The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-17
GENERAL HARRIsaN,s FEE.
IL Is a Pretty Liberal One I'm the
Venezuela Case.

New York Nail and Express.
Ex-President Harrison has come to the
city TO complete his preparations for his
journey abroad as the leading counsel be-
fore the Venezuelan arbitration court. and
j am told that he now has his argument
well under way. 1t is likely to be an MS MS
Evarts's famous address on the. Alabama
claims before the Geneva conference In
who know the ex-President are confident
1t will. then il will indeed be a memorable
one. for 1 understand that General Har-
rison's fee is the tidy sum of 100000 and ex-
penses abroad. These are record figures. i
believe, for making an address, for other
counsel are employed on other phases or
the other day about the unusual size OF the
fee declared that it was unusual, also, for a
former President of the United States TO
make his first appearance abroad as the
paid attorney in a controversy.
Indeed. II is not of record that any Presi-
ing the White House. and / am told that in
the ultra-diplomatic circles at washington
the very fine point has been raised that II Is
unbe e, in a former plesident 10 go T rps
size of the fee and the international I'M
portance of the subject at issue, however.
have had a good deal to do with dulling the
sharp edge Of criticism, for we have not had
many chief magistrates whose ability to
make such an argument was rated oy an
other country as high as 100000.
If our chief magistrates, after retiring
from Office. cannot engage in a controversy
of such proportions as the venezuelan
of dignity and of emolument can they hope
TO have after they leave Washington? The
question that General Harrison has been en-
ii will be remembered a document that
would have involved this country In war
of Salisbury. 1t was a pretty big question
for us all in those days-far too big for
Cleveland to handle in a rational way
and 1 doubt whether questions of diplo-
matfN nrOnripfieS Sllch as are constantly
plunging inner circles at Washington into
a seething mass of agitation will for an
Harrison's mission with other feelings than
those of pride. 1t Is true, of course. that
Harrison's action establishes a precedent,
but the question was asked the other DAY
whether the lack of opportunity rather than
other reasons operated with his predeces-
sors in the White House.
Another poin. is that few OF our Presi-
dents retained their activity and vigor after
retirement so we'll as General Harrison. I
saw him yesterday afternoon. and he seemed
as hale and hearty as when he was III the
White House. Cleveland also keeps abreast
of the times, but Cleveland has not the
incentive for work k,,s that nu,v Harrison p d has;
the number of ducks he can bag. or Of fish
he can haul in during a day'e outing. Har,
more persistently than he has since he left
the White House. though he was always
noted for his close application to his desk.
Congress after Jackson defeated him for
reelection to the presidency, there was
discussion as to whether his course was in
keeping with the dignity OF the of1ce he
had held. but Adams did no better service
for his country than during his stay IN Con-
gress.
No doubt General Harrison will make an
impression abroad of which his country
men will be proud. however diplomats may
look upon it. and he contributes much more
to the dignity and history of the country
than IL he were spending his time in gun
ming or fishing or other recreation.