The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-22
THE sHoDDY ISSUE EXPOSED.

The Congressional canvass-fOr nOmina
tion-among the Republicans of this Dis
trict, wakes warm and furious. The Pres.
is absorbed in "the situation" Its candi.
Gate is WILLIAM D. WAsHBuRNE, Esq. Its
objective point is shoddy. It's Generals,
Oolonels. Majors and Captains are the
Moccasin Republicans of the State. Its
strategy is purely WHRRLocKIAN its p:o-
fession of devotion to the public interests
is all sham.
Its Richmond just now is DoNNELLY,
who, in despite of his abolitionism, which
Is fully up to the Press standard on all
that relates to the inevitable negro, has
fallen from grace, because he had the
temerity to oppose and expose the mocca-
Sin shoddyism Of the Republican politicians
of this State. For this offence, the re-
deeming characteristic of Mr.. DoNNELLYs
Congressional career, he is pursued by all
the Press gang of moccasin- shoddyites
as an unfaithful public servant, as traitor
to the shoddy cause, whose just punish
ment would be political death. 8
We haveino high opinion of the poll
tics of DoNxE1LY than of the principl of
the Press, but regard both as inmical to
the public welfare; but so far as the
shoddy issue is involved in this con est, we
could not help regarding the election
of a representative of the Press gang of
Indian shoddyites as public disgrace and
serious calamity; for such an event would
admit of only one inference, namely that
the Republicans of this State are too cor
rupt at heart to leave hope for refor.
maiOn.
The corruptions and populations prac-
ticed, with impunity thus far, by "hOnest
Old ABRs Indian officials in this State,
have been the direct cause of desOlating
war, which has depopulated our borde",
and augmented manifold opportunities
for public plumber, of which the Indian Of
fi,ia's both here and at Washington have
been swift to avail themselves. Our
whole moral and political atmosphere
smells rank of this foul corruption, viii. b
il not soon neutralized W II perpetuate
among us host of such plaques as the
leprous WILKINSON.
In the progress of the shoddy contro-
versy going on among our Republican
neighbors many secrets are revealed
which honest citizens should note, and
remember also for future guidance.
The Press of late date contained one
of it's strategetical editorial movements.
designed to protect the Indian officials
from the heavy guns of the St. Cloud
Democrat. "
The Democrat masses its columns and
pitches into the centre of the Press gang
in the following style:
From the St. Cloud Democrat, July 14'h.
We quote from the Press:
1.-THE Indian Commissioner, present at the
time tried but ia led TO pacify the Indians
Why did he fail Because the Indians asked
1t was all they asked-for an investigat on of
their wrongs. They asked that promises to
this effect made in Washington should be full
filled. But those who were with the Commits.
sioner, and who quaked in eve bone at the
thought Of honest men examining into their
affairs, know why this request was denied.
X
conclave of Indian officials assembled at st
Paul and was engaged day and night almost
in taking testimony of wi nesses against the
half ID
and their testimony warped 10 suit the designs
Of the schemers. Witnesses were subJrned;
while the sworn STATEMENTS of persons who
believed in the necessity and justice of the
treaty were not deceived. 1t was by such
means as these and by Indian authorities u
as were most interested in the 81 81, 600
sSindie. that the treaty of amiLy" Was de-
feated. -.., -.....
The inscriptions zeal with which these
men labOred tor the accomplishment of their
purpose led manv to wonder what could be
their inciLiDg motive 1t was this to prevent
an investigation which would have reyea' ed
corruption enough to have fastened upon In
dian officials q name Of undy ing intamv. I,
was feariug that such an investigation might
show into whose hands had fallen the ia So in
gold retained from the annuity money Of every
| Indian. almost of the Mississippi bands, at he
payment of 1862, for the ostensbe purpose o.
| ipdr,nnif,ing for depredaiiOns committed bu,
which depredatious have never ye' been paid
nor has tue money bcen accounted for to tht
| Indians
That it might reveal the disagreeable fac
that Indian agents aud their clerk stole iron
| the warehouses, blankets and other goods w
longing to the Indians, and Sold them TO TIL
| traders by whom they were again SOLD s.
the Indians. Aud. also, that these agen'
md their clerks subsis,ed and clothed them
selves and their families from the provision
and goods of The Indians Aud, further, INA
person, furnishing provisions and other article
ivr these same par les. we're required to Sly
vouchers whereby these purchases would U
charged to The Indian accounts.
THAT it might show how 81 ,OOO requested o
|, one of the bands 10 he taken from speci;
fund belonging TO them and invested In twin
for nets, was pOcketed by the Official ana Id
twiue taken from another band.
That it might show what account was mad
of lumber sawed for tue Indians, at their e>
penst, Tor the erection of houses, and afte
words given or disposed OF by the Agent to IL
ira iers.
That it might make public the fact that q
| Agent Of the Cnippewa., while employed
| tie government aud under its lay to alien
tn inst such business, demanded of claiman
for indemnity for dcpredaiious. a conluissio
! nj twenty-five per cent. F! S.r in other word
| that he demanded share in these claims. b
S,re he would receive them--lbus, at II
| came time swindling claimants aud yio.atiu
/ | "a, i,,a,ions Il, the government l!tgisa