Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-06-16

rigid scrutiny and examination the in
terror department has been under dur
ing the inquiry and says nothing has
been revealed which reflects upon the
loyalty, the integrity. the good faith,
the sense of duty of any man therein"
The only persons who can be criti-
cised," continues Mr.. Vertrees, ARE
those who have been discharged, and
have arrayed themselves against the
secretary and the department Of the
interior"
Mr. Vertrees says the accusations
against Mr.. Ballinger relate, ohlcially,
to his policies with respect to conser-
walton, water power sites and reclama-
ton and to his course with respect to
the Cunningham claims; and, person.
ally, to certain acts OF alleged profess
sional improperly committed by him
as lawyer, not as an official, but when
in private life.
Discussing the Garfield policy OF is
suing cooperative certificates" where
by reclamation projects could be ex-
banded and extended, the brief says
Mr.. Ballinger's view that those certi-
ficates were illegal was fully sustained
by the attorney generals opinions.
Another of the Garfield policies" re-
versed by Mr. Ballinger, was the "co-
operative agreement" between the in
terror and agriculture departments
ployes of the Indian bureau was
given over to the forestry bureau.
Thus. 1t appears that these policies
were matters about which there was a
very earnest and sincere difference Of
opinion" says Mr.. Vertrees. Mr.. Gar
field and Mr.. Pinchot entertained one
view, and that view is described as the
Garfield policy" Mr.. Ballinger enter
tanned different view, and the result
was. coming in. as he did, as the sue
cessor of Mr.. Garfield, he and Mr.. Pin
chot regarded, or affect to regard, him
as an enemy to conservation and to re-
clamation, and all because he did not
concur in the policies which they had
pursued.
THE suggestion now to be made, 1t
would seem, ought to dispose of the
inquiry SO far as the supervisory power
and the questions involved Hereunder
are concerned. l submit that 1t Is en-
tirely beyond the authority or jurisdic-
ton of a committee of the congress, or
of the congress itself, to censure the
secretary of the interior, cabinet Of
flyer, because Of his views In matters OF
departmental policy"
In answer to criticisms Of Mr.. Bal
fingers conduct Mr.. Vertrees says.
First of ALL as has already been
shown, there was no information OF a
secret character in the land Office which
Mr.. Ballinger could have used. The re-
ports on file are favorable to the
claims. The affidavits on file were
well known to the atlantis themselves.
1t was not possible for him. therefore,
to have used information obtained by
him as commissioner. The objection
that the performance of a service of
this character was forbidden by law is
equally unfounded."
Washington, June 11-Former For
ester Clifford Pinchot has descended on
the capitol for the avowed purpose of
exerting his influence to prevent, If
possible, the passage by the Senate of
the administration bill to permit the
president to withdraw public lands for
conservation purposes.
This action was taken as the result
Of an interview he had with Senator
Smoot, who is in charge of the meas
ure, In which the former forester sought
the adoption of an amendment strik-
ing out the provision which would per-
init OF the exploration and purchase
OF withdrawn lands under the mining
laws.
1t is said there was sharp clash
between Senator Smoot and Mr.. Pin
chot, who had been fast friends for
many years. Their views were directly
opposed, and when they separated Mr.
Ptnchot announced that he felt ii to BIZ
his duty to prevent the passage of the
bill or bring about it's amendment II
It were possible for him to do SO.
In his statement to Mr. Smoot, Mr.
Pinchot declared that the Objectionable
clause would permit the filing Of a
mining claim upon a power site and
the government could hot dislodge the
claimant, regardless of how great a
monopoly was created Mr.. Smoot re-
piled that even the mining claim would
not be allowed without investigation
and that 1t would be necessary for the
upon contained valuable mineral
1t is expected that Mr. Dolliver, to
whom Mr. Pinchot addressed the letter
which resulted In his dismissal from the
government service, will be the former
foresters champion in the move to COM
pei, II possible, the adoption of an
amendment to the bill. Mr.. Dolliver has
given notice of his intention by declar-
ing on the Senate floor that the bill
as 1t now stands would permit water
power monopoles to be established
simply by filing mineral claims. His
charge was denied by several senators.
An incident occurred in the House
the other day which for time threat
ened to result in the election of Fin
surgent' senators from the floor. where
they had gone to consult with "insur-
gent members of the House during
the arguments on the question of ac-
ceptlng Senate amendments to the
railroad bill
Senator La Toilette, Of Wisconsin,
frequently goes on the floor of the
House when measures in which he Is
personally interested are under con-
sideration. He did so on this day and
with him went Senators Bristow. of
Kansas, and Clapp, of Minnesota.
When confusion had mounted rather
high Speaker Cannon calling the House
to order, remarked that If gentlemen
accorded the privileges of the floor by
courtesy of the House did not cease
conversation the rules of the House
would be enforced against them. That
Senator La Toilette was referred to was
not doubted by those who observed
the incident.
Some time ago Speaker Cannon was
On the floor of the Senate when Sen
ator La Toilette was delivering a
speech. Suddenly the Wisconsin SEN
ator turned and called for order. Mr..
Cannon, who was talking, retired to
a cloak room
A dramatic tale of enforced flight
from Mexico and Of alleged persecution
by American and Mexican officers In
this country was related to the rules
committee of the House yesterday by
l.. De Lara, political refugee.
L..