Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-03-02
A PROMINENT DEMOCRAT
Writes OF and About Mr.. EIkius ia
Complimentary Manner.

Complimentary Manner.
SANTA FE, n. NJ, Jan. 5, 1906
To the Wheeling Intsnigenesr. Wheeling.
have been told that parties, for
the purpose Of injuring Hon. S. B.
Elkins, now OF your State, coutem-
plate publishing or circulating charges
rejecting upon him and drawing in
question his integrity in connection
with Private Land Claims in New
Mexico during his residence here.
can hardly credit the correctness Of
the information.
have long been a resident of this
Territory and believe myself thor
oughly acquainted with all its proni-
uent citizens who have lived here in
my time.
In July, 1878, at Santa Fe. again l
met Mr.. Elkins, whom had person
ally known and was thrown into init
mate personal contact with him until
he entered Congress. to which he was
elected Delegate later in that year.
He was at that time the most eonSpic-
nous figure in New Mexico. He had
been United States Attorney and At
torney General Of the Territory; he
was at the head Of tie bar; he had es-
tablished himself in the uuquestioned
and undivided leadership Of the Re-
publican party in New Mexico.
| was in position thoroughly to
familiarize myself with his methods
of business and habits Of life. Not a
breath of suspicion had attached 10
him in his public or private career.
Had there been oppression or COL
ruption in office by him. improperly
or professional conduct on his part or
wrong doing as an individual should
have known it or have heard Of It.
His life was without reproach aud his
character without a st,iu. He enjoy
ed i'll the highest degfee the conf
dence and esteem of the people of
every class and station In business
matters, his probity was universally
recognized and his ability and energy
coupled with that had made him emf
nently successful He had devoted
his attention partly to Immigrant
matters in a professional aud business
way, a field of operation which easily
and naturally opened itself to a clear
headed and far-sighted man, such as
he is, and in grants he displayed a
sagacity and discrimination in the Sc.
lection and location of properties
which in subsequent years was re-
warded by large profits upon his in
vestments lie but acted upon
sound business Judgment and en-
braced opportunities as they presented
themselves and did not transcend the
bounds of what was proper legitimate
and honorable
During the time / knew him after
meeting him here until he became
Delegate the second time, after which
he was rarely here, there was not and
never had been any suggestion Of un-
fair dealings or even OF sharp practice
by him in connection with Immigrant
matters, nor did ever hear Of any
covering the period Of his residence
previous to my coming here aud If
there had been would. have known
it or heard Of it Any insinuatiou 10
the contrary is outrageously wrong
and unjust. Any charge or report re-
fecting upon bis standing and in,sg-
rity in connection with land grant
affairs, | characterize as grossly malt
cious and untrue.
This letter iswritten from sense Of
duty. Mr. Elkins and myself do not
agree politically, but ! stand towards
him in relation Of personal friendship
and cannot endure that any injustice
be done him without making a protest
in the interest ofcommon decercy and
fair-play. If you deem proper you
are authorized to publish this letter.
Yours truly,
lSignedl Henry l.. WALDO.