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

The first exhibit contained in the
communication is Senator Tillman's
personal explanation, made on the floor
of the Senate on Feb. 9, 1908. in which
he complained of alleged unauthorized
use of his name in circular issued by
Bryan X. Dorr, president of the st.
Paul & Pacific Timber Syndicate of
Portland This circular says that S"na
tor Tillman was interested in an action
to compel the Southern Oregon co. to
sell to applicants about 100000 acres %
timber lands which had been granted
to the Coos Bay Wagon Road Co, on
condition that it should be sold in quar-
ter sections for price not exceeding
$3.50 rer acre. In the statement Sena-
tor TiIlman denied that he had bought
any lands anywhere in the West and
he declared further that he had not
undertaken to buy any. At the request
of Senator Tillman. the postotfice de-
partment withheld mail addressed to
Bryan Il. Dorr and to the timber syn
dictate, pending an investigation of
their business by Postofice Inspectors
o. c. Riches and +. c. Clement. The
inspectors report to G, d. Linn, in
spector-in charge at Spokane. was as
given by the President. 1t shows that
u very thorough inquiry was made of
the operations of Dorr and number
of other Oregon real estate agents who
were receiving applications for the
lands held by the Coos Bay Wagon
Road Co.
Among the persons and firms men
toned in the report as interested in the
lands were James NJ Como of Marsh
field and George j. Schaefer of Port
land. and Recdcr & Watkins. Marsh
field. The Tillman letters We're adj
dressed chiefly to Reedcr & Watkins.
In their report Riches and Clement
found that there was no evidence that
Reeder & Watkins were not acting in
good faith in receiving applications for
the land As to the action of Dorr.
against whom the case was more spe-
officially directed. it was found that he
was unwarrantably eXtravagant both
in his statement of conditions and his
terms. This was attributed to his mex
perience in business. his energy and
enthusiasm and his desire to make
good in the West. The inspectors were
convinced, however. that Dorr had no
criminal motives in his actions and
sincerely believed he would be able to
make good his promises. AS to the use
of Senator Tillman's name by Dorr. the
inspectors found that the facts con-
corning the applications of Senator
Tillman and family to purchase nine
quarter sections of the land justified
the real estate agent in using the SEN
ator's name as an advertisement. The
action of tine postoffice department in
withholding from delivery mail ad-
dressed to Dorr, it was recommended.
should be resclnded.
Exhibits which followed the report
of the inspectors are copies of the en-
yelopes in which letters from Senator
Tillman and his agent. Lee. were sent
to Reeder & Watkins. 1t is shown that
the letters written by Mr.. Tillman We're
''franked" and that a letter written by
Mr.. Lee was upon Senate stationery |
and enclosed in Senate envelope. al
though postage was paid thereon.
The most striking passages from !
these letters are contained in excerpts !
quoted hy the President III his comUlI- |
nication to Senator Hale. The final eX-
hint. letter written bv Dorr to the