New-York tribune., 1908-01-13
DEPENDS COLORADO MEN.
Congressman Attacks Prosecution
for Alleged Land Frauds.

Washington Ian FIN a personal letter which
he has addressed the President and Fice-Presi-
dent Speaker Cannon and all members of Con-
gress. the Justices OF the Supreme Court, members
of the Cabinet and the Washington newspaper
correspondents, George W. Cook, Republican Con-
gressman-at-Iarge from Colorado, severely arraigns
the administration for its course in prosecuting
alleged infractions of the public land laws in Coo
fado-
Congressman Cook insists that great injustice
has been done a number of Colorado's most up
| right business men. in that they have been un-
/ necessarily branded criminals Through over
zAaIousnees of the government in ordering indict-
rnents without furnishing proper evidence lie
quotes decisions of Federal Judge Robert
E Lewis at Denver, In which he Quashed indict-
ments against some thirty citizens in his endeavor
! 10 show that government prosecutors were over
active in their efforts 70 punish land frauds The
letter follows:
Ny Dear Sir: I most earnestly protest against
the continued high-handed, perncious political per
secl1tion made by certain Of the department bu
reaus OF the government in this city, branding many
business men OF Colorado as Criminals. Their only
n1ents are reports made TO them by non-Tesidents
special agents and prosecutors. sent TO Cooraqo 90
the sole purpose Of securing personal promotion IN
washington and the opportunity for the govern
mental bureaus here ito disseminate among the
press throughout the country nlsrepresenta Llos aS
to timber land and coal there's. that DO not exist
Judge Robert E Lewis. of the United States
District Court Denver, on December %, 26 and 30.
quashed all of the indictments against some thirty
If whom have been engaged actively in business
in Colorado for thirty years. on the ground that
any evidence whatever against these men-a most
stinging and severe rebuke by Judge Lewis OF the
United States District Court; an appointee OF the
present administration. Active preparations were
the prosecution of these cases They condemn hon
orabie men of rmquestioned integrity before they
are found guilty Of any v9iatd9n 10 d6rCa O. the Id" 0f
even given an gGe %i nnTersa satisfao
tin 10 ali Of our people in Colorado regardless OF
tT their political afiliations and is indorsed by
united press-in fact every newspaPeT n i me s1a, %
truth mas been vindicated
R5feTring to the action taken at the last" Cahi-
net meeting of the year on December 81. as to the
dietary and authorized the Attorney General as
The government will use every means in its
power TO bring about IN the higher courts q94P ,
Judge Lewis
our Citizens are willing and ready to meet the
issue raised by the 1mpulsiVe adInlnstFaIol' ouI
to the purpose on the part OF the latter c4h Le
not comprehend unless it Is to continue N re ne
savsd-from the buTea ucTats point point Of view,
of the executive against the legislative ana 1uociSi
departments of the government is alTnosI a daiIy
threat TO the peace and prosperity OF ne Fspuo' @ @
stitutionaI decision Of the Supreme Court or tue
The article in The Washington Star, Of De
cenber 81 quotes the ComnllssioIeT OF me lang i4nI
violations of the land laws in Colorado 70 the Al
+entior Of the grand jury. and some OF these may
move ba ndi,sF dsc5ared This Is subterfuge Dor
dertng on farcicaI, and is disseninated to the
+be public as TO so-caled land frauds that do not
and have not existed in Colorado ., -,
rnftfed TO these prosecutions for alleged offences
and every fair minded citizen should JON N @ C0In
country true Judges who have the courage Of their
convictions ard bels.e eve, IN }C5slce %
In conclusion beg TO say ] assume the personal
responsibility for statements herein made