Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-09
RICHARDS QUITS VOLUNTARILY
COmmissiOner OF General Land Once
Indignantly Denies RumOr TO
Contrary EHect.
From a STAN Correspondent


WASHINGTON, Nov. S.-(special Tcle-
gram. m.)-Announcement Of the resignation
Of w. A. Richards. commissioner OF the
general land office, created a profound sem
"a tion among the clerks of his department,
and there was much speculation as TO whom
the president would select to succeed him.
As Mr.. Richards resignation does not take
effect until March there is an abundance
OF time for the president to select suit
able man.
1t has been hinted that Mir. Richards did
not relinauish the position voluntarily, but
when asked as to the truth Of this rumor
he Indignantly declared that he leaves his
Office freely and even gladly, and only re-
grets that he could not leave sooner than
the date set for his resignation TO become
effective
Il desired to leave the land ofice at least
a year ago and so informed the secretary
Of the interior and the president said
Commissioner Richards. II was urged
however. to retain my Office for some time
at least, there was then pending
number OF Investigations into alleged frauds
In land sales, and It would somewhat ham
per the government should l leave and n
green man come in at that time. I con-
sented but now that these cases are well
prits brought to trial and convicted, there
is no reason for my remaining longer.
There are other reasons. MY health is not
Of the best and I long for open-air work
on my ranch IN Wyoming, and during the
last year my business-that OF cattle rails
ing-has suffered for want Of my personal
attention. There is still a stronger reason
for wishing to be at home again. My eld-
st daughter who has been at the head of
!. Washington home since the death Of
= mother, is to be married this winter
Aat will leave me with only my young
daughter, who is a mere girl and too
young 10 have the responsibility of keep
ing house. To continue to live here would
mean life in a hotel, and that is not a
congenial atmosphere in which to rear a
young girl. For these reasons have de-
| termlned to step down and return to Wye
ming, there to spend the balance of my
days on my ranch raising stock and riding
the range
Mr.. Richards has held public Office almos
continuously for sixteen years His frs
Office was that of surveyor general of the
state Of Wyoming, which he held for foul
years He was next nominated and elected
governor of Wyoming. Upon his retirement
I from the gubernatorial chair he was ap
, pointed assistant commissioner Of the lane
/ office, helding that four years, then belnl
promoted to commissionership, which h,
will have held over four years upon tn,
date set for his retirement
Report has been received from the boar,
of consulting engineers at Mitchell Neb.
who opened proposals for the construction
of a diversion dam and head works on tn
North Platte irrigation project in Ne
braska and Wyoming. No bids were re
| ceived on schedule No and but one BIZ
on schedule No. 2, concrete structures. C
f. Atkinson OF Colorado Springs, Colo
offers to do the work on schedule No 70
$1l2,72O.
A. l.. johnson of Omaha has been ap
pointed clerk in the immigration servic
at Winnipeg. Canada.
George A. Cammins and Grant Henderso
arc appointed letter carriers at Lincor
\ Neb.
John Morris is appointed regular an
William F. Crockard substitute rural car
4 rier on route No. 2 at Britton, S. d.