500 



a close examination than this statement in regard to the duties of the 

 forester in that locality. 



• Mr. Adams — I stated it exactly as Commissioner Basselin stated it 

 in his evidence; I didn't look through the books. 



Mr. Pieeo. — The report made January, 1891, and which ifc in 

 existence, contains this information, and it is a mere matter of com- 

 putation. I must say that I have no recollection of Commissioner 

 Basselin making any such statement, although I do not deny the fact; 

 the minutes are probably the best source of information in regard to 

 that. 



No criticism is made with regard to the discharge of the duty by 

 any person except Warden Garmon, except by way perhaps of insinu- 

 ation with reference to Commissioner Basselin. As to Warden' Gar- 

 mon, the charge is made that at a certain time he entered into an 

 agreement, which is termed a corrupt agreement, but as to all the 

 other officers, beginning with the secretary and going through the 

 entire list, there is no suggestion whatever that their entire duty 

 has not been performed, and the entire weight of the attack falls upon 

 the warden. That is based entirely upon the evidence of Benton 

 Turner. Benton Turner, the counsel says, we have undertaken to 

 break down. Break down Benton Turner's evidence? Why, it has 

 not vitality enough to stand alone when it is backed up by the whole 

 power of the State, which it has been, by bringing him here, and 

 giving him a certain amount of credit. Break it down. There isn't 

 enough vitality in the evidence so that it can be possibly bolstered 

 up. It is almost an insult to 'this committee to argue that the 

 evidence of Benton Turner is unworthy of belief, because it sup- 

 poses that the gentlemen of this committee have not closely fol- 

 lowed the evidence, that they have not examined into it with 

 care; that they have not noticed the inconsistency in the evidence 

 of Benton Turner himself, and the contradictions in contained. 

 At the very outset Benton Turner is condemned by the statement of 

 one of the best officials this State ever had, a man conceeded to have 

 been a model in the posi tion which he held, so much so that he was 

 promoted to a higher place in Washington and has again returned to 

 the State government because he seems to be indispensable. Thomas 

 E. Benedict, as deputy comptroller, has stated exactly what there is 

 with regard to Benton Turner, when' in his letter of page 606 of the 

 evidence he stated what he does with reference to the situation of 

 affairs as to Benton Turner under the administration of the Comp- 

 troller's offioe. He says "Benton Turner has been the most trouble- 

 some depredator of State lands in the northern Adirondacks." 



