The Writings of Carl Schurz/To George F. Edmunds, January 24th, 1882
TO GEORGE F. EDMUNDS
I have to thank you for your kind letter informing me that the papers connected with my ruling in respect to the Northern Pacific railroad grant have been referred to the Judiciary Committee. I fear I did not make myself sufficiently clear when asking you to move an investigation of my official conduct in that case. Not only is the ruling itself attacked as incorrect, but I find myself charged in some public papers—and these charges seem to have been called forth by a resolution introduced in the Senate—with having by an arbitrary stretch of authority as Secretary of the Interior “restored” to the Northern Pacific railroad a forfeited land grant, and with having done this to benefit a personal friend, Mr. Henry Villard, who is alleged to have been then as now the principal party interested in that road. These charges do not only appear in certain newspapers, but they are, as I am advised, circulated and countenanced by some Members of Congress.
Inasmuch as they touch the integrity of a great Executive department in an important official act, they may be considered entitled to attention, not as a mere matter of personal concern, but as a matter of public interest. The people ought to know whether their affairs have been honestly administered or not. It is, therefore, of importance that it be generally known, not only whether the ruling made in the case referred to, is correct, in point of law, but whether the allegations made concerning the circumstances under which it was made, have any foundation.
It can very easily be shown that the case, before being decided, was most carefully and conscientiously considered on its merits; that, as a legal question, it was submitted to the Attorney-General; that the Attorney-General heard elaborate argument upon it; that the decision as it stands was drawn up according to his instructions; that in all parallel cases he declared it to be not only within the power but the duty of the Executive under such circumstances to recognize land grants as still legally existing and to act accordingly; that Mr. Henry Villard had neither at the time when the ruling was made nor for nearly two years afterwards any interest in the Northern Pacific Company; that he was, on the contrary, interested in a rival enterprise, and that there was absolutely no connection between him and the ruling in question and no communication, direct or indirect, about it between him and me.
It is not only of interest to me but also to the public that the truth should be brought out in some way sufficiently authoritative to stand above cavil. If to that end it is best that the Committee, to which the matter has been referred, be authorized to send for persons and papers, to swear witnesses and thus to ascertain the facts by way of a formal and public investigation, I should be glad to have that done. If the object can be accomplished in some less expensive and circumstantial way, I should be satisfied. I appeal to you as to a friend of truth and justice, for your judgment as to what should be done, and your aid in doing it.