Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1909-01-13

tenlpl2teQ the. purcndSe tOf Iauu be
cause I hade done both.
In my conversation with the at.
torney general in regard to the reso-
luton which introduced and which
he himself prepared after we had talk
ed over the whole land situation,
distinctly remember telling him that
my interest IN the matter had been
first aroused by my desire to purchase
some of the timber land, and that my
coming to him was due to the fact
that | found upon investigation that
so whatsoever, that | could not buy il
even by law suit. because | was ad-
vised by very able lawyers in the west,
among them the Hon. George Turner of
Washington. that in attacking the
holders of those land grants, no one
would have any standing in court ex.
cept the grantor, the government it.
self. | was perhaps, dsingenous, but
moments thought will convince any
honest minded man that as / had not
signed any papers, had not paid any
money, had taken nobodys receipts,
the usual processes by which one I'M
dertakes to buy land, was speaking
accurately and not falsely. Every
thing hinges on the meaning of the
word undertaken and my use of il.
Did | mean to conceal the fact that
| was anxious to buy some of the
land? Not at all. Did mean to at.
tack Dorr as a swindler when | my.
self was engaged in a dishonest and
dishonoTable transaction? That is
what the president would have people
believe. Can | be justly charged with
falsehood. when if had told the sen
ate of the entire transaction it would
have made no difference whatever,
while | would have been charged with
lntruding my private affairs into
public discussion? Just what law die
break? What wrong did | do or con-
template? According to the report
of the attorney general in answer TO
the resolution which ! introduced and
which passed the senate, Mr.. Harri.
man. the presidents dear friend. still
holds in defiance of law. upwards OF
two millions of acres of the best lands
of Oregon and California and refuses
pected and could not under the terms
of the law, as construed it, get more
than seven quarter sections for myself
and family, one for my private secre
tary, and one for Mr. Lee, making nine
in all. This in the aggregate would
mean that | would obtain through my
activity here as the presidents charge
nine quarter sections, or t440 acres
AT cost OF S4,500. viii the president
undertake 10 say that | have lost my
right to buy land because am a sen
ator? Can the president deny that my
activity secured the passage of the
resolution instructing the attorney
general to bring suit for the recovery
of this land for the use Of actual set
tiers? II Hartman and others like
him are made TO disgorge by reason
of these suits. shall the fact that
] was endeavoring to buy little pit
lance of land be used as the basis of
a charge OF being a liar and corrupt
senator TO be disgraced?"
Senator Tillman then told how his
attention had been brought TO this
land while at Spokane. Washington,
in October, 1907 He wrote to Reeder
& Watkins asking for information and
telling them of his desire to purchase
some OF the land If possible. Desir.
ing to find out If the conditions of the
grant to the state of Oregon made II
possible for purchasers" and not "ac-
tual settlers to buy at $3.50 per acre.
he wired TO the librarian Of the senate
for a copy OF the fact. He wrote Nh
Lee at Moscow, Ida. and talked
with him on the subject ARRANGING
that he would 90 10 Marshfield ana /
investigate in person He authorized !
Mr.. lee to draw or him ii he found |
scnted 10 he.
lees authority as my agent he |
'aid never went beyond an eXamina- /
ion of the land and Il the applica. /
ion was flied to see that | got good |
imbered lands instead of rocks and /
marshes"
Mr.. Tillmau went Ou to detail in
EXPLAINING his effort 10 learn the exact
status OF the lands and got an opinion
rom Senator Turner of Washington.
Nfter returning TO Washington. d. C.,
n December he let the matter drop. he.
ieving ii to he Il very doubtful prop
'sition" until Mr. Lee showed him a
etter from Reeder n Watkins. which
lr. Tillman said had been stolen from
he desk in his committee room, along
With other papers in this case and de
Jared that the theft was probably by
ONE OF the secret service slueths
When Reeder 4 Watkins" he said.
indicated their desire that should
xert my influence in the senate. !
,rote the letter of Feb. Is. OF which
he president obtained a Photographic
opy. In the meantime and before
hat letter was written, and after
difference with the attorney general
introduced the two resolutions Of
an. 81. one calling on the attorney
eneral for information and the other,
'hich became a law, inStructing him
D institute suits. My official activity
hen is shown to have taken form In
he senate before ! knew anything
bout Reeder 4 Watkins attitude or
expectations and | was in no way in .
uenced by them. /,
II was still anxious to obtain some
the land if II could be done legally J
nd wrote Reeder e. Watkins to that
fleet, but my faith in them. and in
ne whole scheme died when received | ,
ne circulars of Dorr. which came to
lie on Feb. II and IS, from three diff
srent directions. showing the wide
pread circulation of them" :