National Republican., 1883-05-03
SECRETARY AND SENATOR.
The Former is I'm Fairly Good Humor,
While the Latter Seems 10 be Getting
Mad.

The Former is I'm Fairly Good Humor,
While the Latter Seems TO be Getting
Mad.
In conversation with reporter yesterday,
on the subject of the Hill letter, Secretary
Teller said he was still resolved to take no
notice of any portion of it that is local or per-
sonal, as he did not think tho public had
sufficient interest in them. He said, how
ever, that as to the Yellowstone Park lease,
he took the advice of his assistant Mr.. Joslyn,
and of Mr.. McCammon, the law officer of the
department and that the lease was in their
opinion in accordance with tho law. Mr..
Teller went on to say: 1T does not, as tho
senator assumes, give control of the park to
the lessees any number Of other leases may
be made, in every respect as advantageous to
the lessees as this one. No exclusive privi-
lege is given, and no advantage is given in
sites. The lease covers sites for hotol and
stage stations, aggregating ten acres others
may, If they desire, have the same.
"As to the rulings of the department in favor
of corporations in tho matter of land grants,
the senator made only general charge con-
cerning q matter of which he could know no
moro than the general public. The rulings
have all been made to conform to the decis-
ions of the supreme court and the opinions of
the attorney general concerning the duty Of
tho executive departments of the govern
nent in that respect" Secretary Teller
furthermore remarked that he is not author
lied to legislate, but simply to administer the
laws--whether such laws are in accordance
with his views or not-and that Senator Hill
might have ascertained what are his views
on this subject from the last annual report of
the department Of the Interior.
Senator Hill left Washington last evening
for his home in Colorado. Before his dopar-
ture he was asked if he had anything further
to say at present with reference to his contro-
versy with the secretary of the interior. He
replied. Every statement contained in my
letter is strictly true. Mr.. Teller will natur-
ally seek to break its force by a general de-
nial, but upon some Of the points he will have
to face the evidence. The effort to make q
diversion by an indirect charge--(on the al
legged authority of friends of Secretary Tel
ler')-that bought my seat in the senate Is un-
worthy of notice. and has no foundation to rest
upon. If it had, he would have used 1t against
me long ago. The truth is neither Senator
Chilcott nor any responsible person has pre-
sumed to make such u charge. Tho nearest
approach to il was contained in card from ex-
Senator Chafiee, in which he said that my cleo
tion had, according to my own statement, cost
me $26, 900. This statement was so vague that
never deemed it worthy Of notice, since Mr..
Chaffee might have referred to the legitimate
contributions made by mo to my party in the
state. Whatever charges l have preferred
against Mr.. Teller have been made over my
signature. If lie will adopt like course and
be responsible for the statements that fur
nished, used or caused TO be used money in
any corrupt of illegitimate manner connected
with my election to the senate, i will afford
him at the earliest possible day an opportunity
to prove the charge"