The sun., 1894-09-10
e0OD sUMMER READING FoR a
DEADHEAD PREsIDENT
Ths Story of Js.es Huehssnr sud TIE
Frolic on the Harriet Lane.


Nor Rarpsr's Ns,s Morthlv Nooartns or sept. ,s;s.
Concerning excursions at the public expense
which seem 10 be growing more frequent, enc
conducted quito regardless" &c, we 1nd {
quaint and humorous bit OF history in a loca
paper published In New Jersey, which show'
that whatever may have been his Shortcomings
politically, Mr.. Buchanan was hatly against al
junketine at the expense Of our common Fedora
Uncle. The story is as follows:
| The Harriet Lane was q revenue cutter. and
| was built, as all vessels for the revenue marine
are, under the direction Of the Secretary OF the
| Treasury. She was, upon the occasion OF her
| trial trip. used by certain members Of the Blu.
chanan Administration TO convey pleasure
party down tho Potomac River, and have no
doubt there were several champagne lunches
consumed during that voyage. The cir
cumstsnccs attending that pleasure party
were such a TO render II a memorable
occasion. The trip occurred during the sum-
mer season, when tho President and his
Cabinet were, Of course. suffering from the ef-
fects Of the oppressive heat Of this latitude, and
a sail on the Potomac River would afford a brief
but pleasant interlude In their daily routine Of
Official life.
Howell Cobb, then Secretary OF the Treasury,
without consultation with the President or any
Of his colleagues concluded that the occasion OF
WV HIa TRIP vi Ine harriet Lane Wonld be n nne
opportunity to invite bis friends Of tho Cabinet
OF the foreign legations and his acquaintance
generally TO enjoy with him short soil down
the Potomac. The preparations were made ac-
cordingly and the invitations issued, and all ar
rangements completed without the knowledge
OF the President When Mr.. Buchanan learned
or this id frolic," as he characterized II, he
was very wroth, and sent for the Attorney
General. That officer found him fuming and
swearing, and the first greeting he received was
adouble-barrelled interrogatory.
Are you,' said the President, going on this
Id frolicP What do you think Of such
conversion Of public property to private use?"
AS soon as tho Attorney General could get his
Harriet Lane, and further. tbat while So fsIt a
delicacv In c-itici.i,s, ,ho ao,. -, 1T. o,i...
~ ,s,..u.,,s, ,s .ns "o's v. MS coileasues' s'
his emphatic disapproyal OF the whole affair
"Rpt 4" so,d ba ",Jr prasidan, -. ~. -
going to do about it2"
do about III" exclaimed Old Buck In N urea,
psssion-"do about III why. of courso I will
stop It, 1t Is all wrong; 1t is scandalous, and 1
will be held responsible for 1t. or course, will
,n.u " ~ o".
But" said the Attorney q General, "the in
have been ,ny,,.d s,, - l, ,r,
conrss ,honn,. :, @ anu nu'e ,, aeeep'su. Ihey' 0,
.ou'se, thouHht ~ was al right and proper and
II you interfere now il will be 70 certain e,tent
n refectiop ON ,hor ,,nrna,.a. -, +.1s
good people have thou ght tlessly agreed 10 occom-
pany the Secretary of the Treasurv md 4, will
causo ,ho,,, ,,.,... -, -, - "nu ~ "i''
=, 80, ''o'os' anu causeiess hortincation
idea that Mr.. Cobb has thought ANYTHING about
the moralIt = OF making n.e ~ cov.rn,nsr,
ma, ,el in this way, am sure il he had reflected
"oriu 10 take such q step; but he has taken 1t,
and see no way In which you can interfere now
without causing a great deal OF scandal. and do
ing more harm than good. Is there no way of
remedyins tho wrong after 1t is donef"
v.s ,h.ro 80. 'io '.uee''on sa'o
yeSsa yes, mere it was way lie would pay tho ex
e excursion; Mr. Buchanan. Just before the confer
ence concluded, turned to Mr.. Cobb and said:
,temized biii OF the expenses incurred during the
detailed statesn, Gf Lane want In and
sHs rna cost of supplies Of sSsy
- Toon %. was thunderstruck. He could not con-
NJ amchannn such , uomanu meant, but he knew
q ask any questions. iio replied "Gsrtainiy,
hut as tbe membsps Wib 20 80 81 Tho c.,,r., .,.,
Cobb took the | Go%et bx tbs arI
hnd aa waikcd along toward the Treasury without |
Sayt sSayy,nE Word. hen they had traversed about
nIs inI lne u'StWnSe ne snddsnly stopped and ex
mean ~
~ Inc Mtorney-General made no reply, and |
ODD saiu, looking him square in the face: you
Know Know what he means; know you do. and now |
Lhihk you owe II ~ me to tell me frankly what
he Is up TO-"
The Attorney-General, thus appealed to, OF
curse could not refuse, and explained the mat
lie has asked you for the bill because he neass
% pay IL out OF his own pocket"
,SoDp gave lOng.continned whistle, as was
lls haoit when he wished to manifest great sur
lrise, and said That's what the old Squire ia
~ 10. tsitf Well, III sea whether can't sur
Prise htm.
Inc conversation on this point dropped but
very once ~ while, as they continued their
Walk 10 the Treasury, Cobb would utter a pro- !
onRed whistle. Al tho next regular Cabinet
meeting Cobb was AS bright and cheerful as a