Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-02-27
ANOTHER LETTER FROM ELIJAH
SELLS,
Tle Replies to Finkbinc.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS.
February Ii. 1873.

! for copy OF the Iowa State RegtsteT,
Of the 7th inst.
When l read Finkbinc's note, and
| the editorial comments, my first i'm
pulse was to give itno notice whatever,
but upon reflection have thought it
due to myself that an additional state.
4 mcnt should DC made.
The ungenerous and unjust editorial
OF the LEICESTER shows the animus of
the writer, and think its fallacy and
| weakness will be seen by all fair mind
cd persons. The Rcgistc, SAYS: "thc
public will now wait with anxiety to
see what MIR. Sells will say in reply TO
| the history of his connection with
| Finkbinc-as Finkbinc writes it,"
My reply is this: The latter Fink
binc story is like tho first, malicious
falschood. never told Finkbine any,
thing that could be tortured into any
such statement as he has invented
If l had made such answers as lie as
cribcs TO me, in response to his manu-
featured questions, it would have been
untrue. | had no authority to make
any promises, nor did say or intimate
TO any member that he should receive
q consideration for his vote, either in
position or otherwise, as every truthful
memlHr Of the Legislature will bear
me witness. (That Of course excludes
Mr.. Finkbinc). have not the remot.
est idea to whom he refers as the menu
bcrs TO whom promises were made,
unless he refers to the Hon. C. Ben
Darwin, and, il go, 1t is wholly untrue.
| | can get Mr.. Darwin's statement, as
he is In San Francisco, filling the Office
Of City Prosecuting Attorney, and can
easily be reached. Can anv man Of Or
binary judgment believe that would
be such a consumate fool as to answer
the questions, he says he propounded,
i'll the manner stated by him2 1t is
suprcmely absurd, and Finkbine's lucid
note bears upon its face it's own refu-
tation. 1t is false from first to last and
am perfectly willing 10 leave the
question Of veracity to the public.
To many Iowa friends, tender my
most grateful thanks for their kind
letters of confidence, at this particular
time, when detraction is rampant. /
assure you l appreciate the honor and
manly fairness that can be Just under
all circumstances.
! came to Iowa Territory in 1871.
and IN 1874 was elected member Of
the first Constitutional Convention,
aud from that time until 1868, l was,
most OF the time, identified with your
States history in some position oftrust,
and have yet to learn of complaint
from any source.
entered the naval service in 1868,
and in 1864 was invited to Washing.
ton by telegram from the Hon. S. P.
Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, to
take charge of one Of the bureaus in
his Department. In 1866 was trans
fcrred to the Interior Department-not
as Indian agent-but as Superinten-
dent Of Indian Affairs and Commis.
sioner to negotiate treaties witt, the
| rebel Indians.
In the latter part of August, i'm 1866.
] was informed that the President, Mr.,
johnson. expected me to support his
policy, whereupon l rendered my re-
signation. Ny accounts were settled
| and fully closed in 1867, and not an ex-
ception taken. Not even a shadow of
| suspicion or of want OF fidelity was ever
intimated by those who had the best
opportunity of knowing.
When 1t is charged that Indian
money. or any other public funds have
been improperly applied, il is made
| without 4 shadow CT testimony to sus-
tain il, and is wholly false. Those
making the charges accuse three of the
best organized financial bureaus of the
Government with collision with NV
self in a high crime
Ny accounts, as do an sihliiar ac-
counts, passed thorough and scrutin-
izing examination by the Second Au-
| ditor's Office, Mt the head of which was
Mr. French,of Maine, and by the Second
ComptrOllcr's Office, at the head OF
! which stands DR.. Broadhead, who for
years has been recognized as the safe
guard of the Treasury.
Not one penny Of public money was
ever misapplicd or improperly used
for any purpose. sought most faith
fully, in every instance, and in every
position, to discharge my duty with
fidelity, and the public records will
show how well succeeded.
With this statement am willing to
trust generous public for just YER
dict.
| was warm and active supporter
of Gov. Grimes, in 1858, and in 1865 |
came to Iowa. at his request, to look
after his reelection, and for that SER
vice no complaints have been made by
the press. In 1857, was supporter
Of James Harlan, and on the day of his
arrival at Iowa City, after he was GUST
cd by the Senate, he was reelected by
the unanimous vote of the Republican
members without even the form Of
caucus. In 1860, l was in favor OF Mr..
Harlan's reelection, and in 1866, had
no reason for changing my mind in re-
ference to his fitness. took an active
part in the contest, exercising right
which belongs to every citizen; and in
that contest worked al honorably and
fairly "a had worked for Gov. Grimes
at former elections. did nothing inn
proper, and nothing but what / am
willing, at any time, to lay before the
public under oath.
belong to no camp or clique" or
political or other ring" and necer did.
1 am not MIR. Harlan's apologist or adj
vOcate, nor am authorized to speak
for him. ] am not writing in his in
terest nor with his knowledge. am
making fair and truthful statement
in respose to the first call saw, in the
Register of the 2Sth ult., asking me for
an explanation.
With the controversy about the $I0,-
0O0-which DIR. Durant states he paid
Mr.. Harlan-I know nothing farther
than have stated.
In your Senatorial election, in 1870,
! was strongly urged to come to Iowa
and take part in the canvass, by the
Hon. Senator who was elected. In
1872, was again invited by numerous
persons. to come to your State and
participate in the canvass, and in that
case, as in the former, declined. In
1868, decided to make Kansas my
home, and havingso decided, did not
care to NEEDLE in contest between
former friends, Up to the very time
when the onslaught was made upon
me, in 1872, by the Register, had sup
posed Mr.. Allison my personal friend.
/ wrote to linn for an explanation, why
he permitted the publication of an ar
ticlc in his interest, rejecting upon my
official character, when he ought to
have known the charges were untrue.
Mr.. Allison replied in a friendly letter,
en- l,n -, ~