The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-23
ELtlNs INSEw MEx,co.

Judge Henry Waldo, Er.Ch,or JustIco Of
tho Territory, Pays Him u Tributp-The
Slanders Of Political Eaoinirs Nefu,od
ny a Distinguished Democrat.
Tho following letter wti,ton without
tho knowledge oil Hon. 4. b. Elkins, Ia
signod BY q we'll known Democrat. who
was chief Justice Of tho supreme court
oil Now Mexico. II explain, itselL Il
was writion before tho legislature mot,
on tho writer hoaring that somo unjust
attack was TO DO madN on Mr. Elkins,
II has been withhold from publication
because 1t was not considered necessary
to MIR. Elkina' election, but IN now pub.
lishod to rcfnto tho inlsohoods which
aro still circulated:
To he hii'or Ofbr hi.l,taa,etr. Wh,tling, ". Va.
StR:-f havo boon told that parties.
ior tho purpose OF injurlng Hon. s. u.
Elklns, now OF your state, contemplate
publishing or circulating charges 70.
ilecting upon him and drawing IN aues.
ton his integrity In connection with
private land claims In New Mexico dur.
Ing hia residence here. can hardly
crodit tho correctness OF tho iniorma.
ton.
l have long boon resident. Of tho tor.
ritory, and bolievo myself thoroughly
acquainted with all its prominent citi.
zens who have lived 'horo in any limo.
lnJnly, 1873, at Santa Fe. again mot
AR. Esk'ns. whom Ind personally
known, and was thrown into intimate
personal contact with him until ho On.
tered Congress. to which no was elected
delegate luter In that yoar. IIo was at
that timo the most conspicuous figure In
New Mexico. llo had been United
States attorney and attorney general OF
the territory; no was ut the head OF tho
bar; he had established himself In tho
unquestioned and undivided leadership
Of the Republican party In New Mexico.
l was in n position thoroughly To
iamilarize myself with his methods OF
business and habits OF life. Not
breath oil suspicion had attached 10 him
In his public or private career. Had
there boon oppression or corruption in
Office by him. Improperly OF proics.
sional conduct on his part, or wrong
doing as m individual, should have
known 1t or have hoard OF 1t. His life
was without reproach and his character
without stain. He enjoyed in tho
highest degree tho confidence and
esteem OF tho people OF every class and
station. IN business matters, his pro.
bity was universally recognized and his
ability and energy coupled with that
had made him eminently successful.
lie had devoted his attention partly 10
land grant matters in q professional
and business way, fold OF operation
which easily and naturally opened itself
to clear.headed and far.sigh,ed man.
such as he 10, aud in dealing with land
grants no discovered sagacity and dis.
elimination in the selection and loca.
ton OF properties which in subsequent
years was rewarded by large profits upon
his investments. JIG but acted upon n
sound business judgment and embraced
opportunities as they presented them.
selves, and did no. transcend the bounds
OF what was proper. legitimate and
honorable.
During the time I knew him alter
meeting him here until he became dele
gate the second time. alter which he
was rarely here, there was not and
never had been any suggestion OF unfair
dealing or even OF sharp practice by
him in connection with land grant mat
tiers. nor did l ever hear OF any covering
tho period OF his residence previous to
my coming here, and il there had been
l would nave known it or heard OF it.
Amy insinuation to tho contrary is out
ragcously wrong and unjust. Any
charge or report Rejecting upon his
standing and integrity in connection
with land grant affairs, l characterize
as grossly malicious and untrue.
This letter Is written from 4 sense OF
duty. Mr. Elkins.and myself do not
agree politically, but l stand towards
him in relations Of personal friendship,
and cannot endure that any injustice
be done him without making a protest
in tho iutorcst OF common decency and
fair play. II you deem proper you arc
authorized TO publish this letter.
Yours truly,
Henry l. WALno.
Santa FL. Nttr MEXICO, Jan. 5, 1895.