403 



Mr. Fiero. — Will the chairman allow me to ask Mr. Cox with regard 

 to that letter ? Mr. Cox, were you elected a member of the Adiron- 

 dack Preserve Association to your knowledge ? 



Mr. Cox. — Not that I have ever heard of. 



Mr. Fiebo.— This Mr. Beebe, was he at one time a forester in the 

 employ of the commission on your recommendation ? 



Mr. Cox.— Yes. 



Mr. Fiero. — Was he discharged? 



Mr. Cox.— Yes. 



Mr. Fiero. — Did you vote for his discharge ? 



Mr. Cox. — Yes. 



Mr. Fiero.— Why? 



Mr, Cox. — I didn't think he was a fit man. 



Mr. Fiero. — What did you find out about it ? 



Mr. Cox. — I found out he wasn't doing his duty. 



Mr. Fiero. — Discharged about the same time Lynch was? 



Mr. Cox. — I don't remember about that; I think likely though. 



The Witness. — Now I will read, if the committee will permit me, a 

 letter written two days after this by the same man to Samuel F. 

 Garmon, and shown by him to me: 



Indian Lake, November 30, 1889. 

 Mr. S. F. Garmon: 



Dear Sir.— I have the good reason to think that the same club that 

 got Beebe appointed forester are now playing to get the same appoint- 

 ment of their present agent to have the State pay their agent another 

 year's salary. 1 have written to Mr. Cox giving him a hint that I 

 know the inside history of the Beebe affair and asking his advice in 

 regard to Beebe. It is one of a series of sketches which I am writing 

 on the Adirondacks, thinking it might make an interesting article. I 

 shall be in Albany about the tenth or twelfth of December, and I hope 

 you will be able to impress it on the minds of the commission that it 

 will not be good policy to leave anybody lying outside of the breast- 

 works much longer. The weather is cold and I am getting chilly and 

 need exercise to warm me, and would much rather take that exercise 

 with the commission than otherwise. But, as a matter of fact, all that 

 I want to satisfy myself is some appointment and vindication. If they 

 will give me the berth of special agent, to investigate applications for 

 the redemption of State lands within the forest preserve, with salary 

 only when on duty, if there should not be ten days' work a year, that 

 part would suit me all the better; for I repeat all I want of them is a 

 vindication, the salary is no object, and if they will not do this I wil 



