New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-05
trade are taught that they cannot steal with
AN INVESTIGATION DEMANDED.

AN INVESIIGA1lON DbMhHDHD
Tn the confusion of the judicial and political
affairs of Utah. it has always been tolerably
clear that there is, at least, opportunity Tor
fraud and corruption. We have heard many
strange stories of Executive interference IN an
underbanded way in the concerns of that dull
cult and obstinate puzzle known as the MOT
"mon problem" 1t is quite probable that
much of this talk has been either based on
mere rumor or is the accumulation OF such IDLE
possip "a NAV be expected to gather in divided
and distrustful community, like that of Salt
Lake City. But Mr.. George c. Bates, formerly
limited States Attorney for the Territory of
Utah. has published series of charges which
merit attention Mr.. Bates has been in a
position to know something OF the interior
workings of the peculiar management of Utah
affairs that has been affected by this Admin
stration. Possibly, bis bitter differences with
Judge Mexican and what is known as "the
Newman party" in Utah may have intensi-
fed his hostility to the officials against whom
he makes these charges. Nevertheless, coming
as they do from one who has been custodian
of some of the most important interests in
Utah. the allegations are too serious to be
sighted as an attempt to " feed fat an ancient
"grudge." Sifted down, Mr.. Bates'S indict-
ment would read something like this:
1. Two most grave charges against two
United States officials in Utah were preferred
to the U. s. Attorney General in 1871; the
charges were of judging in mining cases in
which the judges were parties in interest; an
order of investigation was made out, but was
withdrawn at the Intervention of DR.. New
man, at Long Branch.
2. Large peculations in the mails and Postal
Service were discovered i'll Utah. $4,000 being
stolen at one time; but no prosecutions were
ever ordered or begun.
3. Considerable tracts of coal lands, never
in the market have been spirited away by
private individuals, and are held against the
United States, in defiance of law.
4. Timber lands have been stripped of their
growth, in violation of the laws of the United
States and no attempt has been made to en-
force the statute against the trespassers.
5. A corrupt combination was made by
which an Injunction was to be ordered and a
certain receiver appointed in a mining case.
@. By reason of illegitimate conduct on the
part of certain officials of the Indian Depart
ment in Utah, the Indians were compelled to
buy food at exorbitant prices; were starved
out of their reservation, and an Indian war
was made imminent
There are several other specifications in this
bill but those most definite and susceptible of
proof or refutation are herewith condensed and
presented. In his card, printed in one of the
Salt Lake City papers, ex-District-Attorney
Bates challenges investigation of his charges,
and demands a rigid inquiry. Furthermore,
be promises to furnish witnesses, dates, facts
and names necessary to the establishment OF
the case which he makes out; or, he will give
this information to the United States District
Attorney, whenever that official shall consent
to ask any Grand Jury to make inquisition.
Certainly, this man emphatically "means bust
"ness; ;" and it will not do to disregard his
challenge. If no other notice is taken Of these
charges, we shall expect that Congress will, at
its next assembling, order an investigation.