Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-16
Iamar's Last Act.

Mr.. Lamar signalized his retirement
from the Office of secretary Of the inte-
rior by removing, as the last act Of his
administration, the landclcrk OF the
land Office, Mr.. lie Barnes. The dis
missed official had held the position for
eight years and discharged its duties
acceptably and faithfully. Before the
present administration came into power
he had became known as an advocate of
land reform, thereby incurring the dis
pleasure OF The land-grant corporations,
the syndicates and the private land
claimants. When Sparks was appointed
commissioner he found lie Barnes a
most valuable help in acquiring
the Information he needed,
and the two worked together
in full accord and sympathy.
1t was the land clerk who furnished the
information and matters of detail on
which the land-grant forfeiture bills
adopted by the last congress were based.
He framed for Mr.. Lamar his reply to
Dorsey, involving a statement of funda-
mental principles and an announcement
vi "piNO pOiiNys iiO piSp'iOt
the public land portion of tho presi-
dents message to tho second session of
the last congress, formulating and de-
fining the public land policy of the ad-
ministration at its head. In short, ho
had shown himself a most capable, USE
full and upright official, with the inter-
ests of the government and the people
at heart.
Being such an official he had earned
the displeasure of all the powers arrayed
against reform OF the land policy, and
they have steadily pursued him. Re-
ferring to his removal he said it was u
mistake to say that it was summary.
There had been many demands for his
official head during his term of Scr
vice, but it remained for Mr.. Lamar, tho
professed champion of reform, who in
his last report sought to arrogate TO
himself all the credit of what had been
accomplished in the way of reform, to
sacrifice this faithful and Jealous official
TO the hostility of the land plunderers of
every class. Was this action necessary
to carry out the full terms of contractp
Sparks YVES driven out after Lamar had
been invited by the president to accept
the vacant justiceship in the supreme
court, and now that the ques-
tion of his confirmation is pending
in the senate the efficient adjutant of
the ex-commissioner is deposed. Moan
time unearned lands have been turn cd
over to railroads, and the policy OF re-
form has seemed to como to a halt, Is
there in all this the fultillment of an
agreement by which Mr.. Lamar is to
secure the votes of railroad-attorney
and land-grant senators? This is most
naturally suggested, and the sequel
will show how far the suggestion has
warrant. The circumstantial evidence
at hand does not put Mr.. Lamar in a
more favorable light before tho country.
Several members of congress have
protested to the president against the
removal of lie Barnes, but thus far Mr..
Cleveland has made no response. He is
not likely to do so, for tho reason
that Lamar will convince him that tho
removal was necessary, on the same
grounds upon which he sought to justify
the demand for ousting Sparks, and will
advise Mr.. Cleveland TO take no notice
of the matter. The president will do
nothing that might prove inimical to
the chances OF the friend for whom he
has "positive affection" even though
it should be obvious to all the world that
his friend has for his own advantage be-
trayed his confidence and sacrificed tho
interests Of the people. To-day, if the
president is not heard from, it is ex-
pected that resolution will be offered
in the house Of representatives call
ing for an investigation of La
mars last removal, but this, also,
will probably amount to nothing.
The democratic majority will be
very nearly solid against it,,
and if the corporations are taking an
interest in the cause of Lamar there
will be republicans who cannot be made
to see any wisdom in the proposed in
vestigation. LeBarnes is out, and he is
out for good. The indications are that
Lamar will be confirmed. When that
is done the country may be able to learn,
without a special investigation, the true
inwardness Of what has transpired in
connection with the general land office
since Mr.. Lamar was invited to take a
place on the supreme bench.