The morning times., 1897-02-23

explanation. and thea said: rs there any
one here who desires to deny that this
property contained in the Perrne grant
is not TO go TO the Florida and East Coast
Railroad Company Is there anyone here
who will deny that there is no paper in
existence transferring the land from the
Perrines TO the railroad company in the
event the grant was made?"'
Judge Holcombe began TO explain how
poor the Perrine heirs were and how neces-
sary it was for them to have money to
settle all the land in conformity with the
law and get il under cultivation before
they could get patent.
Yes hut where does the railroad come
in?'' inquired Senator Tillmau, while Sena-
tor Villas switched around in his chair.
Senator Carter appeared to get interested,
but Senator Berry maintained a very placid
countenance. Judge Holcombe appeared to
get more in earnest and a trifle piqued
at the persistency OF his interrogation
THE Perrines had some old friends
among the railroad company people and
succeeded IN getting the rail- DAD company
Interested so that they agreed to aid in
securing the patent They could get set
tiers TO come on The land. and had money
to help open up the country"
lis there no agreement, expressed or
implied, that the rail- oad company was to
get some Of the land for their help" the
attorney was asked by his foImer ques-
tioner.
Judge Holcombe admitted that there
was an ETecment. He did Lot have with
him, but woIld bring ii tothe next meeting
of the committee, and have it read and
placed on file.
He was asked 10 tell something about
the agreement, and ne explained that
one-half of the property was TO 20 abso-
lutely 10 the Perrine heirs. Out Of the
oSher half the settlers were to get tier
share, and then the balance was 10 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
estcd
This grant reads TO Henry Perrine and
his associates. Now, in the first place, one
half is TO go 10 the peuInes; 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 HoIcombe nodded assent.
1t was at this point that Senator Tillman
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 1t can be
a matter of record,'' demanded Senator
Tnlman.
Judge Holcombe raised his right hand
and Senator Dubois administered the oath.
The examination OF Mr.. Robinson was re-
sumed. He claimed that it was under
stood that a secret contract existed he
tween the Perrines. the railroad company,
and other persons. This ne had heard OF
but had not seen. lie said that many per
sons had filed protests with the general
land office against the grant to the Per
rines. These protests were in the form
of affidavits.
Mr.. Lionberger here went over some of
the papers in the case. and banded forth
what purported to be protests Of settlers.
They are all matter of record, are they
not?" inquired Senator Villas.
1t was acknowledged that all the papers
in the case were already on file, but Sen
ator Tilhman announced that he did not
want 70 seeallthe mass ofevidencc printed,
because there was too much of it. He
raised large batch Of documents from the
table and exhibited it.
We only want what is necessary he
said.
Mr.. Lionberger asserted that he had
never seen any affidavits 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 q true one, he remarked. 1t
is in my own handwriting, andI know that
the original was mailed to Senator Call.
Senator Carter wanted 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 hiss possession,
and said it was improved by a small log
cabin, twelve by fifteen feet. 1t had no
window, except in the gable end.
Have you fireplace IN it?'' asked Sen
ator Carter.
No, SIR
Have you stOve?'
mo, sir; but"
"Oh, see,'' interposed the Senator,
"you have place for ONE All present
began to laugh.
Have you any Of the land under cul-
tivation?'
Yes, sir. / have two acres cleared.
There are some trees planted, but have
several Thousand trees heeled in"
Another paper was next produced and
banded MI Robinson. twas an agreement
between himself and the railroad company
in which he agreed to withdraw from the
fight against the Perrines in consideration