54 



Mr. Fiero. — Does it slate there that there ar,e denuded lands ? 



■Mr. Adams. — There is no mention of denuded lands; they are 

 charged a lump sum on the whole; the question may be whether they 

 are not denuded lands, and they are selling the State their denuded 

 lands and claiming that the State's denuded lands ought not to be 

 paid for; I think' that is all of the documentary evidence from the 

 Comptroller's office. 



Mr. Hij?t. — Mr. Chairman, I would ask how long we are to sit to- 

 night ? 



Chairman Ryan. — Mr. Adams, have you all the information you 

 require from the Comptroller's office ? 



Mr. Adams. — Yes, sir. 



Mr. Anibax.— We would like to ask this gentleman several ques- 

 tions hereafter. 



Mr. Adams. — Mr. Chairman, I do not recognize the right of counsel 

 to cross-examine here. My view about the investigation is that the 

 State is pursuing an investigation for information; they can seek this 

 information in any way and from any source. If the members of this 

 commission think anything has come out that requires explanation, 

 the other side may ask leave for the witness to explain, and the com- 

 mittee may grant such request, because in that way they will secure 

 further light. I do not understand that counsel of the commissioners 

 have anything more now to do than to see that the commissioners are 

 not asked improper questions, going beyond the jurisdiction of a 

 legislative body, or if questions are asked that may tend to criminate 

 the commissioners, they may consult with counsel as to the propriety 

 of answering the questions. After the committee conclude their 

 investigation, then as a matter of favor the explanation may be drawn 

 out by the other side, and questions may be asked tending to explain 

 the views which they entertain. 



Mr. FnsRO. — I do not understand the counsel. I understood him 

 to start out by denying any right whatever to cross-examine, and then 

 at the close he says we have a right to examine. 



Chairman Ryan. — As a matter of courtesy. 



Mr. Adams. — I say ij; is a matter of courtesy. 



Mr. Piebo. — I am not going to bandy words as to whether it is a 

 matter of right or a question of courtesy. It is an extraordinary 

 proposition that any one summoned before a committee of this 

 character should not be represented by counsel and the witnesses 

 examined by counsel. It does not seem to me that^it is worth while 

 to argue to this committee that it is not only proper but absolutely 

 right, a right to which no legislative committee has ever attempted to 



