447 



A. I don't know but there might have been such charges and not 

 come to my knowledge. 



Q. You were at the Comptroller's office frequently with reference 

 to these trespasses ? 



A. No, sir; I was there a good deal. 



Q. And were making claims there in relation to State lands ? 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. During some of the time you had some difference of opinion 

 with the Comptroller's office, didn't you ? 



A. I don't know as we had. 



Q. They didn't at all times grant cancellation and redemptions as 

 asked, I am speaking of the time prior to May, 1886 ? 



A. Substantially everything that was asked and satisfactory proof 

 furnished to their office they granted. 



Q. And also satisfactory settlements were made for claimed tres- 

 passes against you, between you and them ? 



A. Whenever we had any we always got along. 



Q. Whenever you made any settlements they were satisfactory ? 



A. They had to be. , i 



Q. You know Mr. Benedict, who was deputy comptroller? 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. You had negotiations with him in relation to State lands and 

 State property? 



A. I didn't know as I had. 



Q. Had some talk in relation to trespass ? 



A. I might have had in a general way in their office; I had business 

 there with all of them. 



Mr. Anibal. — Mr. Chairman, we have a letter in this connection 

 that we want to read and ask some questions in relation to it of 

 Mr. Turner. 



Chairman Byan.< — Letter from whom? 



Mr. Anibal. — The letter is from the deputy comptroller to the forest 

 commission. 



Mr."ADAMS. — I don't suppose that is very material here. 



The Witness. — I would like to have them read it and get at the 

 originator of it, and I will show him to be about as big a scoundrel as 

 the rest of them. 



Mr. Adams. — From whom to whom and date ? 



Mr. Anibal. — The letter is addressed to the forest commission from 

 Thomas E. Benedict, and is dated April 7, 1886. 



Chairman Ryan. — There is no objection to it, but really I don't see 

 how' — 



