Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-13
AND TlLLMAN DIFFERS.
Says His Word Is Just As Good As the
Attorney Generals.


Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Tillman
late tonight, after seeing the statement
given out by Attorney General Bona
parte, made reply thereto. declaring that
the difference between his explanation of
the interview between the attorney gen.
eral and himself in regard to the Oregon
land grants and the explanation given
bv Mr.. Bonaparte is one of memory.
not of veracity.
Senator Tillman asserted that he is
willing to place his oath alongside that
of the attorney general as to what he
said at that time. He declared that he
told Mr. Bonaparte that he desired to Sc
cure some of the land for himself, if pos
sible. He said that it was his public du-
ty to attempt to secure cancellation of
the land patents if possible; his private
right thereafter to secure some of the
land if he chose.
Senator Tllman's statement follows:
Il have hastily read the statement
made by the attorney general and so far
as gather it's import, there is no con-
fiict of veracity between us, but rather
one of memory. The attorney general
says: According to my recollection, the
senator stated that the lands had become
of great value and many persons wished
to purchase them and added that he
would have been glad to do so himself
if he could; but he never told me word
of any connection on his part with ap
arrangement to acquire some part or
these lands, nor that he intended. eN-
pected or even desired at that time to
make any such purchase
Further on the attorney general says;
I was totally ignorant Mntil saw the
document transmitted to Senator Hale
that Senator Tillman at the time of the
conversation with me had any private in
terest, whether actual or in expectation.
in connection with the subject of our
conversation
,"Mr. Bonaparte uses the word arrange
ment' and nothing that has ever come out
in this controversy justifies that word.
not even the letter of Feb. Is. But I feel
very sure that I mentioned the valuable
character of the land. that my interest
in the matter had been first aroused be-
cause I wanted to purchase it and told
him so. AS to the attorney generals
statement about my private interests,
whether actual or in expectation he IS
technically correct while actually mcor-
rect, my private interests at that time
being confined solely to the desire that
| might get some of the land if the gov
eminent should cancel the patents. but
that was so distant and problematical
that it amounted to nothing. 1t was my
public duty to secure the cancellation OF
the patents after which it was my pri-
vate right to buy some of it If chose.
AS there were 100000 acres in the two
grants in question and l only wanted
144n. the relative interests are easy to
see.
"The attorney general in the opening
part of his statement gives the list OF
parties and corporations against whom
suit has been brought. but | fail to see
ANYTHING about any suit being insti-
tuted t. recover the land granted to
the state of Oregon to aid in the con-
s,ruction Of a militay wagon road from
the navigable waters of Coos bay to
Roseburg. These lands We're the ones
in which 1 was interested and about
hicl, 1 spoke to the attorney general
and they We're incorporated both in the
resolution which he drew and IN the
Joint resolution which became the law.
Has or has not the attorney general
obeyed the act of Congress. as 1 in
quirel in my speech Monday, and if
not, why not. The attorney general
mention the suits against various
companies and individuals to recover
the railroad lands which are subject
to entry by actual settlers only the
military road grant permitted and di-
rected the sale to purchasers
81 never contemplated the purchase
of any railroad land, because l had no
idea of becoming an actual settler in
Oregon or of attempting to have any
bogus transactions such as have
brought so many people into trouble.
Ii the attorney general is ready to
swear that | never told him my inter-
est was excited and the information l
had sought was due to my desire to
purchase the railroad lands. l am
equally ready to swear that l did and
leave the people of the country to be-
lieve whichever one of us they choose.
Speaking of railroad lands his state
ruent is absolutely correct in every par
ticul%r, speaking of military lands my
tatement is absolutely correct