The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-05-12
TIE ESQ, 900 GAipAin Gsags.

The unblushing corruption exhibited by
the history OF the claim OF forty thousand
dollars, paid to Dick Thompson, by the pres
ent Locoiooo Sec'y Of Treasury, stamps the
character OF the present Administration for
Ill time. The transaction Stands without
Justification or excuse in its naked enormity,
bold swindle OF the Indians aud the Gov
eminent out Of forty thousand dollars, BY
Secretary Cobb, to pay Richard W. Thomp-
son for his Aid in promoting the election Of
james Buchanan. Here are the facts.
"Aprevious Congress had passed bill APP
propriasing $24o, 900 to pay the Monomonee
Indians for land surrendered by them to the
Government. Soon after which Richard w.
Thompson, of Indiana, formerly whig men,
Der Of Congress, presented bill to the In
dams for $50, 900 for payment for his servi-
ces as an agen: for getting the bill through.
subsequently, he reduced the bill one. half
He only wanted the Indians to pay him forty
thousand dollars the 'sred children" refused
pay him q red cent, and denied his right to
claim anything OF them. They received the
money in full from the Government, and d.
videdtpro rata among the tribe, and Thomp-
son got nothing. lie resolved, however, not
"to give il up go" and he appeared, like
sturdy beggar, before Congress with his forty
thousand dollar claim. He asked the Gov
eminent to pay his private claim against an
Indian tribe. By dint Of perseverance, he
managed to get the bill passed, but as it
passed, as shown by the journals Of both the
Senate and House, it contained proviso,
that no money should be paid him unless che
obtained the consent Of the Monomonses."
This bill Was pushed through at the heels OF
former Congress, but whenit appeared en-
rolled the propiso Uds NOT there. BY some
mysterious management the enrolling Clerk
had omitted the important proviso, oil acct
dental Of course.
Thompson having got the bill signed in
the shape he wanted to have it, appeared be-
fore Mr.. Manypenny, the Indian Commission
er, for his forty thousand dollars. Many
penny denounced the claim as fraudulent,
and Secretary Guthie, under the advice Of
the Attorney General Gushing, refused to
pay one cent until the consen, Of tho Menom-
onees should be obtained, or the omission Of
the proyiso confirmed by Congress. Mr..
Thompson then agreed to take the SENSE of
the Menomonees as to the justice Of his
claim, and an agent was sent to them to in
dacs them to consent They refused uaani-
mously 20 give their consent, which fact is
quite remarkable, as it would take no money
from them, but merely lift $4,000 from the
National Treasury, and put it into Thomp.
sons pocket.
"The subject was again brought up before
Congress at the last session, and the act as
previously enrolled, passed the Senate BY a
close vote, one of it's most earnest opponents
being Mr.. Pugh Of Ohio. The Senate bill
went to the House, but TINT body never acted
upon it, and it lies dead now upon the Clerks
desk"
Thus the matter stood when the present
Administration, which seems to have natu-
raj love for "thieves," came into power
Thompson put in his claim for $40 900, and
Secretary Cobb in spite of former decisions,
and against law and justice, and notwith-
standing the written protest Of Manypenny,
Gushing and Guthrie, drew forty thousand
dollars out of the Treasury OF the United
States and paid II to Thompson.
That was worse than Eads and Wallng,
fav when Eads tonk twelvn thousopd DALAI,
Of the school money, he did get long note
payable 10 himself in his private capacity,
though without security. But Cobb care
Thompson forty thousand dollars in pay ment
Of political services, and pretended that he
was paying government debt.