The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-10-03

u1 SAouuuS lot GOlQSm1thS ar
rest were that there were mineral
lands within the townships on
which he had placed blanket filings,
The dismissal of the cases is certain,
1t being simply a piece Of spite
work. One of his selection lists
had to be withdrawn from, the Lew
lston land Office for correction after
he had left the city, and being in
Boise at the time, I authorized
County Treasurer Hastings by wire
to act as selecting agent and refle
the list. In his search for some
one to make the necessary nom
mineral affidavit, he ran across Mr..
Harbrough at the land Office, who,
knowing the country, as matter
of accommodation made the affidavit
for which he was afterward arrested.
This furnishes the ground upon
which the opposition is constantly
referring to him as a estate land
selector."
James DeHaven, who, under his
title of U. S. Commissioner, wrote
an open letter to Governor Morri.
son in which he attempts to prove
that was partner of Harbaugh
in the latter's alleged graft, and
also in an authorized interview says
in effect that stated to him that I
used my position to help work the
graft, is an impecunious individual
for whom I have much sympathy.
He lives alone and ekes out a bare
existence from the small fees that
come to him as commissioner. AS
a rule the income and importance
of the Office is about equal to that
of notary public. He had ex-
pected to get great many filings
from prospective settlers in these
townships, and the disappointment
over the States action in selecting
the land has embittered him greatly.
To make the matter worse Har-
baugh steered all his clients to a
rival U S. Commissioner, living at
Whitebird. and now poor DeHaven
is venting his spleen by furnishing
ammunition to his former Demo
cratic brethren manufactured out of
deliberate and malicious falsehoods.
Politicians who have his record in
Idaho for the past twenty-five years,
assure me that he is now exhibiting
symptoms that presage one of his
frequent fops.
l realize that the selections were
inimical to the interests of the local
newspapers, for whose editors I
have the highest regard. If the
State had not selected the land in
these townships they would have
received some $50 homestead and
timber and stone notices for publ
cation, equivalent to nearly $1,000
during the next year.
Others in Idaho county who had
planned to file on timber land and
were forestalled are also endeavor-
ing to discredit the State Land De-
partment.
In conclusion will say that if I
have not made this entire affair
clear to you, I will be glad to give
YOU further information. There is
nothing in the actions of Mr.. Gold
smith, Mr.. Hit or myself in this
matter for which the slightest apol-
ogy is due. Some $3.50, 900 worth
of splendid land was secured fol-
Idaho, though 1t. was necessary to
tread on the toes of some OF the
brethren in order to accomplish that
result. In spite of such assaults as
these, the land department will con-
tinue to work for the best Interests
of the State and endeavor incident
ally to reflect some measure of credit
TO the party to which its employees
owe allegiance.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN JACKSON.
Boise, September 20, 1903.