Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-09

this case the matter is SO serious that I
feel / should put it before you. I inclose
you also, as Exhibits d., D-3. D-4 and
DIS. Photographic SMILES of letters and
| envelopes and kilograms from Senator
Tillman and his agent William E. Lee.
II appears that on Oct. 20. 1907 Senator
Tillman wrote letter exhibit DBL 70
Messrs. Reeder and Watkins of Marsh
field. Oregon who were applicants for the
purchase of certain wagon road land
grants: Door was land agent. making
his filings with Reeder and Watkins. Sem
ator Tillman's letter runs in part as fol-
lows:
"T wired you from Wausau, Wis. as
follows and write to confirm it: will
liam e. Lee, my agent. will see you
about land. T want nine quarters re-
served. Will forward signed applications
and money at once. Members of my fam
lily are entrymen. Letter follows.
(Signed) B. r. T.
Il write now to say that wired Mr..
Lee, who resides at Moscow. Idaho. to go
at once to Marshfeld and see you about
the land, to locate quarters for the sew
en- members of my family who are of age
and one for my private secretary, J. 3.
Knight. whom I desire to let into the
deal and of course he wants quarter
FOR himself
THE letter continued. stating in detail
what was to be done in order to enable
the senator to get the land The William
E. Lee. to whom Senator Tillman thus
referred as his agent. wrote to Reeder
and Watkins under date of Dec. T. 4
letter, Photographic copy of which is
herewith submitted, marked Exhibit D-4,'
In this letter Mr.. Lee explains that he
had written Senator Tillman fully as to
the status Of the land matter. advising
him that it was good gamble but that
the senator was lecturing so that he did
not get Mr.. Lees letter until week and
a half previously. The letter continues:
In case Senator Tillman gets in on
this deal with some good lands in the
eight quarters we want, I am satisfied
that he can be of great help in getting
matters started from Washington and
cause the government to get busy and do
something along the line you desire He
will set up such howl that 1t will be
impossible to do otherwise. This will be
very important for your whole scheme to
have a man of his influence here to aid
YOU at this end of the line. BY all means
intend to be of more value than anyone
IF the others in this natter
con the 31st of January. 1908. Senator
Tillman introduced into the Senate the
following resolution:
"'Whereas. at divers times, various
'ailroads and other corporations have
received large grants of public lands
| # the United States under and by vir-
0r o{e 30
ng conditions to the effect that such
ands shoul be sold to 5ctual settlers
My. OF only in quantities not exceed
I, ng for any one purchaser a limit fixed
" the act relating thereto or at a price
or acre not greater than an amount
/ mentioned in the act authorizing such
rant to the end that such lands might
rromptly become the homes of citizens
f the United States.
Whereas it is currently reported
nd widely believed that the depart
'nent of justice has information to the
effect that certain Of the corpora tons
'foresaid. or their alleged successors
in title having obtained colorado title
20 large tracts of land within a state
Of states of the Pacific slope by virtue
IF the grants above mentioned and
still holding considerable portions there
#. have violated or evaded the eQui-
table and salutary conditions so as
aforesaid imposed by the Congress up
On such grant. for the public good: yet
the Senate is not advised that any ac-
ton has been taken by the department
IF justice to enforce the said cOndi-
ions or restore, the said lands to the
public domain; now. therefore. be 1t.
Resolved. etc. that the President
be requested. if not incompatible with
the public interest to inform the Senate
what information. If any. has been re-
ceived. and what action, II any, has
been taken by the department of JUS
tice. with respect to the matters and
things in the preamble to this resolu-
ton set forth and pressed vigorously
for immediate action. The resolution
being laid over. Senator Tillman intro
duced the same day further and joint
resolution containing the same recital,
but concluding as follows:
Resolved. etc, that the attorney
general be and he is hereby directed,
authorized and empowered to take such
proceedings or institute such suit or
suits on behalf of the United States as
may be necessary appropriate or ex-
pedient to insure compliance with the
above mentioned conditions or to restore
the said lands to the public domain,
or to report to the Congress why such
action as aforesaid has not been or
should not be taken.
ION Feb. Is. Senator Ti1iman wrote
to Messrs. Reeder and Watkins. A
photograph Of this letter is also attach.
ed as Exhibit d.. In it call your
attention to the fact that he speaks
again Of Mr.. Lee as his agent and Of
Continued on Page Two.l,