Show I GIDEON J TUCKER Tile Man Who a sHe Cant Afford to be a Rascal A STBAIGHT TIP TO GEOTER I The IrIsh X tlonal League Bloody Affair To Search the Houses Big Land Sale GIDEON J TUCKER The Colotial Curiosity of theTttne teenth Century NEW YOEX November 6The fellow ing letter to the President has been published NKW YORK November 6 IS8 To Grover Cte land Praidettt of the United Stairs Wathinjton D C SirThe newspapers state that you have designated me as a commissioner to examine and report upon 100 miles of railroad constructed bythe Oregon ds California Railroad Company in southwestern south-western Orcgocc No such appeintmen has reached merbut as public announcement announce-ment was made at the White House bj your private secretary to newspaper I reporters I assume it to have I been made or determined upon By such inquiry as I have been en abled to maker I learn that the Commicsionshiip is provided for in I those laws by which a corrupt Congress has in late years given away to railroad rail-road capitalists vast tracts of lands belonging to the American people sub jec to favorable reports when made to the President by the commissioners named by him examine completed roads My training and avocations have not especially fitted me for such examinations audit is doubtful whether my employment in them would be beneficial or satisfactory to the public But I have a further declining the office An examination of this kind I am told is treated as a court entertainment given to commissioners by officials of the road subject to examination free rides in palace cars of free quarters at hotels and hospitality hospital-ity which is at the same time generous and selfish are commonly extended A favorable report however just lies under the imputation of having been purchased On the other hand the Commissioner who would refuse all favors cannot more than earn the expenses ex-penses of ordinary travel I am a poor man depending upon my work for my income and cannot afford to take this appointment In accepting my declination declina-tion please also accept my respectful acknowledgements Signed GIDEOX J TUCKEB |