The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-09
Roosevelt Sends Letters Of Con-
vlncing Evidence Showing
Tillman's Schemes
BOUGHT MUCH LAND HIMSELF
President Quotes From Letters Be
tween Tillman and His Agent Lee,
Asking to Have the Best Land For
Him.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8-Presi.
dent Roosevelt tonight made public
details oi the investigation by post.
Office inspectors and secret service
agents Of Senator T'illman's connec-
ton with alleged 'iand grab in Ore
gon.
Senator Tillman did not permit the
fact that the President was giving out
charges against him to alter his deter
mination to make no statement until
Monday. No effort was made BY him
TO conceal the fact that he had learn
ed facts concerning the grant he had
made an effort to obtain portion for
himself and family, but declared that
at the most he could have gotten pos
session of only few hundred acres,
his efforts were after all, in behalf Of
the public and not specifically In his
own interest Immediately after con-
clusion Of Chaplain's prayer Monday,
Tillman will ask recognition Of the
chair on the. question Of personal
privilege, Departing from his custom,
he viii read his statement.
The communication, which is to
Senator Hale, is entirely 5000 words
long and in addition there is append
Cd numerous exhibits, including
copies of letters written by TiIlman
and his agent, w. Z. Lee, that show
they did make an effort to secure
quarter sections of the Oregon land
md the report Of postofice inspec-
ors who investigated the transaction
# land agents. II was through this
Investigation that the alleged inter
st Of Tillman was brought to light |
md at his instigation the inquiry was
'egun. The president says that he
hould be obliged to Congress for
lending to show that Sc
ret service has been used as
police Of morals" to shadowing sena-
ors, congressman and other public
,ficial,
The president says that Tillman
allied the attention Of the Senate to
circular Of a syndicate in Oregon
ffering the sale Of lands, particular.
7 those in Coos and Douglas coun-
iesa in Oregon, which had been
ranted to corporations, BY the gov
rnment, the circular stating that the
in possession Of them, re-
Used to sell them according to the
srms Of the agreement, and that
mong those who have spoken for a
art Of the land was Senator Tillman.
The president says that Tillman de-
led the statements in the circular:
lat Tillman had not bought or tried
, buy any land in Oregon, and that
. wanted the people to note @That
lis swindler at Portland has no war
int whatsoever for endeavoring to
vestigate others into his game"
The president then says he eneloses
circular referred to the inspectors q
port and Photographic fac-similes a
letters imposed and kilograms D
ON Tillman and his agent w. +. b
ee, as exhibits. The president says D
at It appears that Tillnlan wrote v
tiers to Reeder and Watkins Of ),
Oregon, who were the Ii
torneys representing the people v
io were applicants for the purpose q
'taining a certain wagon road, land i,
ant; Door was agent, making his c
ings through Reeder and Watkins. al
llmar, In the course Of his letter, li
ID. n wired you from Wausea,
Isl, as follows and write to confirm ii
William a. Lee, my agent, with lte