New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-30
they needed in order TO aspire to the rghts Oh
beligereuts
THE coLoR fDo TERRITORY SCANDAL.

GRAVITY OF TIE CHARGES AGAINST Ex-Gov, McooK
THE FACTS IN Tug CASH REPORTED TO THE
sENATE-pERsoNAL DIFFERENCES AT THE BOT
TOM or THE MATTER.
irpoN TIP REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNH'l
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The Senate Committee
on Territories, which has spent several months III
the examination of charges against ex-Goy. McCook,
whom the President had renominated to be Gov
eInor of Colorado has reported the name 10 inc
Senate in Executive session with the testimony that
has been taken The first charges were signed by
several citizens of Colorado. including Delegate
Cbaffee member of the Territorial Legislature an
ex-Indian Agent and several others. They accused
Gov McCook of fraudulent practices while Gov
ernor of Colorado in connection with certain con-
tracts to supply cattle to the Ute Indians, by which
the Government is alleged to have lost S3JOOO; OF
approving divorce bill more than eight months
after the Legislature had adjourned that he had
received money for his influence to have an Off
cia retained in office, and that he had been inter-
ested in the profits of discountng vouchers for an
Indian contractor the payment Oh WHICH ucpenuou
upon his own approval.
I'm regard to the cattle contracts the only question
was in regard to the character of the animals fur
nished by the contractor. The agreement was to
deliver American cattle, and McCOOks accuserS
assert that he and his brotherinlaw, who inspected
them, allowed "Texas" cattle to be furnished, the
latter being worth only about one-haii as much Dis
the former The testimony taken by the committee
was conflicting, but the conclusion that seVerai
members of the Committee arrived at was that the
cattle were of mixed blood and that, although they
were not what would be known as native" cattle
in the Eastern States. they were not Iexas" cows.
They WERE in fact, what were known as "Amen-
can cattle in Colorado at the time the contract was
made.
The Committee conclude that as the official jour
mails Of the Legislature represent the divorce Dill re-
ferred to in the second charge as having been signed
before the adjournment of the Legislature, the
charge that he signed it eight months after is not
proved.
1t appears that gentleman who held United
States Office in Colorado, and who was threatened
with removal requested Gov. McCook to come to
Washington and use his influence for his retention,
and paid to the Governor probably to cover the cx-
penses of the journey and his stay in this city,
81 OOO 1t is understood that corrupt motive has
been proved on the part either OF AcCook OF the
man in whose interest he acted.
In regard to the charge that Gov. McCook shared
in the profits of shaving" the vouchers Of Indian
contractors the payment of which depended upon
his approval the facts seem to be these: An Indian
Agent in McCools superntendency had. without
authority made a verbal contract for goods amount
ing to $1,000 When the bill was presented to
GOV. McCook he refused to approve it with
ont investigation, on account of the irregu-
larity. But the contractor was greatly
in need of money and offered to sell it torso cents on
a dollar Mr.. Thompson, McCook's brOther-in-law
and private secretary, went to the bank with the
contractor and by promising to secure the approval
of the voucher negotiated its sale and furnished
part of the money TO buy it, The bill was atterward
approved and the money paid to Thompson, but was
not allowed at the department for two years The
banker who is partner of Delegate Chaffee, swears
that Thompson told him that the profits on the
voucher were to be divided between Gov. McCook,
the banker, and himself Both Thompson and Ne
Cook swear that the latter never had any interest
in it, and did not know that Thompson had until long
afterward and that then, on Thompsons account. he
paid to the banker $500 his share of the profits
out of his own pocket and reprimanded Thompson
for his part in the affair.
The whole contest has grown out of the personal
relations between McCOOk and Delegate Chaiiee.
whose particular friend Ebert now Governor OF the
Territory will be removed If McC0Ok Is confirmed.
The President is ON McCOok's side and will not
withdraw his name