606 



follow it. It is not testimony, even if uncontradicted, upon which 

 any finding whatever could reasonably be made. Contradicted as it 

 is by their own assertions, and by the facts and circumstances con- 

 cerning it and by the evidence of reputable men, it is utterly and 

 entirely unworthy of credence and belief. 



Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I think I have now 

 ■discussed substantially the questions which have arisen during the 

 course of this investigation. The result of it is and must be that so far 

 as these commissioners are concerned that they appear not qnly not to 

 have been guilty of any wrongdoing either intentionally or otherwise, 

 but they have discharged in every respect fully, fairly and honestly 

 their duty toward the people of the State of New York and. they 

 are entitled at your hands to receive the commendation which 

 is justly their due. You will no( be affected by any considerations 

 outside of the evidence which has been produced before you 

 with regard to their actions. They are men who have served the 

 State faithfully without compensation, and are entitled to an honest 

 and fair determination at your hands with regard to that matter, and 

 to the only disposition which is possible upon the evidence that their 

 action has been governed entirely by the interests of the State. They 

 do not ask any favor at the hands of this committee, or of any person. 

 They do ask to be fairly treated in view of all the circumstances and 

 all their labors on behalf of the State. They only ask for simple just- 

 ice at your hands — to give them anything else would be as unfair to 

 yourselves as it would be unjust to them.' 



Hon. Eobebt P. Anibal. — Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the com- 

 mittee, I have sat in my seat here listening patiently, and I must say 

 that I was very much interested in the argument made by my friend, 

 Mr. Adams, when he stood before you here for one hour and a half 

 and, as I believe the evidence in this case will show, that not only 

 during that hour and a half he misquoted testimony but he misap- 

 plied every quotation that he made from commencement to the closing. 

 That the very argument that he made was one that had been based, 

 that had been conceived in his mind as to what he or somebody 

 else thought possible the evidence in this case would come up to 

 before thej had sat in this committee room, and in the other 

 room in' this capitol, and examined the very witnesses that have 

 been brought here. We appeal to you, gentlemen of this committee, 

 in fairness and in candor, to say whether on the part of this com- 

 mission or either of the counsel that we have in a single degree kept 

 from you one paper, one book, one document or one officer of the 

 forest commission that we have not brought here for you to examin* 



