The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-15
B0NAPARTE DENIES
TIIL.MAN'S AV0WAL
Says BE Knew Nothing Of Senator s
Desire For Lands.-Dealt With
Latter as Public Officer.

Washington. Jan. 12.-Attorney
General Bonaparte tonight issued a
statement replying to that part OF the
speech of Senator Tillman, delivered
yesterday, in which he declared the
resolution in regard to the Oregon
land grants, introduced by him in the
senate on January 81, 1908, had been
prepared by the attorney general and
that his "interest in the matter had
been first aroused by desire to pur-
chase some of the timber land.' Mr..
Bonaparte also replies to Senator
Tillman's remark made in the senate
last February that he chad not
bought any land anywhere in the
West or undertaken to buy any,"
MIR. Bonaparte sets forth that suits
against those holding the Oregon
LANDS involved in the case have been
INSTITUTED, a fact that could have
been ascertained by any one upon in
quiry of his department any time
within the past four months. Mr..
Tillman had intimatad that no steps
had been taken, despite the resoh-
ton passed.
The attorney general disputes the
senator's statement that the latter
had informed him in their conversa-
ton that it was the senator's wish to
acquire some Of the lands. Mr.. Bon
aparte sets forth that he did not
know Senator Tillman had any per-
sonal interest in the matter. Says
Mr.. Bonaparte:
Mr.. Bonaparte's Words.
"He never told me a word Of any
connection on his part with an ar
rangement to acquire some part Of
these lands, nor that he intended, ex-
pected or even desired, at that time,
to make any such purchases. AS stat
ed by him, his reason for making
these inquiries was that he might
better discharge his public duties;
and I was totally ignorant until |
saw the documents transmitted by
the president to Senator Hale that
Senator Tillman, at the time Of his
conversation, with me, mad any pri-
vate interest, whether actual or in ex-
pectation, in connection with the sub
ject of our conversation. 1 gave him
a full statement Of the information
which had been collected by the de-
partment as the result Of protract-
ed investigation made by Messrs.
Townsend & McBlair as special coun-
sci, and which had continued during
a considerable part Of the preceding
year. I told him also that we deem
ed it advisable to secure congresslon-
al action in the form Of a resolution
empowering the attorney general to
claim a forfeiture Of these lands; and
that I felt some apprehension lest
such action should be opposed by the
large interest which it would affect.
",Senator Tillman then offered to
introduce a resolution on the subject
if I would prepare one, and [ did
prepare such a resolution, which was
introduced by him and subsequently,
adopted. During this interview l ex-
planned to him that it would be i'm
practicable to compel the corpora
tions claiming these lands to sell any
particular part of them to any par
ticular person; although, Of course,
if the government could establish a
forfeiture Of right under the grant,
the lands might become afterwards
open to entry on the same terms as
any other portion Of the public do
main. Of course, if it was at the
time his prupose to secure some part
Of the lands in question, through ar
Management with Messrs. Reeder &
Watkins or otherwise, this forfeiture
might tend to promote his individual
interest; but I had no reason to cred
it him with any such purpose, and l
dealt with him thoroughout as asking
the information and advice I could
give, only that he might fulfill his
duty as a public oficer.'
THE PUBLIC BENEFITED.