The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-12-01

ate favorably for Booth, and disastrously
to the schemes of the railroad interest as
laid by Billy Carr, their chief political
agent.
SAN Francisco, Nov. 29-It is believed |
amongst politicians that ex-Gov. Haight, |
Anti Railroad Democrat, will be elected |
for the unexpired term of Senator Casser-
ly, and that Booths prospects are assured |
by Mr.. Casserly' 5 resignation.
ST, PAUL, Nov. 29.-By recent appoint
ment of the Secretary of the Interior. the |
Hon Nelson j. Turney, of Ohio, the Hon. |
w. r. Jennings, of Pennsylvania, and |
james Smith, Jr., of this city, were COM |
missioned to investigate and report upon
the charges which have been made, through |
the press Of the country, against the Hon |
and Rev. Z. Z. Smith, Commissioner of
Indian affairs, with regard to a certain
contract for sale of pine lumber to A. II,
Wilder, of St. Paul, and other matters eff. |
fecting the integrity of Mr. Smith. whilst
acting as Agent for the Chippewas of Min
nesota While the appointment of the
Commission is a notable concession to the
independent press through which the al
legged misdoings of Smith have been made
known-the same charges having been for
mally filed long ago, and formally ignored
at the Department Of the Interior there
are indications in the membership of the
| Commission that it was formed rather to
prevent than 20 make real investigation.
| The resident member, Mr.. Smith, is per-
sonal friend of Secretary Delano, and the
| business advisor and agent of his SON.
There is scarcely one of the many charges
against Commissioner Smith which does
not directly or indirectly reach Secretary
Delano. The other members have already
been connected with investigations and ar
| bitrations in the interest of the Secretary,
and one OF them was member ofthe com
mission which last year succeeded In max
/ ing an amicable division between the Mon
tana Indian Ring and the Washington In
dian Ring
To summarize the charges against the
| Commissioner, they are, that in pine and
other contracts he has fraudulently sacri-
feed the property of the Indians and that
he has grossly neglected his duties and
abused his powers, so that the wise and
humane plans for civilizing the Chippewas
of the Mississippi have been retarded
rather than advanced by his action as their
Agent, and his influence as Commissioner
| OTTAWA, ILL.,, Nov 2S.-The arguments
lin the 0ughton murder case were con-
cluded, to-day, Mr.. Bushnell occupying a
part of the forenoon on the part of the de-
tense Hon W. w. O'Brien, of Peoria,
for the people, began his address to the
Jury at half past IL o'clock this morning,
and occupied the remainder of the day till
after O'Clock in the evening, when the
, jury retired The court room was packed
TO suffocation all day, and hundreds went
away who could not get even standing
room. The argument of Mr. 0Brien il
the theme on all sides, and was doubtless
one Of the most able ever delivered in this
state. The vast audience in attendance
could hardly be restrained at times from
giving vent to their feelings in repeated
! peals of applause Mr. 0'Brien has cause
to feel proud. At the close Of his address
) many Of the bar and other prominent citi
zens present congratulated him in the war
NEST terms, and even the ladies in the
court room refused to leave without mani
Testing their sympathy and approval
La SALE, H.. Nov, 29.-The verdict
of acquittal rendered at Ottawa last even
ing in the case of George Oughton, charged
with the murder of Peter Murphy, was re
ceived very general disapprovalin this city
A fund OF $500, most Of the contributor
of which were Murphy's fellow work.
men, was raised to pay, W. W O'Brien
of Peoria, for assisting in the prosecution
and, as the fatal shooting had not been de
, MED by the accused, it was generally be
haved that long term OF imprisonment
would be the least punishment that coulC
be awarded. The miners are much excit
ed on the subject