The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-05-18
MINNESOTA PINE,
secretary Smith Somewhat Diseusted-He
Does Not know Congressman Baldwin. :

5a# MINNESOTA PINE. -..z-' :.
secretary Smith Somewhat Diseusted-He
Does Not know Congressman Baldwin.
W WASHINGTON, D. c., May 18TH
Especial 1.-The I4ibaene's publication of
the list of examiners of Chippewa pine
lands has thrown bomb into the pine
'1s1d camp, and it is questionable now
'hether these appointments will be
made by Secretary Smith or new men
Will be chosen. On the secretary's
sable this afternoon were the appoint
m l just as scheduled exclusively in
the the Tribune several days ago. Smith
was also about to sign them when the
la7ban1e called. When the interview
was over Smith said he would make a
further investigation. .
If l had it to do over again." he
sid, II would not appoint single man
from tf Minnesota. I'd appoint all from
the South or some other State. T am
satisfied that there has been a good
deal of rotteness in the pine land mat
ter, and I want to appoint men who
have never been under the influence of
any pine land ring. I don't mean that
there are no honest men in Minnesota,
but | want men who are honest and
who l know can be trusted.''
4 Secretary Smith seemed to have the
most indistinct idea of the whole mat
ter. He asked who Congressman
Baldwin was and wound up his inquiry
Iby demanding on which side of the
pine land steal he was to be found. He
seemed to have forgotten that Baldwin
had written out his views on the case
and submitted them and that the pa
pers were there in his desk. In truth
the entire matter has been in the
| hands of Commissioner Lamoreaux and
Smith has only the haziest idea of it..
But he smells q mouse and he said,
| satYH ithin. the past few days some one,
Fsonle congressman or somebody has
been here trying to buy this pine. I
don't know definitely who the man is,
but TIL tell you one. thing, there will
not be one stick Of that pine sold until
I'm satisfied there is no job behind it. -
Secretary Smith went through the
list of names as he held a copy of the
1rabu1ae, and naming over several
southern men, Long, of Alabama, Hall,
Of Georgia, and others, he said he
knew they were good men, honest and
intelligent. Nearly, if not quite, all
the men named applied for other jobs
and were given this to satisfy them
and in several instances because they
were thought to be specially well fit
ted. Not more than two or three are
| professional timber men. -.
Smiths idea is that any intelligent
man with a few days. practice can esti.
mate the quantity of stumpage. Smith
said he could do it. He would count
the number of trees on an acre, meas.
sure several of the trees and average
the rest. He believed it was more i'm
! portant that men be honest than that
| they be expert.
I'm not going to have any crooked
ness in this DEAL" he said. ''If neces
sary I shall have little secret service
of my own and I think, I'll get onto
about all that goes on. I can approach
my own agents with brides, if there is
reason to believe things are not right
Asked as to whether the Chippews
Indians we're to have a representative
among the examiners Smith said he
did not know. He said he knew moth
ing about any treaty or agreemen
with these Indians and it is possible
that when Bottineau and others arrive
they may get a fair hearing. Smith
was surprised to learn that W. M
Campbell was not satisfactory to thu
Indians. He supposed Campbell was ;
good man. He displayed considerable
interest in the case and seems dis
posed to do the fair thing.
Il don't think anybody will question
my Democracy" he said, ''but, as ];
matter of fact, if the best fitted mel
4 for the examinerships were Republi
cans would appoint them. This i
not question Of politics but square
business. I said before would not APP
point any man from Minnesota.
don't mean that exactly. I meant
wanted to get men who were as far re
& moved from local timber interests a
& possible. I also forgot that Judg'
. Lochren is here. Z shall be guided
!. very much by what he tells me abou
. Minnesota men. He is an excellen
{ s man, and while I don't know how goot
y a Judge Of men he is, / know that he i
3 good man. =