The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1900-04-20
AFTER TIMBER.

Never before In the history Of Oregon
has there been such rush for timber
land. This 10 general and IL not confined
70 the big railroads and syndicates oper-
sting here, bat includes private citizens.
The trial OF II. q. Mckinley here for
subornation Of perjury has brought out
this fact In striking manner, as we'll a.
the nnodus operandum resorted TO 10 90.
cure big tracts by the syndicates. The
testimony showed Il 10 be this: Men
| are secured 10 file their claims, mostly
men without any means, the expenses
are paid entirely by the agent Of the syn
dicate, who receives 800 Tor his commits.
zion, and when the property IL proved np
on u mortgage is given covering the en-
tire expense which amounts 10 about
500, including the $3.50 an acre that IL
paid the government The caimant does
not advance cent. The property though
II In his name, and he can sell il 10 any
one or can turn IL over 10 the syndicate
with slight advance for his trouble and
the mortgage will be discharged. This
oi course 10 the object OF the whole bug
inegs,as the syndicate Is alter the timber
land. This IL the program In nut shell.
II is @ roundabout way but Ii 10 effective
as carried out by the locat0rs in the
choice OF climants, etc.
In the meantime the Northern Pacific
IL following close behind after this same
land In lieu oiecme worthless desert land
elsewhere which the government in one
Of the most unjuet laws Ia the interest OF
the trusts and corporations has permit
ted. II the syndicate doeen't get IL the
Northern Pacific will, there's the rub.
What's the odds.
In making the affidavit ehen fling up-
on the land the claimant swears that he
has been upon the land and kno~e II, etc.
The charge against Mckinley IL that he
secures men TO make tho affidavit who
have rever seen the land at all. In
this ease Whitney, the claimant. swoTe
that be had never been upon the land
though familiar with the location, and
that he did not know the contents 0i
the affidavit when read 10 him, claiming
that Mckinley attended TO everything,
but Mckinley and Tarpley, his assistant
swofe that he was told kefoFe hand that
he must see the land.
As the Gaze was evidently going against |
the state the deputy district attorney last |
evening asked for an adjournment until |
this morning to get another witness from |
koseburg, which was granted.
At o o'clock this forenoon the testim- |
ony Of Walter Boon, OF Roseburg, who ar
rived on the morning train, was taken ON |
bel alf OF the sta'e, but IL proved TO be |
entirely in favor Of the defendant adding |
strength TO the defense. The court held |
that there was no probable cause under
the testimony OF the defendant having
tried TO secure the making OF false ai-
hdavit and therefore discharged the de.
feaaant.
II lie an inten sting fact that tile pros
ecntion were unable TO ascertain the syn
dicate tor whom Mr.. Mckinley is work. |
ing, though considerable OF an effort was |
made in that line.
The other case ia which w. J. Drink
ard and Harry Barr figured "a the set
{ ers were upon motion OF the di trict at
torney dismissed. Mckinley has located |
tifty-seven in this county, aud OF these
all are being contested by the Northern /
Pasisie but nine. That company Ia after
the whole shooting match and more too
II they tan secure Il. and take 30 much |
interest in the matter that thew had a
special man on hand ut this examina-
ton.