The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-13
EVERY EvENING-oNE CENI
A SENSATIONAL ORDER.
Commissioner Lamereaux Summa-
rilly Suspended.
Made Known Contents OF a Decision
Before Promulgation.


Washington, March IA sensational
order repudiating acts of the general land
office in the Chicago Lake front case and
which probably will be followed imme.
dlately by the peremptory dismissal of
SllaS w. Lalnoreaux of Wisconsin, cofn-
missioner OF the general land Office, was
signed by the secretary OF the interior
today. The order directs that al, pro-
ceedings in the ease, subsequent 20 the
fling OF the application 20 locate Mckee
scrip on the lake front be Icscindcd and
annulled and il orders n new trial before
the pew commissioner, not yet appointed,
within three days after notice to all
parties
The action is based on the purported
opinion OF Mr. Lamorcaux, given out by
him To one of the parties in interest three
days before the time appointed by himself
for the formal announcement of the de-
cision and the notice TO the other inter
ested parties. The land on which IL was
proposed TO locate claims by means of
this scrip is in the heart OF the city of
Chicago and of immense value.
The department today made the follow
ing official statement on the Chicago lake
front matter: On the 22d day of Febru-
airy, Secretary Francis directed that judg-
ment in the case be suspended until the
further order of this department. The
order has been published. The secretary
was thereafter Informed that no decision
had been rendered, none was found in the
proper office of the land department,
none appears in the letter press book
where all decisions are to be copied before
promulgation.
In response to a telegram from the assis-
tant attorney general asking Commits
sioner Lamereaux If he had given out n
copy of his opinion in the lake front case,
If so, when and To whom, Mr.. Lamereaux
replied: "On the Goth, signed the opinion
and had number of copies made in the
same day To be given TO the press on the
2}d, which date i had announced that the
decision would be promulgated. One of
the copies on the Goth / gave to party
with permission for him TO use Ii after the
decision should be promulgated, but in no
case To be used until after promulgation.
This was done on the 20ths on the 22d
the secretary suspended promulgation.
(Signed) > W. Lamcrcaux
Although it does not appear To whom
the copy was given, yet as Mr. Lamoreaux
did not disclose the name of the person
although requested TO do SO, and report
ell merely that he gave IL to "a party, Ii il
To be presumed that such party was not
without interest i'm the controversy.
Moreover, before this department. was
advised that any decision had been signed
counsel for the scrip holders requested
that such an opinion be promulgated.
knowledge of the opinion is, therefore,
traceable TO them.
The impropriety Of giving out copy OF
an unrendered, unpromulgated decision t.
one of the parties To IL controversy in the
advance of the day set for its formal an
nouncement is too obvious to require com
ment.
Mr.. Lamoreaux states that he gave q
copy to party three days in advance t.
the time appointed by himself for Its pro-
mitigation in the usual and proper way.
Neither faith nor credit can attach to an
opinion under such circumstances.
Judge Lamoreaux left hero "a week oi
more before the change of administra
ton, the statement being made that ho
was in critical condition from nervous
exhaustion and before his departure ht
rendered his resignation to the President.
In view of today's developments it may
be that he will be dismissed.