The Globe-republican., 1906-05-31
REPLIES 70CR|T|CS
Gov. Hoch Explains His Actions
Regarding the M, X. 1T.
Land Suit
TAKES ALL Responsibility
Sentimental and Patriotic Considerations
Involved in the Suit-Office of Trus-
tee of the Railroad Accepted
by State Legislature.

Topeka, Kan, May Ex-Governor
Hoch has given out an open letter to
the people of Kansas explaining his
actions in connection with the well
known M. X. & T. railroad suit. His
action in that case has been used as
political capital by anti-Hoch papers
over the state and while Governor
Hoch's first intention was to pay no
attention to the criticism of his acts
his friends persuaded him to recon'
slider his decision. The governors
statement in part is as follows:
To the People of Kansas:
My official action, the full response
bility of which | unreservedly assume
in ordering the attorney general to
bring suit in the supreme court of the
United States in the name Of the state
of Kansas as trustee for the M. X. &
T. Railway company to test its right
TO certain lands of the Indian territory,
has been violently and viciously at
tackled chiefly by the Kansas City
Star and by the Emporia Gazette
The motives of the Star are easily
discernible, for it Is democratic paper
thinly disguised with mask of indie
pendence, and is simply resorting to
the ordinary tactics prevalent in pol
itics to elect the democratic ticket In
this state, and of which perhaps /
should not complain. The motives of
the Emporia Gazette are not so plain
1t assumes to be republican news
paper, its action in this matter is in
comprehensive.
1t is not my purpose to defend my
sci against all the criticisms OF oppon-
ents, but in this case | desire to sub
nit to the candid reader few plain
facts.
Under the acts of congress OF March
), 1868, February 9, 1865, July %, 1866
and other acts, every alternate section
If land ten miles OH each side of the
right of way of the present line OF the
NJ. X. & T. Railway company through
The Indian territory was granted by the
United States to the state OF Kansas
for the benefit of the railway company
named In the grant, OF which the M,
X. & T. Railway company Is now the
successor. Such grant of land by con-
gress was by act of the legislature Of
the state of Kansas officially accepted
and Kansas became the trustee for
title of such lands and is today such
trustee.
There are sentimental and patriotic
considerations as well as commercial
rights involved in this controversy. AT
the inception of this grant our coun-
try was in the throes Of civil war.
Kansas troops were fighting the bush
whackers of Missouri, Arkansas and
the Indian territory and making long
toilsome marches. The purpose OF the
government was to secure railroad
transportation for its troops and NUM-
lions of war to protect the southwest
ern border against the disloyal ele-
ments of Missouri, Arkansas, Indian
territory and Texas, and the whole
Confederacy, indeed, aided and abot-
ted as they were at the time by the
hos tile tribes of Indians 10 the south
of ua, and to place us closer to the bor-
der land of Mexico to protect our in
terests against Macmillan and the
empire he was Haunting in the face
of our Monroe doctrine
submit that criticisms at this time
from states and persons whose dis
loyal acts at that time made that
land grant necessary should not now
appeal strongly to loyal Kansans In
whose interests and for whose protec-
ton this land grant was originally
made.
1t is urged that the company has