The morning times., 1897-02-23
THE PERRINE LAND CLAIM
An Investigation Was Begun by
the Senate.
SENATOR TILLMAN'S QUESTIONS
He Developed the Fact That the
Florida and East Coast Railway
Expected 10 Get a Slice of the
Land in Questionable Grant to
Relatives of Mrs Cleveland.

The investigation of the "Penine Land
Claim involving the granting of $4,000
acres OF Florida public land to relatives of
Mrs. Cleveland. was begun yesterday morn
ng by the Senate Committee on Public
Lands. The inquiry promises, as foreshad-
owed in The Times, to develop decidedly
Interesting facts as it progresses
Three Senators went into the investiga-
ton who probably are personally inter
ested. They are Senator Villas, the Presi-
dents friend: Senator Thomas H. Carter
and Senator benjamin r. Tillman. The com
plete committee includes Senators Fred 7.
Dubois, Richard f. Pettigrew, William v
Allen, James H Berry, Samuel Pasco,
Henry c. Hansbrough. john L. Wilson,
George W. Mcbride and William F. Villas
Senator Tllman developed one point,
which he seemed particularly anxious
about lie ascertaincd just what position
the Florida and East Coast Railroad occU-
pied in the transaction, and in doing this
ne learned that the corporation hoped 10
get a good slice Of the Perrine land patent
Senator Dubois presided at the meeting,
and called attention TO the resolution
vesugItion OF the grant made by Secre-
tary Francis, OF the Interior Department.
Assistant Attorney General Lionberger
represented Secretary Francis; Judge Z.
". Brookshire appeared for the settlers,
and Mr.. Robinson, a Jacksonville, Fla,
lawyer, represented himself, and incident
ally assisted Judge Brookshire. The Per
Tne heirs had their interests looked after
10y Judge C II. Holcombe of this city
Judge LamoreauX, Commissioner OF the
General Land office, was present, and
stated to the committee that the patent
was issued in the regular way. He pre-
sented a typew ritten brief giving the
history OF the claim OF Dr. Henry Perrine
The paper was not read, but was placed
on file and ordered printed. The evidence
in the case is very voluIainous.
Several minor quest ions were asked
Judge Holcombe, but before he could make
reply, Senator Carter interposed and as
serted that he desired TO learn first from
the objectors what they regarded as wrong
in the transaction.
Judge Brookshire then presented Mr.
Robinson, who was sworn. He was inter-
rogated in turn by the Senators, and
claimed TO be a settler on certain prop
erty which it is now proposed 10 give TO
the Perrine heirs. He spoke as settler,
and objected to the grant being made.
At one point he was asked by Senator
Villas if he had not signed paper waving
squatter's rights. This he denied en-
phatically and gave a long list OF names
OF persons who had not signed such
paper.
Senator TiIlman then took a hand in
the investigation and taking from the table
q paper asked to have it read 1t was
contract between W. 6. Steven, George
Campbell, and several other settlers and
the Florida and East Coast Railway
Company.
Il would like to get at the true inward
ness Of this affair." asserted the Sen
Btor from South Carolina. The paper vas
passed to the secretary Of the committee
and read. II showed that the settlers lad
made an agreement with the railroad COM
pany by which the first named were TO
withdraw all objection to the PerTine
grant, in consideration of which the rail
road company agreed to use its good offices
to have grants issued SeveTally and not
Jointly to the settlers then on the set
tied land The company was also to
assist in getting settlers to occupy the un-
settled land and aid in the issuance Of
patent.
Now we want the paper between the
Perrines and the railroad company, and
want 70 know what the railroad company
had TO do with IT,, stated Senator Tillman,
as he cast his eye inquirngly toward Judge
HolcUmbe.
The latter explained that James E. In
graham. of the railroad company, had Wis
itcd the land known as the Perrne grant.
He found there twenty or thirty settlers.
He found that the squatters had formed a
union to oppose before Congress the Per
rne grants. A proposition was then made
by Mr Ingra ham that they withdraw from
the contest. in consideration Of which they
were to receive twenty acres of land. They
objected to the number as being too small,
and then MI. Ingraham agreed 10 give them
forty acres. There were three squatters
who had been there much longer than the
others. howe Ter, and they were to be al
lowed eighty acres.
Senator TiIlman listened patiently at the