New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-06
STEPHEN B. ELKINS'S CAREER
FALSE INSINUATIONS AGAINST HIS HON
EsTY SWEPT AWAY.
THOMAS b. CATRON. DELEGATE FROM NEW
MEXIcO. SPEAKS OF MR.. ELKINS'S BUSINESS
CAREER-HE HAD NO INTEREST IN
FRAUDULENT LAND GRANTS AND
STAR ROUTE CONTRACTS


FRAUDULENT LAND GRANTS AND
STAR ROUTE CONTRACTS
Thomas b. Catron Delegate-elect from New-Me&-
leo TO the National House OF Representatives. mas
recently been in Washington. working tor the au-
mission OF New-Mexco to the Union lie Is
friend of Stephen Il. Elkins. and in an mlerVie"
with "A correspondent for a newspaper OF EiKins'
W. Va. Mr.. Elknss home, he spoke at length
about Mr. Eknss career In New-Mexico' anu 'e
fued some of the vague charges that nave pee"
brought against the eminent Republican IN con-
necton with his present candidacy Tor 'he "es'
Virginia Senatorship. Mr.. Catron SAID;
IL have known Mr. Elkins intimately for more
than thirty years We graduated in the same class
at the Missouri University In college MT E'h'nS
was studlous a hard worker and popular with inc
professors and students. Though the youngest man
in the class ne took the highest standing ne
began life without anything but his education anu
prorcssion During his residence in New-MeXico 1
was Intimately associated with MIN. MI h'iN'''
enjoyed the largest practice OF any lawyer !" INC
Territory and was considered. up to the time ne
moved to West Virginia. one Of the apiest lawyers
In the West. He also practised law IN "ashiNsto"
after Going out of Congress- both before the Hu-
,,rcnle Court of the United States and in the de-
partments Mr. Elkins was president OF the firs'
National Bank of Santa Fe for thirteen years. uui
ing which time it enjoyed unexampied prosperity
and success 1T was then one OF the most success-
ful banks in the West.
..Wha; official position did Mr.. Elkins hold while
he resided in New-Mexlco?" Mr. Catron was asked
He Was a member of the Legislature D!strct-
Attorney Attorney General United states
District Attorney under Presidents Johnson
and Grant and was twice elected TO Congress, the
last time while he in Europe. and in the lace
of his decnation to be a candidate In all tnese
positions Mr. Elkns acquitted himself with aoill'y
and honor. / think it may be fairly said that MT
Elkns during the time he lived In Ne"-MeAico'
was the most popular man i'll the TERRITORY! He
was esteemed respected and admired by members
of his profession and the people in general. he
was an exemplary citizen, public-spirited ana eA-
erted a wide influence in public affairs Wnen ne
was made Secretary of War by President Harri-
son. there was rejoicing all over New-Mexico al MS
promotion. The leading business men OF santa re
without distinction of party the Board or trade
Chamber of Commerce and all the Federal ana Ter
ri,orial officers Joined in hearty telegram OF con-
CALCULATIONS to him. After his marriage 10 MisS
Davis now nearly twenty years ago. ne always
claimed West Virginia as his home he began MS
Investments in West Virginia In 1872 and mas never
voted elsewhere
Reing asked about the insinuations made against
Mr. lslkns in regard his stay in New-Mexico'
especialy in connection with Mexican land grants
and the Star Route" cases Mr.. Catron said;
Yes | have seen some of these statements.
They we're also made in vague and general wa!
about the time he was appointed Secretary Of War.
NJ
tbem Mr. Elkns was confirmed by the Senate I'M
mediately and without objection. Had there been
any foundation for these charges. this would nave
been Impossible. Indeed, nobody believed them nor
does now.
The reporter asked: 40 you know anything
about these insinuations charges against MI Eli
kins and IL there is any foundation for them?
Mr. Catron replied with some emphasis: i Know
there is no truth in them. and no foundation Tor
them whatever. I will state further. and every
member of the bar and every good citizen o. the
Territory who lived there then will bear me out in
saving that during the time Of his residence IN New
Mexico Mr. Elkins never guilty of any wrong
doing. irreguarty or improperly in the practice OF
his profession in private life and no reputaoie
Will MAKE Se Vsrue and general charges against
public men, and especially men OF pustf, e,ued 70
nave occurred more than twenty years ago and 2,vo
miles away. have often thought that nj; Eih NM
he said he had no answer for mere generalities
There is foundation for the eharge anore Hs
Route matters During the time Mr. Ekins reslueu
in Washington. after his second term IN C9siess 81
law for So n ana Of S
corporations and people among them maj cGnra tha
mails and as attorney argued their cases before the
department, and when IT was nee, dyrsctiv or
nSree Su' ne any contract for Carrying the mails
he simply discharged the duties OF attorney ~, anv
other attorney would have done and nothing more,
and neither the PosmaserGsneral no. s the overn
sn claimed that he was in any Mh wa sSs ss stay
Of any T,eguary eK In aed Span M
The reporter asked: How about the Me~''a"
II am Very glad you ask this question as Ian am
able 10 set this matter at rest MI Eikins' uupms
Of Mexican land grants. but in no instance did ne
do so except where there was good tue, anu VIZ ne
tn toe NewMexico The land grants that Mr. EIkns
owned were never in question as 10 MEXICAN land
grants. but In these cases the title to the same
sustained by the courts a nr nsna
ton that he had anything to do with any snou
len, land grant BART e ow MsS Of the famous Maxwell
land grant This Is not true in any sense MI III
chasers of this property and in defending the title
in the courts he OF course got inc ,h anu sents
The title 10 this property was not only sustained
by the of the TERRITORY but by the s,at"s
and the as sae Mr. Ekns have made
saainst the Supreme Court Of the United States ana
Mr. Cleveland for dspossessing them unaer 'he ue
c:0n Of the cI bs s'f Esns did anything
IN New. Mexico that initiates in the least against
o os as am oca His private lie from bChOOd has
Seen pure and stainless and his official life beyond
as better business reputation than Mr. Elkns. His
credi; is the highest All over the country re mas
OF his business undertakings He Is very ap. r anu
ence. is scholarly. widely read. and strong ana
mo Republican in the country exerted more In
Auence than Mr. Elkins in the last three Natiomai
siwavs abe TO impress them and is natural leader.
He has always been contributor 10 enaf' E aJ
Consistent member OF the Church OF the DiscpIes
ever since he was in college He has invested largely
in West Virginia properties is interes.es m ie over
,bc eitIire Of the State and II elected will make an
seat9 one that will DO h Gsea West snG vna
friends have reason to be proud of him.