Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-27
PINE LAND RING,
WHAT rs NOT BEING DONE no Ex-
POSE THE PLUNDERERS.


1t Looks as Though the Big Fish WouI,
Escape Through the Statute of Limita
tions-What District Attorney BilIson Il
Doing-The Mile Laos Reservation Oral
Time Called on Col. Piatt II. Walker
lie Can a Tale Unfold, and is INVITED t.
to Do Se-Pine Lands Which Few PEG.
pie Know About-Shall the Governmen,
BE Robbed without Redress.
It will be recollected that the GLOBE ir
The issue of the 7th of October last, con.
tanned an interview with Mr.. Billson, United
States district attorney for the district of
Minnesota, for the purpose of obtaining in.
formation why the numerous cases of pine
land trespasses that had been reported by
the agents of the government in 1877 had
not beea prosecuted, and the timber thieves
brought into court and required to disgorge
a portion Of the value of the pine timber cut
and stolen from the public lands. We were
at that time given by Mr.. Billson what ap
peared to be satisfactory reason for the de-
lay in The prosecution of said suits. s'That
the statute of Limitation had been set up as
intervening, etc., At that interview MIR.
Billson stated as follows, IN substance:
"Wr have however, recently received in
structions to go ahead with certain cases, not
coming under the bar and already partially
worked up, and the parties interested will soon
be called upon to come forward and settle or
take the consequences OF legal proceedings"
From the above statement. the only le-
least to be brought against all parties who
had been guilty of trespass for the years
1872 and 1873, and that the same should be
commenced during the present term of the
United States circuit court-or at all events,
before the expiration of 1878-that att of the
cases that had been reported, and the evil
dence in full ready, or only partially ready,
could be saved to the government
till such time as a decision
upon the questions raised before Justices
Miller and Dillon were finally disposed of
10y the supreme court of the United States.
The year 1878 is very near it's close. The
question that presents itself to our readers
is: Has the law branch of the government,
through MIR. B1llson, taken tue necessary
steps to protect the rights of the United
States? Bring all these plunderers, high
and low, rich and poor, and more especially
those who do and have occupied prominent
places in the State, and who have been the
leading and principal operators in these
timber thefts for years long past, and dur
ing the years 1872 and 1873. These identi-
cal men, whose names are we'll known, who
have grown rich from this notorious theiv-
ing of pine, amounting to many millions of
feet. This fact the people wish to know,
and will not be satisfied till
it is known, nor will they be content with
any attempt to cover up the corrupt work
ings Of this notorious ring; whole or of
Individually, has this been done?
1t is true that there was published in our
columns on the goth Of the present month
a list of the names of persons comprising
individuals and firms to the number of
twenty-eight or more, amounting to some
$38, 900.
We are in possess ion of information that
we know to be reliabe-that the suits last
referred to do not by any means cover the
amounts of trespass for the years 1872 and
1878, and that there are many persons and
firms against whom suits ought to be brought
at once. Il is further fact that
the names of these parties and the amount
of trespass; and years in which the plunder-
ing was communicating 1872 and 1879
has long since been given to the commits
sioner OF the general land Office, and we are
authoritiyely informed that the same has
been referred back to the proper officer, or
officers of the United States for action in
Minnesota. This being the case, why this
delay? OF is it an attempt to cover up this
outrageous villainy, and screen and protect
these parties from exposure, influenced from
personal considerations, or for political influ-
ence or favors?
We call to mind an article which appeared
shortly after the nomination of w. D.
Washburn for Congress, few months
since, which was published as an
editorial in the Minneapolis Lltma6ernan,
edited and published by Col. P. B. Walker
endorsing the nomination of Mr.. Wash
burn for Congress. Col Walker said:
The nomination of W. D. Washburn for
Congress is matter over which every lumber
man can afford rejoice. Their immediate
and direct interests involved in the proposed
legislation for the next two years, make 1t
matter of first class importance to them TO Sc
cure an able and jealous advocate in the ma
tional halls. = If the departments at
Washington are to be occupied 6y such tel5oe's as
SEIZURE there is needed in Congress 81
man who will denounce his 'utrages.
The important matter of Interstate commerce
is to be carefully and thoroughly adj listed
and thousand wrongs made right which do
now most previously Cypress the lambermen in
particulars and a hnndred other ways, have
the lum bermen direct interest, and for the
discharge of all and singular of these duties
there is no man in the district fully
qualified than Gen. W. d. Washburn, who is
thoroughly identified with the business, and
perfectly acquainted with all its necessities.
His nomination is largely due to the influence
of the lumbermen of the district, who rallied
to his support with hardly dissenting voice.
Upon more careful reading, it will be
seen, that there was more intended in its
meaning and scope than would appear at
first glance. The fact is well known, that
Mr.. Washburn feared that this highly favor
able Endorsement by Col. Walker might
operate unfavorably, for the reason that the
fact might be believed by tho voters III this
district. That one of the principal reasons
why Mr.. Washburn SO greatly desired to go
to Congress, and his principal tool and
henchman, Fletcher and many others, were
so earnest in their efforts to
secure Washburn's nomination and
election was that Washburn
would be willing tool to aid himself and
others out of any corrupt matters in connec-
ton with pine land trespass or dishonorable
practices to which the pine land ring may
have Or now belong.
TIME CALLED ON COL WALKER.
It may be well also to inquire what inter
est Mr.. 7. B. Walker is subscribing or ldenti-
fed with? There are many branches and
ramifcations of this ring, but all have one
purpose in view-to plumber all they can
from the government and Indian reservation
lands n yyou11 ba a vorU int araa tipfy ravn1a-