155 



A. Well, I mean in this way; if the man went willfully on State 

 lands and cut them, that is one thing; on the other hand, if he went 

 on State lands by an error or mistake of lines, or something of that 

 kind, that is another; in our appointments of a force we endeavored 

 to appoint such men as would be most useful to us in stopping and 

 reporting trespasses to us, and their evidence was something that was 

 generally vouched for by some parties. 



Chairman Ryan. — While the charges were against him you appointed 

 him to that position ? 



A. That is more than I can tell you; I hardly think it would be fair 

 to draw that inference. 



Q. I think it is in evidence already before the committee that such 

 complaints were made against this man. 



Mr. Anibal. — I would suggest to Mr. Adams that Mr. Powers is in 

 the room here; he can tell him all there is about it, and that they 

 were settled long ago; long before his appointment; years before it. 



Mr. Adams. — That won't do before this committee; it may out in 

 small courts in the country. 



Mr. Anibal. — I made the suggestion. I supposed you wanted 

 information. 



Mr. Adams. — I do when it is in proof here what reports were made 

 against this man as a trespasser anterior to his appointment, and his 

 case was not settled; the information I want. 



Mr. Piebo. — That isn't in proof; the case wasn't settled. 



Mr. Adams. — The information I want is whether Mr. Basselin thinks 

 he was properly appointed. 



Mr. Fiero. — That is the point in regard to it; I challenge the proof. 



Mr. Adams. — The evidence is there; the committee will correct me 

 if I am wrong. 



Mr. Fiebo. — The minutes will correct you. 



Q. Do you know a man over in Essex county by the name of Ed. 

 Talbot? 



A. Whether he is in Essex county or not I couldn't tell you; he 

 was sergeant-at-arms, I think, of the Assembly for two years, and 

 sheriff of the county, I think. 



Q. Did he hold any appointment under your commission ? 



A. No, sir; I don't think he did. 



Q. Was he at your office; did you ever see him at your office? 



A. I think he was. 



Q. Did you ever see him there with Lynch ? 



A. That is more than I can tell you. • 



