The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-09-04

. several Oh inc most eminent Hiefi
bers of the senate. They argue
that the government having parte
with its title, the question was bt
tween the settlers and the railroa
companies, and not between til
} government and the corporations
Senator Crozier contended other
wise, and urged his views with per
J tinAcious vigor co-operate'
with him, and had several inter
views with Gen. Williams who fin
ally made the order in the preeis
terms of the joint resolution pre-
pared by Gov. Shannon, aud intro
duced by me on the Sth of Decem
Der.
Meanwhile q vacancy occurred il
the Office of district attorney fol
this state, and looked around the
horizon for successor. l knew
that the appointment would bS
charged TO me. whether good OF
bad, and that / must take the re.
spcnsibility, so l took counsel OF
ny judgment alone.
A year and more previous at tbs
congressional convention at Law
renee, of which / was president, ]
met Capt. Geo. r. Peck, of indie
pendence. / contracted q sndden
and instructive regard for him.
He was young and enthusiastic,
and of tastes and sympathies SIM
liar to my own. He had courage,
culture, convictions, habits and a
passion for his profession which
promised excellence and distinc-
ton. 1 then resolved if l conld
ever serve, or aid him, or benefit
him would do so.
The opportunity now unexpect-
eddy arrived. consulted 40 one,
spoke with no one, and did not
even advise him of my purpose by
mail or tel graph. His location in
the neighborhood of those who
were to be affected by these impor-
tant proceedings was favorable.
AT my request Senator Crozier
signed the application for his ap-
pOintment, though he did not even
know him by name; and his noml-
nation was sent to the senate. The
telegraph having informed him of
the fact, he dispatched me he would
forward letters and recommends
tons, to which ! replied by re-
quest that he would do neither, and
at the next executive session of the
senate, he was confirmed.
Shortly afterwards he visited
Washington to receive his instruc-
tons from the attorney general,
and expressed to me his gratitude
and surprise at the interest | had
manifested in him. l told him the
grounds of my confidence, and that
l did not even ask from him the
test of adhesion to my political for
tunes; l only desired a prompt,
manly and efficient discharge of his
official duties, and especially a Wig
orous prosecution of the cases to
settle the title to the Usage ceded
lands. He gave me all needed as
surance of a desire to vindicate my
judgment and justify my choice to
the people of Kansas.
Had l not ceased to be astonished
at anything, l should have been
when / received dispatch
es after Peck's nomination had been
sent to the senate, to resist his con-
upon the ground that he
was In the interest of the railroads,
and that his appointment was re-
garded as direct blow at the set
tiers.
Nor was it the leost remarkable
fact in this ''strange eventful his
tory" that after the order had en-
anated from the department of JUS
tice directing the institution of
these proceedings in the exact
terms of the joint resolution, dis
patches were sent to the president
and attorney general, requesting a
of the order upon the
ground that some fraud was there
by about to be perpetrated upon
the peopleI
1t was at first undecided whether
the suits should be commenced in
the district of Columbia, so that the
attorney general could have direct
personal supervision, or in the fed
eral courts in Kansas, but the latter
form was finally selected as most
desirable to all parties concerned.
Judge Thatcher and Mr.. Denni-
son, representing the NJ, X. 81 7.
railroad, were in Washington after
the order was made. They both
admitted that the question was one
of law, that ought for the best inter-
ests of all to be speedily and finally
set at rest. They eyinced no desire
to evade the arbitration of their
rights. They exhibited 8 willing
ness to facilitate the hearing by all
means Ia their power, aud neither
they nor the agents of any other
corporation, directly nor indirectly,
nor any person in their behalf, at
any time, showed any inclination
or desire to thwart any legislation
or to procure or defeat any federal
appointment.
Had they felt any such wish it
could not have availed them, for
the whole matter had gone irrevo-
cably into the Jurisdiction of the
courts by the JOINT action of Sena-
tor CroZier and myself in the ear
Hest practicable days of the session.
/ have thus detailed the history
of this great litigation at Washing
ton not to magnify the unimportant
part which / bore in its inception,
or to assert the good faith which
manifested toward my constituents,
but as an act of justice to exsSena-
tor Crozier, to whom, more than to
any other, thanks are justly due.
1t is unnecessary for me to add that
my exposition is wholly without
his knowledge, and possibly may
not reoeiYe his approval.
The people of Kansas are sensi-
tive, but they are generous. While
they arc quick TO punish fault,
they do not hesitate to acknowledge
and repair q wrong. 1t Is not often
that the result so soon approves the
deed. The appeal of truth to time
is always snre, but IL is sometimes
slow. By the early accomplish
ment of all that the most sanguine
settlers dared to hope, in this in
stance the action of their represen-
tative has received most cOnvinc-
ing and triumphant vindication.
Faithfully yours,
Aug. "a, 1874. JNo. j. INGALLS,.
Current GsBOsh.ss