation to build any hotels and de
elsred forfeiture OF the right of transpor-
tion OF the Yellowstone National Park As
sociation without notice, without trial. or
any statement of any complainants for nom
use or misuse of the right.
Mr.. Wakefield, .who had conducted q
transportation business, says the report, is
a democrat, Mr.. Huntley a republican and
a personal and political friend Of Russell b.
Harrison, son OF the President. The secre-
tary says that Mr.. Huntley was recon-
mended TO him by several senators and CON
gressmen. and onos or twice by Russell B.
Harrison.
THE PUBLIC NOT BENEFITED.
The committee is unable to flnd how the
public service was in the least promoted by
tine forfeiture. since it was 50 arranged by
the proceedings OF secrecy that the business
OF 1892 was required to be done the same as
it had been previously done and by the same
properties.
In another connection bhe report speaks
of the friendship existing between Mr..
Harrison and L. G. Waters, the latter hav-
ing stated to Mr.. Gibson, the president of
the association, that he and Harrison we're
old friends in Montana and he thought he
could assist in arranging matters"
Mr.. Waters statement says the report ia
plainly evssive and with evident de-
sign to shield President Harrison's namo. The
report reproduces a letter from Mr.. Waters
to Mr.. Oakos stating thAs $1,000 worth
Of stock was going to K. q. karens to be
held subject to the order Of the directors OF
the Park Association, and his friend would
explain fully. The report says Mr.. Waters
admits that this stock was for Russell Har-
rison and Mr.. Cakes give 1t as his under
standing that the stock was for Russell
Harrison.
The report concludes as follows: "The
son OF the President is In no wise cou-
neoted with the government OF the United
States: yet from his relations to the Presi-
dent himself he in effect represents part OF
the presidential power. The cabinet minis
ters as we'll Gs their subordinates them
selves, hold their places at the will of the
President. and, as well as other men,
may be recipients of his power
The advent OF Russell b. Harrison
is in the roll of a go-between for the Pres
ident. No member Of the Presidents fam
lily has taken part ia the administration of
the government. No statutory law exists
prohibiting q member OF the Presidents
family from soliciting favors of the depart
msnt against his enemies, because hitherto
no such law has been needed but the tn-
propriety of such acts is too daring aud OBJ
vlous to require any argument and when ap-
parently they pass without eliciting reproof,
presidential or paternal, IL seems fitting
that the representatives of the people should
stamp them with their condemnation. 1t
may be remarkable In a monarchy for the
heir apparent to strive to influence officials.
but In q republic, there being no heir ap-
parent, the co-existence Of the facts warrant
the conclusion that the Presidents son, in
luental only in that capacity, is called
upon to exert and does exert his influence
for corporation dealing with great de-
partment OF the government, and that
about the same time $1,000 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 official criticism by the ex-
ecutive department"
A minority report, dissenting from the
views submitted by Mr.. McRae, will also
be presented in the House.
Accompanying his report, Mr.. MoRae
submitted draft of a bill, which was
agreed to by the committee, for the punish
ment Of crime, and prescribing regulations
concerning the granting and forfeiture Of
leases In the park.