San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-13
LAND SENSATION.
Secretary Bliss Takes a Hand in the
Lake Front Affair.


Washington, March 13.-A sensa-
tionaI order repudiating the acts of the
general land office in Chicago, in the
Lake Front case, and which probably
will be followed Immediately by a
peremptory dismissal of w. Lamer-
aux, of Wisconsin, commissioner of
the general land office, was signed by
| Secretary of the Interior Bliss today.
The order directs all proceedings in
the case subsequent to filing applica-
| ton to locate McKeeS' strip on Lake
Front, be rescinded and annulled and
| it orders a new trial. The action is
based on the purported opinion of
LamerauX, given out by him to one of
the parties interested three days be-
fore the time appointed by himself for
the formal announcement of the de-
cision and the giving of notice to the
other interested parties. The land on
which it is proposed to locate the
claims by means of this scrip is in
the heart of the city of Chicago and
immensely valuable, its worth rang
ing all the way from fifteen to thirty
million dollars.
The department today made this Of
fetal statement on the Chicago Lake
Front matter. On the 22nd of Feb
ruary Secretary Francis directed judg-
ment in the case be suspended until
further orders from his department.
The secretary thereafter was inform
ed that no decision had been rendered
and none was found in the proper Of
flee of the land department, and none
appears in the letter press book where
all decisions are required to be copied
prior to their PRONUNCIATION. In re-
Spouse to a telegram from the assist
ant attorney general asking Commits
sioner LamerauX if he had given out
copy of his opinion in the Lake
Front case, and if so, when and to
whom. LamerauX replied: 'On the
Goth | signed an opinion and had
number of copies made the same day
to be given to the press on the Ord,
which date l had announced the de-
cisiOn would be promulgated. One of
the copies of the Goth l gave to a par
ty with permission for him to use it
after the decision was promulgated
but in no case to be used until the pro-
mitigation.
CSigned) s. LAMERAUX."
Although it does not appear to
whom the copy was given, yet, as
LamerauX did not disclose the name
of the person, although requested to
do so, it will be presumed that such
party was not without interest in the
controversy. Moreover, this depart
ment was not advised of any decision
being signed, the counsel for the scrip
holders requested that such opinion be
II. tnl LODI Nf 1Nn
opinion is therefore traceable to them.
The improperly of giving out the
copy of the unrendered and unpromul-
gated decision to parties in the contro-
versy in advance of its formal an
nOuncement is too obvious to require
comment. LamerauX states that he
gave the copy to the party three days
in advance of the time appointed by
himself for its PRONUNCIATION in the us
ual and proper way. Neither faith
nor credit can attach to the opinion
under such circumstances. Since it
was never properly filed it is deemed
best to disregard it and direct new
trial. which was done.
Judge LamerauX left here Il week or
more before the change of administra
ton, the statement being made that
he was in a critical condition from ner-
vOus exhaustion, and before his depar
ture rendered his resignation to the
president. In view of today's devel-
Opments it may be he will be dismiss
ed The decision formulated and pro-
mulgated by Commissioner LamerauX,
is directly contrary to the decision rem
dered by him in August last, involving
the same lands, except as to parties
which presented the case. The re-
hearing is set for April 5.