The evening times., 1897-02-22
THE PERR|NE LAND CLAIM
Continued from First Page.

lutely to the Perrine heirs. Out Of the
other half the settlers were to get their
share, and then the balance was TO go to
the Florida & East Coast railway, for
money advanced, and fer the planting Of
the land and furnishing of settlers.
Senator Villas in order to get 1T perfectly
clear before his colleagues also undertook
to explain how the corporation was inter
ested.
This grant reads to Henry Perrine and
his associates. Now, in the first place, one
half is to go to the PerTines: then the
settlers get their share, and it is only the
residue which goes to the railroad and
other persons who have advanced money
and interested themselves to assist the
Perrines. That is the way, is it?'' and
Judge Holcombe nodded assent.
It was at this point that Senator TIlman
said he would like to see the agreement
by which the settlers share was TO be
first deducted, and Judge Holcombe said he
would produce it.
There was some remarks about the state
ment being Unsworn, and the lawyer said
he would swear to it.
Yes, have it sworn, So that it can be
a matter of record,' demanded Senator
Tillman
Judge Holcombe raised his right hand
and Senator Dubois administered the oath
The examination OF Mr.. Robinson was re-
sumed lie claimed that 1t was under
stood that secret contract existed he
tween the Perrines the railroad company,
and other persons This he had heard OF
but had not seen. He said that many per-
sons had filed protests with the general
land office against the grant to the Per
rnes These protests were in the form
of affidavits.
Mr.. LiOnberger here went over some of
the papers in the case, and handed forth
what purported TO be protests OF settlers.
They are all matter OF record, are they
not?" inquired Senator Villas.
It was acknowledged that all the papers
in the case were already on file, but Sen
ator Tilluan announced that he did not
want TO seeaIlt the mass OF feyidence printed,
because there was too much OF it. He
raised large batch OF documents from the
table and exhibited it.
I'VE only want what is necessary" he
said.
Mr. Lionberger asserted that he had
never seen any affidavts among the pro
tests They were all headed copies Of
affidavits and he had never seen the
originals.
Two of them were handed over to Mr..
Robinson who identified one of them as
in his handwriting Il can swear that
this copy is true one, ne remarked. 1t
is in my own hand writing, andI know that
the original was mailed to Senator Call.
Senator Carter wartcd TO know from Mr..
Robinson how he had improved his land,
how much he had held, and how he
had lived on it.
Mr. Robinson described his possession,
and said it was improved by small log
cabin. twelve by fifteen feet. II had no
window, except in the gable end.
Have you fircplacein it?'' asked Sen
ator Carter.
mo, sir
Have you stOve?'
NO, sir; but
''Oh, | see,' interposed the Senator,
"you have a place for one All present
began to laugh.
Have you any of the land under cul-
tivation?"
Yes. sir, I have two acres cleared
There are some trees planted. but have
several thousand trees heeled in"
Another paper was next produced and
banded Mr. Robinson twas at agreement
between himself and the railroad company
in which he agreed to withdraw from the
fight against the Perrines in consideration
of certain improvements Oh land and the
assistance of the railroad company in Sc
curing a grant of the property.
Mr.. Robinson admitted having signed this
paper, but there were several discrepan-
cies in it, which called for fuller inyesti-
CATION than could be made during the re-
naming minutes of the session, which
concluded promptly at noon. The com
mittee then went into executive session
for a few minutes.