Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-28
STATEHOOD ALL AWRY
Continued from First Page.)
stantly hindered by men who held hig

stantly hindered by men who held high
official positions in the territory.
The charge is made that Mr.. McHargs
life was threatened. that his mail was
opened. his kilograms read. and that he
was bounded and prosecuted, presumably
with the knowledge and consent of per-
sons supposed to be in high favor at
Washington.
1t is stated outright that when Mr.. Nc
Harg was hot on the trail of alleged
wrongdoers pressure was brought to bear
at Washington and that Mr. McHarg re-
ceived a telegram from Attorney General
Bonaparte saying the department was
informed that there was no use of an
investigation; that nothing could ever be
accomplished, and he was instructed TO
drop the case.
To this telegram Mr. McHarg is said
to have replied substantially as follows:
Your telegram received. My under
standing OF the policy OF the government
and the department has been that where
evidences of deliberate fraud are discov-
cred prosecutions would follow; that per-
sonal. political or social prominence
II find here abundant evidences of de-
lfberate fraud. which l propose to prose-
cute if I remain in the territory. OF
course. understand you can withdraw
me. but II I remain. l. prosecute.
This is said to have brought prompt
direction by wire from the Attorney Cen
eral to proceed and a request for adj
ditional information by wire, which was
just as promptly forwarded.
Rough Rider Influence"
In some of the communications refer
ence is made to the rough rider infiu-
ence.' 1t is declared that a number Of
men made several trips to Washington
to have the agents of the Department of
Justice called off when they were investi-
eating land fraud cases.
Miss Lawler, a stenographer who assist
ed in the land fraud cases. made state
ment to the committee which indicated
that the lives Of the government agents
were In danger so long as they persisted
in their investigations.
She mentioned several people prominent
| in public affairs in New Mexico in I'M
! complimentary manner and cited certain
| records. which she said would bear out
all her statements.
At former meeting of the committee
one of the democratic senators proposed
that all sections of the bill proposing to
legalize land grants and bond issues be
stricken from it. This proposition met
| with objection. Yesterday, after the
meeting, 1t was said there was not a sin
gle member Of the committee who would
vote to report the bill.
There was practically no discussion OF
| the bill at the meeting yesterday. The
time was wholly consumed by the state
ments presented.
Problems to Delay Action.
1t was recognized that whether the
statements were true or not. questions
had been raised that could not be dis
posed OF at the present session Of Con-
gress. That being the general view, the
members of the committee dispersed.
Any meeting that Is held now will be
at the call of Chairman Beverage. No
date was fixed for further meeting.
Attention was directed to the land sec
ago when Senator Nelson protested to
several of his colleagues against the ac-
ton of the New Mexico statehood lobby
| in Washington. He was opposed partic-
ularly to the work of Gov. Curry. who
appeared on the floor of the Senate in
| ernor of one q. ele territories.
At that time, Mr.. Nelson let it be
known that unless this activity ceased he
would have something to say about pri-
vate interests in the measure"
Curry Courts Investigation.
| SANTA FEE, New Mexico, February q.
| When informed of the action OF the
| committee Of Congress in reference to
the Arizona and New Mexico statehood
| bill and the attack made uron him and
others in connection with the political
| affairs of New Mexico. Gov. Curry was
indignant and disappointed, he said. but
| at the same time he was not surprised.
| Gov. Curry declared that the people Of
New Mexico courted the fullest investiga-
ton of the charges, and that the more
| searching the investigation the more
complete would be the vindication. He
considers the criticisms of a certain ele-
| ment OF the population as an injustice,
but Is hopeful that in another year state
hood for New Mexico will be realized.
Arizona Blames New Mexico.
PIODNIX. Ariz., February 27.-The
published reports OF the sensational pro-
ceedings before the Senate committee at
| Washington today. with reference to
statehood for Arizona and New Mexico,
| were received here with much surprise
| and the outcome with not little disap-
pointment
While for the last two weeks it had
been apparent that there was little chance
for statehood at this session, the resi-
dents of this territory had not entirely
abandoned hope.
The feeling today is that Arizona has
been made the victim of the political
wrangles Of New Mexico.