Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-07-10
The New Surveyor General.

We have Just rece.vea letter from Piatt
Smith, ESQ.,, Of Dubuque, in relation to the poll
CT Of the New Surveyor General, WI Oh we copy
ifall. 1t speaks for i'self.-Fairfeld Ledger.
DUBUQUE, Iowa. June 6, 1891.
Mr O. McCraney,
Dear Sir:--I see BY the last number of the
Ledger that Won have made some rather severe
remarks in relation to the Surveyor General and
his course Of policv. | have had 80 long an ac-
1uaintance with you that know YOU wousd not
designedly do any person an injustice. These re-
marks owe their origin TO a mistaken idea Of the
real facts in the case. George MADEIRA has 70
contract nor any interest in one but h son,
Francis Madeira. has one jointly with Waldo. =
II is taken in their Joint names surveyed jointly
BY them in the field, and the profits divided equal
".
You make mention in that article about the
sssilent thieves'' who are receiving part Of the
Surveyor Generals Office; with regard 10 this
think you are also mistaken. | believe that
have good opportunity Of Knowing the course
that has been pursued There has been a good
many contracts let, and Surveyors have been
taken from almost every quarter OF the two
States, and no person has contract, nor an inter-
ct in one, to my knowledge, who has not gone
Into the field to Go the work. On the contrary,
where any person has made advances towards
having an interest in contract, who would not
% into the field to do the work himself, he has
net with decided rebuke. You say in that article
Dat yoado not care to which party work is given
provided il is given to TACTICAL work a, men.
think Mr. Sargent in this respect. has given about
two jobs to Wings where he has given one TO
Democrats; and | might state with regard TO
Gen. Booth, that although he has never done
JOB before yet he is doing his own work, and his
opportunities for acquiring knowledge of SUI
veying were very good and that he IS abundant
u qualified TO perform the task and will do it
The objection on the score of politics wend lie
b him as to others I have no idea that the
esurse Of the Surveyor General will give any
ding like universal satisfaction. There is no
pefson in the world that could give snch satsfac-
6cu, but so far as the northern part of Iowa is
concerned, and might add also Wisconsin, as
tar Is have heard any sentiments expressed, ii
Y that his course is very satisfactory. In two
" three instances he has given jobs TO two per-
scas, but these cases the TIVE are boaad In the
contract and are compelled 10 execute the Job
jointlv, both are to be on the ground during the
sxecn,lon' Of the work. The transaction must
Be entered into over and above boar., the s,me az
any other fair business transaction is entered into
ard thew Flitst he persons IN whom the Surveyor
(3ene.s' has an 10 abted confidence as to he will and
ab;litv TO do the work. He has been resolase and
determined as to secret understandings in relation
to other persons having interests; that the old
practice shall no longer prevail What he does
y done opcaiy and no person can heve anv in
terest except he who goes into the field and does
the work si
make this statement, supposing Won have
had the course. of the present Surveyor General
nisepreseated bv some person who has been
disappointed, and for the further reason that |
know YOU would do no man an injustice if you
knew il.
lam, dear sir. yours, Sc.
tl1's rLATr SMITH.