The San Francisco call., 1895-11-06
At Present There Is Not the
Slightest Check on the Rail.
road Grants.
EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION
An Official of the Land Office Resigned
His Position to Assist the
Corporation.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 5.-Secre-
tary of the Interior Hoke Smith by a de-
cision handed down to-day says plainly
that California miners have nothing to
hope for against the ravages of the South
ern Pacific Railroad. His decision can
only be interpreted in one way He will
allow the railroad to continue to deprive
miners of their mineral lands.
Southern California miners filed pro-
test against the selection of mineral land
by the railroad. This protest Secretary
Smith to-day dismissed, saying that the
present mode of railroad selections is all
right in the absence of any other law and
that only Occasionally is the land Sc
lected mineral in character. He says that
these lands from which railroad selections
are made are SO situated that their mineral
or non-mineral character is well known,
or if not known is easily ascertained.
He says the fact that Congress refused
to apply to California the Montana Idaho
law, which provides for a Government
commission to define and classify mineral
lands, is proof presumptive that such law
was not needed, in the opinion of Congress,
and therefore in the absence of such stat
ute he is powerless to proceed in any other
manner than is now employed. This is
equivalent to saying that he will continue
to patent mineral lands to the railroad IN
til Congress forbids him to do it.
THE CALL correspondent telegraphed
several months ago that the visit here of
Ricketts,, Neff, Ralston and others was
made in vain. President Cleveland and
Hoke Smith held out some fairepromises,
but it was predicted at that time that the
railroad patents would continue, despite
these promises. Hoke Smith is partial to
railroads. He used to be railroad attor-
ney and all of his sympathies are with cor
porations. The California miners will con-
tinue to lose their mineral lands until Con-
gress passes some bill similar to that of
Representative Hartman, which now ap-
plies only to Montana and Idaho, Cami-
netti worked zealously to have California
included in this act, but in the conference
committee his efforts were defeated by the
influence OF Huntington, exerted through
some Nevada and Oregon Senators.
Mr.. Huntington has been able to secure
privileges at the Interior Department., and
has succeeded in having his land patents
expedited by paying money to persons
who are familiar with the railroad land
business of the department. One Francis
M. Gideon, while yet an employe of the
Land Commissioners office, made propo-
sition to Railroad Attorney Gates and
VicePresident Tweed in the Mills build
ing, New York, that he would resign his
Government position and assist the South
ern Pacific in its selections if the railroad
would pay him SO much an acre. This
proposition was accepted by the railroad,
and Gideon was employed by them. THE
CALL correspondent has proof of what is
here alleged. The proposition of Gideon,
in his own handwriting, is now in the pos
session of THE CALLS correspondent.
Gideon's railroad work was not under
taken until he had resigned his Govern
ment position, but the proposition to en-
ploy him was made while he was
still In Government service. and
Washington lawyer believes it is a grave
question whether or not Gideon did not
violate the United States law; and on the
side OF the railroad officers who EMPLOYED
him, while they might not be criminaIly
liable, question of moral turpitude is
presented, at least. William Stone. son
of Governor Stone, formerly Commissioner
of the General Land Office, says he was
also approached by Gideon, though he de.
clared that he never received any share of
the money which the railroad paid Gideon.
lie was making complaints against the
latter because he did not receive what
GIDEON promised him. Whether or not
the railroad officials sought to secure
young Stones help for the influence it
might have on the elder Stone does not ap-
pear very plain. THE CALL correspondent
intends to lay these facts before the Com
mittee on Public Lands in Congress this
| winter.