The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-13

Washington, Jan. S.-President
Roosevelt tonight made public the de-
tails Of an investigation by postoffice
Inspector and secret service agents
OF Senator Tillman's alleged connec-
ton with "land grab" in Oregon. AS
he presents the evidence to Senator
Hale In response to the latter's re-
quest to the heads Of the various exc
cutive departments for statement Of
the operations Of the secret service
the president undertakes to show:
THAT Mr.. Tillman used his influ-
ence as senator in an effort to force
the government to compel a railroad
corporation to relinquish it's control
OF land grants from the United States
In order that he and his family and
his secretary. j. B. Knight, might
profit through the purchase of some
of the land.
THAT the senator used his govern
ment franking privilege in numerous
instances for the conduct Of private
business"
Comparatively few senator's were
favored with the opportunity Of read
ing the presidents report to Senator
Hale. but those who did read the
report took serious view Of 1t, al
though most Of the senators refused
to believe that Mr.. Tillman had ever
done anything in violation Of his oath
as senator.
Senator Tillman did net permit the
fact that the president was giving out
the charges against him to alter his
determination to make no statement
until Monday. He said that ne could
not make his reply 50 complete as he
would desire for tomorrow's papers
and that he would therefore withhold
whatever remarks he might have to
make until Monday. when he would
make statement to the senate.
No effort was made by him to con-
ceal the fact that when he had
learned the facts concerning the rail-
road grant he had made an effort to
obtain portions OF the land in the
names OF himself and members Of his
family, but declared that as. at most.
he could have got possession of only
q fow hundraa ooras III. >~o-x- -...
after all. in behalf Of the public and
not especially In his own interest.
Immediately after the conclusion OF
the chaplain's prayer Monday Mr..
Tillman will ask the recognition OF the
chair on a question Of personal privi-
lege. Departing from his custom OF
extemporaneous speaking, he will
read his statement. thus insurins more
careful adherence to what he desires
to say than he would be able to give
In an offhand speech.
The communication Of Senator Hale
Is nearly 5000 words longs and In
addition there are appended numerous
exhibits. including copies Of letters
written by Senator Tillman and his
agent, William e. Lee. showing that
they did make an effort to secure sew
eral quarter sections of the Oregon
land. and the reports Of the postof1lce
inspectors who investigated the trans
actions Of the land agents. 1t was
through this investigation that the al
legged interest OF Senator Tillman was
brought to light. and fatefully, 1t ap-
pears. u was at his instigation that
the inquiry was begun.
The presidents communication tn
Senator Hale opens with the state
ments that he secured for the senate
Information touching the employment
OF special attorneys, special agents,
inspectors, etc.. and the reports con-
veying this information he was trans
mitting. Then he says that 1t is mot
only the right but the duty Of congres So
to investigate the workings OF the Sc
cret service or detective agents by
which alone the government can ef-
fectually safeguard itself against
wrongdoing, punish crime, and bring
to Justice criminals"
The president continues:
1T nevertheless remains true that
this system Is absolutely indispensabl bic
II the popular interest is to be ade-
quately safeguarded and wrongdoers
taught TO fear the law"
The president says:
i would like to state here that very
frequently accusations have been
made to me privately by members of
the two houses to the effect that the
secret service has been used as police
or morals or to shadow senators. con-