New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-24
ARGUING A BIG LAND SUIT.
ATTORNEY GENERAL HARMON's FIRST
SPEECH IN THE SUPREME COURT.
THE OWNERSHIP OF AN ENTIRE COUNTY VI
TEXAS COVERING MORE THAN 100000
.c,rS AZ crAxr IN THE CASE.

THE OWNERSHIP OF AN ENTIRE COUNTY OF
TEXAS. COVERING MORE THAN 100000
ACRES AT STAKE IN THE CASE
Washington, Oct. 23-At.orney-Generai har-
mons first argument In the Supreme Court OF Tue
United States was made to-day when ne opeheu
the discussion of the case OF the United states
against the State of Texas brought 10 determine
the ownership of l.5ll576 acres Of land known as
Greer County. Texas. which Is claimed py 'he
state. The suit was begun in 1890 under the au-
thority of the act OF Congress providing tenn
porary government for the Territory or okia-
homa. but has not, until this term OF court
reached a state where 1t was ready for argument
At the suggestion Of the Attorney General four
hours on a side were allowed for the argument
three counsel to be heard on side. Under this
arrangement Solicitor-General Conrad Will JOIN
the Attorney General and General Edgar Aheh'
special counsel for the United States ana eA-A'-
torney General Garland will take part with Az
torney-General Crane and George Clark In the
argument for Texas.
In openinp the case for the United states. At
torney-Genera Harmon spoke TWO hours' occupy
ing the attention Of the court for hair OF the t'e
ouottaa n his side He Used. in presenting the
foc,s as they were asserted by the Government. a
series of maps on a frame. There was some coH-
fusion In selecting the maps from time 70 'nhe'
which led the Attorney-General to explain apoio-
retically: Counsel have prepared wilderness OF
maps. Your Honors." to which the Chiei justice
responded, Certainly wilderness
At another time Justice Gray complained that
he could not distinguish the lines on the map
exhibited.
Your Honor" suggested the Attorney-Ieh-
eral ''it is only a bird s-eye view. But am
hid p1a1f no Justice
The Attorney General reviewed the history OF
the boundary line in dispute, which had its
beginning in the treaty between the united
states and Spain concluded on FEBRUARY ~
1919 and proclaimed two years later when pro
vided that the boundary line between the W.
countries west of the Mississippi shoud loiow
1.-The course of the Rio RoXo westward 10 'hs
degree OF longitude 100 west from Lonuoh anu
% from Washington; then. crossing tne saiu
BED River and running thence by line que
north 10 the River Arkansas; thence, ioioWlhs
the course of the southern bank OF the Arkansas
TO it's source, in latitude AZ north ana t'e G
by that parallel of latitude to the South sea.
The whole being as laid down IN Meiisn ; map
of the United States. published at Phhaoeiphi"'
improved to January l. 1918 .,
The contention of the United States is that the
various lines laid down in the map were n t
correct. principally in that the Red RIVER Oh .le
map was not the stream intended, ana that inc
Tooth meridian was not correctly placed II was
asserted that these statements were proven ps
the evidence taken by two or three coiiis ~, 4,
ers appointed to survey the boundary, anu ua'
Texas by series Of acts had acquesceu III the
position assumed by the United States
When the Attorney General had nhlsheu' ne
presentation Of the for Texas was begun ny
George Clark, but he had barely Time 10 STATE
the claims of the State when the hour for al
iournment arrived and the Court rose me mrs,
and principal proposition advanced was that th ne
treaty of 1919 between Spain ana the onileu
States having prescribed IN plain ana uhailoisu-
Gus terms that the boundary lines between me
two Nations as therein indicated should be as iala
in
man Was amended TO the treaty and became a
oart thereof 1t is fruitless now to inquire iurther
as to tie location Of the true Tooth meridian OF
longitude or which branch OF the ked river Is
Tooth degree of longitude west from Greenwich
approximately seventy miles below. and east OF
the forks Of Red River as now known, ana Is
nrivies and successors, regardless OF other facts
The argument will be continued Tomorrow ana
extend into Friday.