Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-12-15
FRIDAY. DEC. Is. 1871.

Mr.. Harlan AID the Pension Frauds.
We print in another column an
article from the Chicago Tribune
giving certain statements concern
ing irregularities in the granting
of Indian pensions by the interior
department during Mr.. Harlan's
administrator of its affairs, and in
which it is made to appear that the
Secretary himself was not entirely
without responsibility and blame
in the matter.
The charge against Mr.. Harlan
is not that he deliberately concoct-
ed the fraud and shared in the plum
der, but that by laxity Of discipline,
and disregard of all safe and legal
rules Of procedure, he presented
the opportunity for rascality to 9TH
ers. While the evidence, pro or
con, as yet offered, is not sufficient
to warrant an opinion as to the ex-
tent of Mr., Harlan's agency in this
particular matter, we nevertheless,
are compelled to say that if it
should prove to be as reported by
his enemies, there is nothing in our
estimation of his character which
would allow US to be surprised at
such result. There is an unmis
taxable flavor of corruption sur
rounding many of the transactions
Of the department while under his
charge, which has been very inn
perfectly dissipatcd by any effort
yet made by Mr.. Harlan or his
friends. Our readers doubtless re-
momber the charges laid at his door
by the Cincinnati Gazette year
or two ago and the manner in
which they were met. Coming as
they did from one Of the strcspec-
table and influential journals of the
Republican party in the country,
they demanded other notice than
that accorded therein by Mr.. Har-
Ian. Instead of seeking his yindi-
cation in the verdict of his peers in
the Senate, after thorough inves-
tigation of the whole matter, Mr..
Harlan set his henchmen and paid
clerks to writing letters for publ
cation in Iowa and elsewhere, de-
signed to neutralize the accusations
made against him. Much Of this
correspondence was devoted to
counter attacks upon the character
Of his accusers and very little Of 1t
was of character calculated to
have effect with cool, non-partisan
readers. The former course was
alike demanded by the specific ma
ture of the indictment against him,
and the high character and stand
ing of the journal which gave it en-
dorscment and currency. The
State Register, which at that time
was one Of Mr.. Harlan's most Wig
orous defenders, is now fain to
acknowledge that it grew weary of
defending him when it discovered
that he was Indifferent about de-
Tending himself. 1t says:
We realized then, most wildly. that
Senator Harlan. in one letter could have
done more toward indicating himself
than we could in all our multiplied col
umns, and we wondered, too, why he
didn't do it. This wonder has increased
since we have seen him. for thing much
less serious, not one hundrcth part so
damaging, appear before the public IN
lengthy letter over his own signature to
explain the Newman Letter.
This indlsposition on the part of
Mr.. Harlan to court investigation
Of his acts or to attempt his own
defense, went far to convince many
thinking men of his own party that
there might be flaw in his record,
and that possibly he was not the
political sa,at his interested adhe.
rents would have the public believe.
As it was then, SO it seems likely
to be now. Although repeatedly
adjured by some Of the leading Re
publican papers of the State to take
notice Of this present charge against
his integrity and, if untrue, to re-
flute it by production Of the Official
records Of his actions, Mr.. Harlan
still preserves discreet silence
The inference which every unbi-
assed mind will place upon this will
be, that such refutation cannot be
found in the record.
From the above may DC gathered
our estimate of Mr.. Harlan's integ-
rity. Ithas not been hastily formed,
nor is it influenced by any prede-
Lotions we may entertain for rival
candidate for Senator. Indeed, ow-
ing to recent unpleasant revelations,
We have practically little interest
in the Senatorial issue as represent
ed by the two prominent candidates,
and could wish that Iowa should be
more fifty represented in the Senate
than will be the case with either.
The recent rise in freights be-
tween the east and west, amounting