The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-09-06

A Santa Fe special published in the
Ell Paso Herald, says:
The people of New Mexico are
awaiting with keen interest the out
come of apparent conflict between
territorial and federal officials. Attor-
ney General A B. Fall has resented
the presence in New Mexico of a score
of special government agents, at the
head of whom is Special Assistant
Attorney General Ormsby McHarg of
Washington
The first intination that harmony
was lacking between the two sets of
officials came to public notice the day
of the inauguration of Governor Geo.
Curry, August s. At that time Attor-
ney General Fall, who delivered the
address of welcome on behalf of the
people of New Mexico, was especially
bitter in his denunciation of the spe-
cial government agents. Among those
who heard this address was First AS
sistant Postmaster General Frank H.
Hitchcock, who was the special rep
resentative of the President.
It is reported that upon the arrival
a few days later of Secretary of the
Interior Garfield, he, was personally
informed by Mr. Hitchcock of the re-
marks made by the Attorney General,
and the Secretary it is said, intimat-
ed DO Governor Curry that he did not
approve of Mr.. Fall for Attorney Cen
eral and that ne did not think he
should be appointed. Notwithstanding
this, Fall was given his commission.
A few days ago in an interview at
Ell Paso, the Attorney General again
denounced the Federal special agents
whom he is reported to have called
spies. He said that New Mexico is
we'll able to take care of ner own af
-dence is insufficient in the suits
brought by the United States against
the American Lumber Company, cor
poration owning thousands of acres
of valuable lands in the Territory,
which it is alleged were acquired
lands in question shall be disposed of
in tracts of not more than 160 acres
to any individual. The Attorney Gen
eral contended that the lands had
been given to the Territory by the
government, and that they were there
fore the property of the Territory
Internationally. He stated that, so far
as he knows, no timber frauds have
been committed, and while admitting
that some evasiols have been prac-
ticed, no cases like those in Oregon
have occurred, he thinks.
have been gathering evidence, and
they may receive additional instruc-
tions from Mr.. McHarg, who has just
had conference with President
Roosevelt and Attorney General Bo-
naparte His trip east was made at
the special request of the President,
who was desirous of learning the sta
tus of the alleged Illegal land transac-
tions in this territory. 1t is under
stood that Mr. McHarg received in
structions from the President which
will result in renewed activity in the
investigation of Territorial affairs,
which has already resulted in the
summary removal of several high Of
ficials.
1t is an open secret that the Fed
eral grand jury, which will meet ia
September. will return indictments
against a number of Territorial off,
cials and ex-ofacials, the officers of a
railroad company and several other
corporations and prominent citizens.
The gauntlet was thrown down Fri
day to Special Assistant Attorney
General McHarg and e. Peyton Cor
don By Fall. when demurrers were
fled in the land cases now pending
i'm the Second Judicial District Court
of the Territory. which were institut-
ed by Messrs. McEIarg and Gordon
ana are entitled. The United States
Of America vs.. the Territory of New
Mexico and others. # the demurrers
are oyerrnled the suits undoubtedly
win be carried to the United States
Supreme Court for final decision. It
H. The beginning of legal battle
without parallel in the Territory. and
perhaps without precedent.