The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-24

the Interior Department. and whose agents boast
One Of the first acts Of the DeIano- Drummond
regne favorable to this interest was the reopen
! ing OF the claim made by the
which claim had been settled adversely by Secre-
reversed that OF his predecessor, Mr.. Harlan, was
cencurrsd in by secretary Cox. Nevertheless, Mr.
company named million Of acres not granted by
Congress-. narrative OF some OF the antics OF
Mr.. Drummond IN connection with this case may
serve to usti ate how strongly the railroad COM
panies are entrenched in the General Land once.
This will involve an account OF the vcissitudes OF
public: He has stumbled upon the tran Of
JOB papa apd as DossSe IN
order to prevent the consummation Of the
m IN
1871, and it fell IKE thunderbolt among the rail-
readers in and about the Land once. Their game
prepared to confirm to the company title OF the
land involved In Delano's decision, yet It would
had passed away. Then there was hurrying to and
fro and diligent search in spying out the recreant
clerk who had given out the information. Htherc
was
TRAITOR IN TIE CAMP
his head must come. OF, and that quickly; for
otherwise there could be no safety in pursuing
their unlawful schemes. day alter the appear
ance OF the obnoxious article the following order
was posted on the doors OF the General Land
BEWARE OF THE DOG.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. /, 1871.
It s ordered that attorneys and other agents be
prohibited from examining papers and files In the
clerks In regard to claims cases in their hands
for examination or other official action without
Assistant Secretary OF the Interior or the head Of
the proper bureau and that II any attorney 1n or
official communication with him shall be sus-
pended.
ing Information to any In relation to the busl
ness OF the Department. or any OF its bureaus or OF
the condition Or Of any claim or case
Assistant Secretary or the head OF the proper bu-
reau, and any violation of this order Will subject
COLUMBUS DELANO, Secretary.
One trick Of this circular Is
| It was posted on the day rolloYing the publica-
| tiOn-namely, December 19-but GATE back to The
1st OF the month, SO that 1t would not appear to
| The order has been rigidly enforced against all
| but railroad attorneys. Aboat the time It arst
| permission to see the papers in the Burlington
case, which was freely given, for he was not sus-
During the past Summer, in order to refresh his
memory and for the purpose OF examining a paper
which he had not seen on the first occasion, he
called upon the Commissioner and the following
WV w. CONVERSATION WITH DRuMMoND.
CORRESPONDENT-Dr DrummOnd, understand
that before Secretary Delan0 rendered his de-
cison sustaining the claim OF the Burlington and
of the limits of their grant in Nebraska he wrote
letter to Judge Hoar, requesting that gentleman's
opinion as to the proper construction OF the grant
made to that company In the act Of July 2, 1864,
and that Judge Hoar In response, gave his opinion,
which is on file with the papers in the case. If you
please, would like to see the document.
COMMISSIONER with greatly perplexed air.
For what purpose do you wish to see 1t 2
CORRESPONDENT wish to satisfy myself upon
some points in question relating to the Secretarys
decision.
missioner knew his refusal to shew the document
would be placing weapon in the hands OF his
antagonist which might be used with considerable
effect and that the other hand lie would be little
better OF after allowing the paper to be scru-
COMMISSIONERS (hesltatingly)-I don't think the
papers are in this office; think they are in the
CoRREspoSDENr-I was under the impression
that after the case was settled by Mr.. DeanO's de-
cisiOn the papers were sent to your office, which
understand to be the proper place to file them.
COMMISSIONER will see where they are.
EvAsIoNs AVOID DANGERS.
messenger was sent Tor the head clerk OF the
cso raa re
Commissioner suggested that the correspondents
call at another t,me.i Agreeably with the sugges'
apparently to the annoyance of the Commissioner,
who nevertheless, summoned CLERK, and, after
whispered conference, said, 1.-THE papers are in
the Secretary's of1ce, and have no doubt he will
let you see them"
vending his way TO that part OF the building IN
which the Secretary's Office is located the cOrre-
sp0ndent entered the room Of Mr.. Sturgts who has
charge OF the railroad branch OF tile secretary's
Office.
CORRESPONDENCE sturgis, Commissioner
Drummond tells me that you have the papers in
the Burlington case, and that you will let me see
them.
Mr.. SrURGIs-Are you an attorney In the case,
sirY
CORREsPoNDENT-No, sir; write for the press.
Mr.. STURGIs-Ah What Is the namc2 see l
shall have to speak with the secretary.
A 0lsaDOeare0.
After short absence lie returned and Indicated
that permission had been given by turning to the
files and affecting to search for the papers. His
search was soon brought to an abrupt close In
manner which might indicate anything but dis
was ignorant OF their whereabouts but that his
assistant, who was tLen absent could no doubt ,t
again, will try and have them for YOU"
SEA OF TROUBLES.
Not to be banled by WEAKNESS OF these delays,
the following morning, when he was told by Mr..
Sturgis that the papers were in the Commission
ers possession. Returning to the room Of the lat
ter, the following ensued:-
CoRREsPoNDENT-Fer two days, Mr.. Commits.
sicner have been vainly striving to get sight OF
you said that the clerk who had charge OF 1t was
absent called again yesterday and was told by you
that the Secretary had the papers. am here now,
for the third time, with information that you have
them.
Secretary and are not part Of the records Of my
office. do net feel authorized TO show them with
out the Secretary'S permission. -
CORREsPONDENT-Permit me to remi nd you, Mr..
Drummond, that when, some months ago, asked
permission TO examine the papers, so far from
raising the objection of the want Of authority, you
promptly and freely accorded me the privilege.
This decision gives away
PUBLIC LANDS VALUED AT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.
Certainly you Will not deny the right OF the people
to knew upon what grounds their property has
been disposed OFF
COMMISSIONERS (excttedly)-I have nothing to do
with it. l did not make the decision. still say
do not feel at liberty to show you the papers with
out the consent OF the Secretary.
CoRREsPoNDENr-very well; | will try to obtain
| his consent.
Retracing his steps to the room OF Mr.. Sturgis-
GREAT wAGGING OF HEADS.
! CORRESPONDENCE. Sturgis, the Commissioner
says that the papers are not technically Q part
OF the records Of his office, and that he has no
authority to show them to me without an order
! from the Secretary.