346 



Q. Shortly after the passage of that act your commission passed a 

 resolution that you would not exchange any land ? 



A. Yes, sir. -. 



Q. You would not carry out the policy ? 



A. Yes, sir; I was not in favor of that although I didn't vote against 

 it; I didn't like that resolution. 



Q. Did you make any protest against it ? 



A. No, sir; what was the use; I got tired of arguing about that 

 sort of thing. 



Q. Didn't you 'feel that it was your duty as an official of the State to 

 protest against the action of the commission in refusing to obey an 

 act of the Legislature ? 



A. I didn't take it in that light; I talked with some of my friends 

 and asked them if they thought I had better bring in a minority 

 report, and they recommended me to try and make it as harmonious 

 as possible. , 



Q. Did you bring in a minority report ? 



A. No, sir; I was recommended not to. 



Q. Where were you to bring it in ? 



A. Anywhere; for instance, if we were going to report to the Legis- 

 lature I thought I might bring in a minority report on some subjects, 

 and I was recommended not to do so; it" was thought better for the 

 workings of the department that it should be as harmonious as 

 possible. 



Q. In order to induce harmony, to let the others do as they chose? 

 - A. No, sir; I didn't let them do it; they did it themselves. 



Q. "When they did it you didn't protest ? 



A. No, sir; except silently in my heart. 



Q.' Can you tell us who it was thajt advised you not to make any 

 protest ? 



A. No, sir. 



Q. Have you ever transmitted any report to the Legislature in 

 obedience to the law passed about a year ago ? 



A. I guess that is the only one; the only one that has been sent in 

 has been sent in. 



By Mr. Connelly: 



Q. Did you used to preside at the meetings of the commission ? 

 A. I sat there. 



Q. "When the commission met for the purpose of transacting busi- 

 ness, did you take the chair and preside? 

 A. I sat between the two; I sat at the head of the table. 

 Q. Did you put motions ? 



