The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-24
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO SWINDLE THE
GOVERNMENT. -
wasnIxerox. January 81, ls5.

WASHINGTON, JaaHary 81, 1872
Tlsere is much talk, in private circles. about
the pr0hsble success OF a grand scheme formed
amoag certain spectators in high places, in
tLis l1ty. 10 obtain possession of the island of
Rock.Ishnd, in the State Of Illinois, containing
about 900 acres OF laud, and estimated to be
vsortll upward OF S2,000.eO0. This island was
Sci apart IS military reservation as long ago
l. ., and has remained a military reserva
lion dyr more than forty years For the last
lea years, various attempts have been made by
SPECTATORS to obtain possession Gift in some way,
a a peenlaiion, but they have hitherto been
thwaried by the prompt and active measures of
tie War Depart meut. A few months after Mr..
Buchauans Inauguration. a combination was
madein this ci,y, by George W Jones, United
States Senator from Iowa, and a man calling
himself Mayor Lind2ley. 10 become possessed. of
the island, by locating lot ot squatters upon
IT, ltilJipg cabins for them to live IN, and then
setting UP pre- empti0n claims 10 1t under the
Fre-empi1on law.
The agent whom the Government employed
10 probes the island and keep squatters on, and
who. under former Administrations, has always
discharged this duty faithfully, was removed by
Mr. buchanan. and another appointed in his
place, who, 10 the surprise and aStonishment of
everybody, permitted these employees of Jones
protecting them, and doing all in his power to
a.d them IN the accomplishment OF their scheme.
! quarrel, II seems, has arisen among these
seitiers, and they have ranged themselves into
two parties, each claiming the island Is it not
& remarkable feature ia this TRANSACTION, that
United States Senators, and United States At
fOrneys and Solicitors, should be parties to a
scheme to deiraud the Government Of the I'M
ted States out Of a large and valuable tract Of
land, worth millions Of dollars, while their duty
s-1-7f-7t-T'VI r-fIs { nffels
attempts .
If appears from the Chicago Press and Tri6-
lHe that they are trying to take shelter under
some loose expire, Sious in the opinion Of Judge
Mclean, IN the Rock Island bridge case, in
which he declared iar the military reservation.
havins been abandoned in ls4e, became pan
Of tue public lands. and subject to The general
land laws. Now, If Mr. Fitch, the United
States District Attorney. understood his duties
and desired 10 execute them, and not to aid
these syindlers, he would know that the SUI
preine Court Of the United States. In a very i'm
portanl aud noted case. decided directly the
reverse Of this, when Gen. Beanbien, OF Chicago,
proved pre-emPuon right 10 the Fort Dear
born reservation N that city. In that case, not
outstanding Gen. Beanbien had resided for
thirty or forty years upon the reservation, not
nAAnTlo Tx VI Oell- JdchSOn
declaring the reservation subject to private
entry and prescription, the court decided that,
having once been military reservation, ii could
never Become subject TO private entry or pre-
emp;ion, and could only be disposed Of in such
manner as Congress should prescribe for the
sale Of military reservations. According to
that decision, these would-be pre-emptors can
have 10 claim whatever to prescription on
Rock Island.
The Commissioner OF the General Land Of
fec, learn, has decided, or is about to decide,
IL fayor OF those pre-emptors, and l also under
stand that the Secretary of the Interior is OPP
posed 70 II, and viii overrrle such decision if
made. Anticipating this last result, the con-
spiratoTs are trying 10 procure an act of Com
gress, Confirming their pretended Dre-emptions,
and II IS said that, on application of Senator
Jones aud Others Of his associates, the Commit
tee on Public Lands of the House of Repre-
sentatiyes have already agreed 10 report in favor
OF giving Rock Island, worth now a couple mil.
Ions Of dollars, and daily increasing in value.
TO a gang of plunderers for Sl.25 an acre, or a
little over SLIGO! These are the facts of this
astounding case, bnt hope the timely exposure
of this. scheme will prevent its consummation.-
Cor. PHILADELPHIA Press.