The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-09

matters started from Washington ttuJ
cause the government to get busy and
do something along the line you de-
si:e. He will set up SUCH a howl
that it will be impossible to do other
wise This will be very important
for your whole scheme to have Il man
of his influence here to cid You at
this end OF the line. BY all means
save a lot of good land for Us. as We
intend to be of more value than any
one of the others in this matter
"On the 31st of January 1908, Sena-
tor Tillman introduced in the senate
the following resolution:
Whereas, at divers times various
railroads and other corporations have
received large grants of public lands
Of the United States under and by
virtue of acts of congress containing
conditions to the effect that such lands
should be sold to actual settlers. only
or In quantities not exceeding for any
one purchaser limit fixed BY the act
related thereto, or at a price per acre
not greater than an amount mentioned
in the act authorizing such grant, to
the end that such lands might prompt
ly become the homes of the citizens OF
the United states. and
Whereas, 1t is currently reported
and widely believed that the depart
ment Of justice has information 10 the
effect that certain Of the corporations
aforesaid or their alleged successors
in title, having obtained colorado title
to tracts of land within state or
states of the Pacific slope by virtue Of
the grants above mentioned or evaded
THESE equitable and snlutary conditions
as aforesaid imposed by the regula-
tlons upon such grants for the public
good, yet the senate Is not advised
that any action has been taken by the
department of Justice to enforce the
said conditions or restore the said
lands TO the public domain; now. there.
fore. be 1t
Resolved, etc. That the president
be requested. If not incompatible with
the public interest, to inform the SEN
ate what information If any, has been
received and what action, If any, has
been taken by the department OF JUS
tice with respect 10 the matters and
things In the preamble to the resolu.
ton set forth. and pressed vigorously
for immediate action. The resolution
being laid over, Senator Tillman intro
duced the same day a further joint
resolution containing the same reci-
Gals. but concluding as follows:
The attorney general is hereby d.
rected and empowered to take such
proceedings or institute such suit or
suits In behalf of the United States
as may be necessary or expedient TO
insure compliance with the above
mentioned conditions or to restore the
said lands 10 the public domain or to
report to the congress why such ac-
ton as aforesaid has not been OF
should not be taken"
On February IS, Senator Tillman
>wlote TO Messrs. Reedor and Watkins.
A photograph of his letter is also at,
tached as Exhibit d 5. In it / call
Your attention TO the fact that ne
speaks again of Mr.. Lee as his agent
and OF the correspondence carried on
through MT. Lee. He states that what
he has done in stirring up the question
OF the Oregon land grants to railroads
has been done entirely apart from any
personal interest ne has in the matter.
and adds. Although [ would not
publicly have my attention called to il.
but Tor the investigation as set on foot
IN connection with the proposed pur-
chaSe by me OF some OF the timber
land in question. OF course, If 7 de.
eide 10 make the tender and 90 into
the lawsuit | will bear the proposition
In mind but | would have YOU under
stand that nothing | do here in the
senate Will be done because OF any
personal purchase of any of the land
If | can succeed in causing the govern.
ment to institute recovery for the land
and make II easier for You and others
as we'll as I myself (the italics arc
mine) shall do II without regard to
The dealings with your firm | still
want TO gel some of the timber land
II il is possible and 1t is probable that
MT Lee or some other representative
oil mine VIII be In your city In the next
TWO months We will leave the matter
OF payment for the initatory steps and
subsequent proceedings in abeyance
Tor the present Any contract we
might make Will be entirely apart from
and independent of my work here in 4
the senate. / will be glad for YOU to
hold in reserve eight of the best quar-
ter sections OF which YOU have definite
information and will in the meantime
press the investigation and other work
here which will facilitate the final pur-
chase and In effect obyiate the neces-
sity OF your making any case in the
courts at all
This letter in which Senator Till. |
man states that eight of the best quar-.
ter sections be held in reserve for him.
was written just four DAYS before he |
announced in the senate he had not |
to buy any land in the |
west II is unnecessary to comment |
upon his proposal, made In this letter |
TO use influence as a senato- to force |
Lne government TO institute a law suit !
"nlch would make 1t easier for him |
personally TO obtain the land. This |
letter purely pertaining To Mr.. TIL |
man personal and private business. |
was sent in a franked envelope. of
which | attach Photographic copy
marked Exhibit d s."
The assault by Senator Tillman
upon Mr. Dorr was. according to the
'eport of the inspectors a wanton as
'auit made to cover up Senator TIL
mans own transactions.
call your attention to the letter
II MT. Dorr TO the postmaster general,
lnuer date of November "a 1905 (Ex-
llolt III IN which he asks for relief
rom the cases which Senator Tjllman
'ad brought against him. saving that
10 had no knowledge tha; Senator
lillman desired operations to be kent |