The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-13

statement given out by Attorney-Ge
 eral Bonkparte, made reply thereto,
 declaring that the difference between
 his explanation of the interview of
 the hAttorney-General and himself in regard to the Oregon land grants and the explanation given by MT. Bonaparte iseonee of memory, not of veracity.
 & Senator Tillmani asserted that he is willing to place his oath alongside that ofsthe sAttorney-General as to what he said at that time. He declared that he told Mfr. Bohaparte that he desired to secure some of the land for himself If possible. Ike said that 1t
 was his purpose not to attempt to se- cure, a cancellation of the land patents
 if possible; his private right thereafter tos secure some of the land if he chose. is Senator Tiilman's statement follows:
 1" T have shastily read the statement issued by the Attorney General and SO far. as father it's import, there Is snog conflicting of veracity between
 us, but rather one of memory. The Attorney-Qenerai says: According to my recollection, the Senator stated that the lands had be- come of, great, value and many persons wished to purchase sections, and he added that he would be glad to do SO himself, if he could do so. but he never told me a. word of any connection on hts part with an. arrangement to ac- quire. some part of these landA nor that he intended. expected or even de- sired at that time. to make any such purchase.
 Further on. the Attorney General says: I twas totally Ignorant until l saw the document transmitted to Senator Hale that Senator Tillman at the time of the conversation with me had a private interest whatever, actual or in expectation, in connection
 with the subject of our conversation . ]. AAr. Bonaparte uses the word 'ar- rauaement and nothing that had ever come out in this controversy justifies that word. not even the letter of Feb. Is. But feel very sure that l men, tioned the valuable character of the land and that my intention in the mat ter had been first aroused because I wanted to purchase 1t and told him so.
 'AS to the Attorney Generals state ment about my private interests. whether actual or in expectation.' he Is technically correct, while actually Incorrect. my private interests at that time being confined solely To the de- sire that might get some of the land
 If the Government should cancel the patents. but that was so problematical that 1t. amounted to nothing. It was my public duty to secure the cancel lation of the patents if possible, after which 1t was my private right to buy some of 1t if I chose. As there were 2.100.0O0 acres In the two grants in question. and only wanted LAO acres, tn relative interests are easy to see. 7 The Attorney-General. in the open ing part of his statement, gives the ist-of parties and corporations against whom suit has been brought, but fail to see anything about any suit being instituted to recover the land granted to the State of Oregon to aid in the construction of a military wagon road from the, naviSable waters of Coos Bay to Roseburg.
 These lands were the ones In which was interested and about which I spoke to the Attorney General, and they were incorporated both in the which he drew up and in the Joint resolution which became law.
 Has, or has not the Attorney Gen eral obeyed the act of Congress, as indulred in my speech Monday. fand if not, why not?
 E .'rhe 'Attorney-General mentions the suits against various companies and to recover the railroad lands which are subject to entry by actual settlers only; the military road grant permitted and directed the sale ,o settlers. have never eontem- ,lated the purchase of any railroad and. because l had no idea of becoming m actual settkr in oregon or of at empting 10 have any bogus transac- ions such as have brought so many people into trouble.
 eff the Attorney-General Is ready to wear that never told him my inter ,st was excited and the informa ton
 had sought was due to my desire 10 purchase the military road lands, i'm equally ready to swear that I did, md leave the people of the country. to 'eHeve which ever one of Us they h ooSe
 speaking of railroad lands, his tatement Is absolutely correct in every speaking of military