Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-06
INQUIRY INTO LAND OFFICE
Continued from First Page.)

-a
His acts are misconstrued and his motives
questioned. Insinuation and ~innuendoes are
freely made under the guise OF the public
welfare, but in reality to foster some pri-
vate interest. Popular views are taken
advantage Of to discredit an official. who,
after Investigating all phases of a subject,
may reach a decision at variance with
some private interest.
Many do not stop to think how seldom
have government officials gone astray
compared with their opportunities and
temptations for wrong doing. In the LIS
years of our national life few of the men
in high positions have been actuated by
other than the highest and most patriotic
motives. This should cause our people to
hesitate to accept charges of base con-
duct against their public servants without
investigation and proof.
Lauds ~BaIIinger's Acts.
The press and magazines Of the coun-
try for several months have been filled
with charges against the present secre-
tary of the interior and his conduct OF the
office he holds. These charges range
from petty destinations and innuendoes to
direct charges OF malfeasance and miscon-
duct in office, which, If true,
showed thai he has unworthily
| discharged his trust. A moments
thought should cause an. honest and fair
minded man to hesitate to accept such
charges against a man whose whole life
heretofore has been one of the highest rec
titude and against whom no dishonorable
| charge has ever been made in either pri-
vate or public life.
"Such a man is the present secretary of
the interior. He Is over so years Of age,
an honored graduate of Williams college
and a lawyer of distinction. He came to
our state In 1889 and has lived there ever
since. He was a superior judge for four
years and mayor of the city Of Seattle,
Wash, and his administration of that Of
flee has been a model for his successors
He accepted the office of commissioner OF
the general Ian office at the urgent solicit
has used his high office to advance spe-
cial interests, IL he has sacrificed the peo-
pie Tor private or personal gain, let it be
shown. II, on the other hand, the people
have been deceived and he has been un,
Justly accused, that should be shown, moi
only hi justice may be done him. blu
that the confidence of the public in the
honesty and integrity of it's public servants
may be restored and strengthened and the
animus of the attacks disclosed.
Difference Only in Methods.
Much has been said regarding his views
on the conservation OF our natural re
sources. This / shall not discuss at this
time. / believe that it will be shown thai
his purposes and objects are substantially
the same as those Of the most radical con
servationist. and the main difference II
but one OF methods. Assuredly there Is
room for an honest difference Of opinion
as to how our great natural resources car
best be conserved. l may agree with SOM
OF the views of those who ~cTiticise thu
policies, the methods and proposals Of tn
secretary. but that he is honest and pa
triotic in his views l have not the slight
est doubt. One thing is sure, we havl
had several years OF talk about conserva
ton. we have had platitude piled upoI
no specific or detailed plans for conserva
ton have been presented.
TT present secretary Of the interior. In
stead of drawing gllttering generalities, ha
made specific recommendations regarding
all the important conservation problems s
far as they came within the iurisdlctior
OF his department and has prepared an
submitted to the careful scrutiny of tn
people and of congress legislation that h
considers necessary to effect the object
so much desired By all. lie recommend
the repeal OF the timber and stone law
and the disposal OF the timber separat
from the son. He recommends that COS
deposits be separated from the title I