Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-30
Carter of Montana As
sails Official Over Land
Fraud Cases.
AFFRONT TO THE WEST
Vote on RESOLUTION to UnSeat
SmO0t Set for Afternoon
of Feb. 2.

Washington. Jan 24.-Severc criti-
in the senate today by Senator Car
ter of Montana. The criticism was
based on the order of the secretary OF
last December which prohibits the is
suance of patent to land under any
of the land laws until after examina-
tion on the ground by a special agent
Senator Carter some time ago pre-
sented a resolution which denies the
right of any executive officer 10 pre-
vent the granting of d patent when the
law under which it is claimed has been
carried out.
Attacks All settlers.
Mr.. Carter began by asserting that
the order referred TO expressed the
final estimate of the secretary as 10
the truth and veracity. the honor and
integrity, and the good faith of all
settlers on the public domain OF the
United States. 1T likewise arra.gns."
he added. "aII other persons seeking
title to public land under existing
laws"
The order Is without precedent in
the history of the government II is
without parallel in the history of any
government. save as applied TO proyin-
ces, classes or individuals suspected
of reasonable designs. 1t is the cul-
minatiOn of a policy unwarranted in
fact and founded only on baseless sus-
Dicion- The public records demon
strate that the order is not only need
less but harsh, cruel and oppressive.
Gave Out Reports.
For the last six years sensational
reports of evil doings in the public
lands states have been emanatins from
the interior department from day 10
day. so sweeping in their scope as TO
create the impression in other sections
that the entire western population is
and has been engaged in a veritable
saturnalia Of criminal conspiracy.
fraud and perjury. over the whole
broad surface of the public domain.
Since 1901. insidfous interviews
and bOisterOus proclamaticns have
PASSED from the interior department
to the public press. rejecting upon
all those seeking title to public lands.
The words 'grafters.' land Srabbers.
'conspiratOrs,' hooters of the public do
main and like terms have become a
part of the vernacuIar of the secre-
tary's Office in referring to public land
entrymen of all kinds. The routine
work of the land service has been p:l-
laged in quest of items for publication.
rejecting on individuals and communi-
ties
Exploited Sensations.
The slightest iTreguarity, SAVIOR
ing of scandal or possible sensations |
has been diligently exploited before. |
during and after investigation. Every |
one was indicted and no acquittals |
were ever recorded i'm these scandalous !
reports. The exploitation of evil re-
ports has been conspicuous feature |
of the present secretary's administra |
tiOn.
Notwithstanding the expenditure of |
an excessive amount of money by the |
present secretary. the truth remains to |
be told that the percentage of fraud !
fIlent public land entries for the last
eight years. disclosed by investigation. |
bears out the same annual proportion |
TO the whole number of entries as OBJ |
tanned during each of the precedins !
40 years.
Less Efficient Than others.
"It remains to be shown by the rec |
ords that the present secretary has |