New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-29
TIE LAND SCRIP COMMISSION.
EZRA CoRNEIL's TESTIMONY REGARDING TIL
OF TIE LANDS.

rZRA CoRNEILs TESTIMONY REGARDING THE SALE
OF TIE LANDS.
The Cornell Commission continued its IN
gesgation at the ST. Nicholas Hotel yesterday morning
Ex-Gov. Seymour and Col Van Buren, of the Commits
sion and Mr. Mcclure, Mr.. Cornell, and Judge Parker
counsel for Mr. Cornell, being present. Judge Parker
stated that Mr. Cornell desired the most thorough inves
ticaton Of everything OF which he had been accused
He then said that Mr.. MCGUIRE in his statement OF the
points OF inquiry had made certain allegations concern
ing matters which outside the province OF che
current resolutions OF the State Legislature, under
which the Commission acted; be therefore was OF the
opinion that Mr.. Mcclure should bring forward the
proof OF his statements.
Gov Seymour said that Mr. Mcclure WAS there merely
a. private citizen, and that the Commission would
have no official relation with him in It's proceedings
except that IT would consider him as friend OF tho
Court who could assist them. The inquiry was duty
imposed upon the Commission by the State. Concern
ing the points contained in Mr. McGuire's statement
they would prefer hear first the reply OF Mr. Cornell
Mr.. Parker answered that be was ready to proceed.
Mr. Cornell was then sworn by Col Van Buren,. In the
nrst part Of his testimony he said that he had made
contracts any sale Of lands other than those detailed
IN his statement submitted some time ago to the Com
mission unless it might be small contracts to MT
william A. woodward for the sale OF quarter sections
representing about 1000 acres The lands sold to hessr
McGraw and Sage tmbered, and at the time they
we're sold were Intended represent fair Of
the lands located 10 written ia their contracts
that they might reject lands having less than 1000 feet
Of timber the The value of an acre depended
mainly on quantity Of timber on IT, but untimoered
or thiny timbered lands would ultimately have value
farming lands. Tie poorest OF the lands were worth
Mr. Cornell then continued had received an Offer of
per FOR the lands, nut supposed they were worth
y per acre but the trustees OF the college sent me
letter Ike the dated Nov, 1870 urging me 10 sell at
a der acre a. the be realized by sale at that
considered OF greater utty 10 COrneI UhVei
,,3e Tbe trustees signing The letter were Horace
Greeley Amasa j. Parker A. ID. White, aud all the rest
O. Has any timber been cut from the lands sold to
Mctiraw and sagei A. / don't think there has been.
o. Were these McGraw and Sage contracts the same
proposed 10 be passed over TO the State by the
provisions OF bill in the Assembly last session In settle
nent of your bonds and other obligations to the statef
A. don't now remember the specihc terms OF the bil
bot it's object was 10 transfer the title OF the lands 10
the University II could he properly done; the
hrst section contemplated that the Controller should
receive any OF the securities that should receive for the
sales these lands that might be approved by the rus-
securies the title Was taken in my name il had 10 be
taken. and / had performed ali my contracts |
deemed II that tue title should be placed IN tho
University where II belonged.
q. Why then did you include the money you owed the
state A. BeeauseI wanted TO pay my debts the bond
gave the Controller for payment of the scrip. ana
belonged 10 the College Land Scrip Fund; when the
bonds Is paid the money Will have To be reinyested,
snd proposed that some OF my securities would be
Q. We're bonds and mortgages included in those
eurites a. Whatever bad taken there were l
believe. some bonds and mortgages among them
Col Van Buren, then read extracts from the law OF
Congress and from act Of the Legislature stating
effect. what should be the nature OF the securities
Mr. Cornell said that the Controller took insufficient
securities. that might be matter for investigation OF
the Controller, but certainly Of himself
Mr.. COrnells examination then resumed:
O Has not the State interest iu the profit, OF the
land scrip contracts A. None except 70 maintain IFS
fuud aud securities IN It's contract with me.
q Did you sell the lands located ia Kansas to your.
selIf A. No Sir.
O. Please state the condition OF the Kansas lands
sOne are sold and some retained my name IA All
OF them were entered Ia my naue.
o. Were the McGraw aud sage contracts reported 10
The Controller A. Yes, ana approved by him.
O. Have any contracts been reseindedf A. None but
those OF McGraw and sage.
O. Did your co-trUstecs make presents 20 the
University OF valuable buildingsf A. rnnk the pres
ents they made were previous 10 the contracts.
q DO you claim that all GO cents per acre belongs
10 the college aud not the Slater A Most certainly
~ there - any virtue m contracts.
O. Was the payment OF f15 900 10 Lima College a
dltIOn OF the land grant, A. Yes II required that
should pay it. aud did pay IT,
Aier lts pay mcnl' vas Iot the amount refunded 10
you by the State upon your application No Sir Tot "