New-York tribune., 1875-08-06
WASHINGTON.
JOHN DELANO DETECTED IN BLACK
MAILING

JOHN DELANO DETECTED IN BLACK
one OF THR PRESIDENTS MOTIVES IN ASKING sEC-
RETARY DELANO TO RHsIGX-IHE srCRETARYs
son BIACKMAILING MFN DOING BUSINESS AT
THE LAND OFPICE-AS INSTANCE or T.
(PROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRiBrSEt
WAsHINGTON, Aug 5.-It may be remembered
that the Presidents first request that Secretary
Delano resign was not based on the fraudulent
transactions of the indian Ring, although those
had long been known, and some Of them
had been repeatedly exposed in THE 1kiB-
UNE and other journals. In ApTI last the
President obtained positive proof that tn"
Seerctary's had been in the habit oi biack-
mailing persons who had business with the LaDd
Office; and that when Mr.. Delano was informed OF
the facts he took efficient measures to stop the
dishonest practices His neglect aroused grave sus-
picons-in fact among some, that the secretary HIM
self possibly shared in the spoil-. At any rate he
seemed willing that John Delano should make all
the money he could, and lie conveniently closed his
eyes TO ANYTHING irregular IN the method
One instance in which Secretary DeIanos atten-
ton was called 10 John Dcanos backHalliDg ope-
ratons occurred more than year ago The gentle
man on whose authority the story II tod u pIomi-
ncnt clergyman of Chicago, who wac college class
mate of Secretary Fish. He sent statement OF the
facts to Secretary Fish through mutual friend.
with a rtquest that the former would lay il before
the President Whether Secretary Fish received tho
message or not and if go whether he told the Presl-
dent, is not known; but there Is reason to believe
that he did receive the statement and that the Pres
dent has long known all about tie matters therein
contained. The story is AZ follows:
Mr. Davis, Land Agent Of the Union Pacific Rail
road at Omaha, sold lot Of land and sent on 10 the
Department for the warrants. Secretary Delan0
wrote to him that the warrants would be forwarded.
After waiting six weeks, and not receiving them,
Mr. Davis wrote to an attorney in Washington, re-
qucsting him To make inquiries concerning them at
the Department. Secretary DelanO prOmised the at
torney to send the warrants at once. Six weeks
elapsed, however, and the papers did not come, and
Mr. Davis came tO Washington i'll person. lie saw
Mr. Delano, and was referred by hlm to the
Secretary's John, who, the Secretary SAID,
would attend to the matter. Mir. DAVIS then saw
john John said it all right, but that he
wanted two sections OF the land himself. Mr.. Davis
was very indignant and wanted Ia know what no
meant John replied that he must have two sections
of the land for making out the warrants and getting
them signed. All warrants had to be signed by tho
Secretary. Mr. Davis then returned To Secretary
Deano and related to lin all the circumstances. II
is reported that in his indignation he told Mr..
Dcano in forcible language lis opinion of the man
ner in which business at the Department was trans
acted.
After this John Delano remained about the De-
partment and a. Ear can be learned, enjoyed the
confidence of his father as much as ever. ms
transa ton in which Mr.. Davis Interested was
by no means the only one Of the kind that is knowA
to have occurred Others OF very similar natrre,
Involving mining lands in California and pine lands
in the North-Wet are reported, though not 80 err
cnmstantiay as this 1t the know ledge that
such things as these transpirng ~ the Interior
Department that first led the President to ask Secre-
try D,lano for bis resignation. The exposure Of the
frauds OF the Indian Ring has only made 1t the
more desirable.