Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-08-21

.
jure the character Of General Belknnp,
Secretary of War, in connection with
the sale OF the II. Smelling Reserya-
ton, Minnesota. At the time when
investigations we're SO popular, the
War Office did not escape attack. but
the investigations left it totally un-
scathed from the assaults of the most
artful and Inscriptions villains, who
attempted to iasten corruption and
wrong in that quarter. General Belk.
maps clear yindication totally disarm-
ed all caviiers aud not shadow
rested upon his Department.
Recently the great popularity OF
this officer. his growing prominence
before the country. has elected again
an effort TO iniure him. The effort
has not fhc least shadow Of basis on
which to rest All attack.
by An act Of Congress, many years
ago, the Secretary of War was en-
powered to sell 90 much OF military
reservations as was not needed for the
purposes nf the Government. In
1877. under this authority. Secretary
Fioyd::sold this reservation: for 500, COO,
to Mr.. Steele, he paying cash down
$4,000. Since that time the validity
OF the sale has been questioned. some
alleging that there was fraud in the
contract which ought to vitiate it, and
others. on the contrary, claiming that
il was straightforward transaction
and in strict conformity with law.
During the rebellion it seemed to rest
~ stctn quo. but since that time i,
has been matter Of much eontro-
versy.
In May, 1870, Congress passed an
act empowering the Secretary Of War
to settle all claims in relation to this
reservation, and 10 this end a Com
mission was appointed to examine and
report thereon. This Commission
consisted Of three very eminent gen.
ticmcn, to-wit: K. b Marcy, Inspcc-
tor General Of the United States, w.
N. Dunn. Assistant Judge Advocate
General, and John E. Smith. Colonel
United States Army. They went up.
on the ground, heard the statements
OF claimant. examined into all the
facts, made most complete research
into all matters pertaining thereto, and
made their report. Upon this report
the Secretary of War. acted simply
approving that report.
Now without showing single parti-
Gle Of fraud, Of wrong In all this. or
that 1t was mol a proper and right thing
TO do, these naptious unfair Journals
seek to iniure tue character Of the Sec
Rotary of War. and TO do this they inn
peach the reputation of the Commits.
sion and set down for naught the opin-
ion Of one Of the Attorney Generals Of
the United States, who, having inves.
tigated The original sale Of the lands
reported TO the Secretary Of War as
follows: Having sold it your power
il exhausted. You can do nothing
more except to carry ont the agreement
Of purchase. The report Of the Com
mission settled the whole matter by |
The United States retaining 1,52l. 20 100 |
heres, and conveying the balance to the |
purchaser, this to balance the account !
md settle all claims. They evidently |
,alTied out the intent OF the rcsolu-
ion Of Congress, wherein II sH1u rnar
n such settlement at least one thous-
md acres should be retained by the
government.
The St. Paul and Minneapolis Press
are favorable to the settlement as Just |
and fair, but in matter of this kind |
where it takes 40 much time and space
% go over tho whole ground and SO
live the public athorough understand
ny Of it, the Tribune and other malic-
Gus journals. see ali opportunity to
nystify the public mind and create
ais'rust. and Tor this purpose alone
hey cry fraud and corruption in this
"a sa