New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-10

AZ
,ertain vacancies were TO occur. Orvil secured
Ie President the sutlcrshps at Fort Peck for MIR
.a,hsrrv At Standing Rock for Joseph Layton, at
-, polt,an for a man named Conrad, ana ~
w. Fortb for George w. Felt. He was to receive
re a. rro6ts for his services and did receive that
- % the spols from some of these posts Before
- No,.ol Affairs Committee, he admitted something
s.and obtaining a naval contract for Baltimore
s,.,, beine paid a share of the profits and SZoo
oontb for his services in getting the contract
oRvIL GRANT ADMITS TAXING THE 81 lLhho'
M rrsrFIEs TO IHK FACTS BEFORE Mr. CLhAlN
coNNuTTFF-THE PRESIDENT TELLS OkNiL IN
,nv,Ncr THAT CERTAIN TRADERS WILL BE
nv,,o,,rn-rHg LATER SECURES THREE P-
po,N7uRNrs FOR PARI OF IIE PROFITS
LEI TELEGRAPH TO nE TRIsuNEl
ur.syrvc1ov March 9.-The appearance of Orvil
oron, ne a witness before the House Committee on
rraondit,res in the War Department to-day was an
nnortant event in the history of the investigation
oou making by Mr. Clymers Committee. MIR.
Grant although evidently testifying with reluc-
,anoe ON many points did not fail to impress those
rnse,t with the truth of all he did say so that II
h Committee failed 10 discover hls connection with
itorv M Indian traderships from which be has de-
;vad or does derive an income, II was because they
f;led IN question him and not on account OF his re-
tnsal 70 testify In substance he said that some
time in 1874 ne applied to the Presi-
dent to assist him in obtaining licenses
N trade at Indian posts. In response to this request
the President afterward by letter informed him that
certain traders would be removed, among them
,bose of Forts Peck and Belknap Standing Rock, and
CHEYENNE. MI Grant said he had nothing to do
vi the removal of the traders at those points, but
their removal was due 10 religious quarrel, about
which he knew very little, and that the President,
after the change was determined upon, informed
him in letter that they were not then vacant, Dut
they would soon become so. He replied IN ms own
name OF in the name OF other persons for
licenses to trade at these points, and succeeded III
attaining them for Standing Rock, Forts Peck and
Belknap In the business at Standing Rock he asso-
eiated himself with Mr.. CasselbeTry of Philadelphia
the name of the latter only being used. Neither of
the partners put in any money of their own but Dor
rov.d $4,000 Of Mr.. BOnnaffOn, also of Phila-
delpbia and the partner of Mr.. CasselbeTy. IN
Jspuarv of the present year, Mr. Grant and MIR. Cas-
selberry each put in 50 900 and took BOnnaion into
partnership Orvi Grant still retains one-thrd ln-
terest in the business at this place.
Mr. Grant said he also obtained license tostrade
at Fort Peck, and made all arrangement with MI
LAYTON. who agreed to pay Orvil Grant 90 per cent
of his profits Mr.. Grant furnishing no capital and
giving no personal attention to the business Mr..
Layton furnished capital of $4,000. Under tins
arrangement he drew $4,000 or $4,000 but after
wards. being informed that the firm was losing
money, he suspended his drafts and has recently
received no money. The license at Fort Beiknap
was also obtained by him, and an arrangement
similar to that already described was made win
LAYTON. The latter took some goods TO this pace
and began the erection of a store. but the Indian
agent at that point was opposed to him and pre-
vented him from going into business there
Mr. Grant also testified that he succeeded in OBJ
tanning an Indian leadership at Fort Berthod
wv. RAYMOND of Bismarck also obtained license
10 trade at the same place. A compromise was
made by which Mr.. Raymond was allowed to go on
with the business, and Mr. Grant withdrew, reoeiv-
ing from him ST. 600 Mr.. Grant said that lie left
it with Mr. Raymond to pay such sum as he might
choose aud drew on him for the amount named
The only other licenses with which he admitted
having anything to do were two in number One Is
held by George w. Felt at White Earth. Mr.. Grant
was promised half interest in the trading at this
place but says he has concluded not to accept 1t,
since he cannot afford to take the chances OF loss
The other instance was on attempt to obtain
license for a Mr.. Conway, but be does not know
whether he succeeded in getting it or not. He adj
mtted having said the reporters at Philadelphia
that he had obtained licenses to trade both for him
self and others through his influence with the Pres-
dent He thought he did have some influence with
Gen Grant, but was sorry that it brought him very
little profit. When he applied for these licenses he
filed no papers with the Commissioner of Indian At
fairs and did not think that either the Secretary of
tue Interior OF the President Of the United States
was aware that he received any money from them.
Public opinion in Washington Is greatly divided
as 10 the effect of this testimony on the President
II shows that the licenses TO trade at Indian posts
not issued to Bennafion, but given as perqui-
ntes 10 the brother of the President who charged
the actual trader 80 per cent of his profits for the
privilege of trading at ALL In other words, the
President Of the United States uses his official
knowledge and position to enable his brother to levy
tax Of 80 per cent of their profits on persons
allowed to sell goods TO Indians Under an honest
aud high-tOned evil service the President would
consider It his frst duty, if he gave his
to see that traders at Indian posts responsible
men, and that their trade is regulated for the best
interests of the Indians. Instead of that, he au-
thoriSes bis own brother by giving him information
IN advance. to squeeze out of these traders half Of
Their profits. for legitimate service rendered, thus
forcing them to charge higher prices for the goods
they have To sell. If Mr.. Belknap's income in
creased by the swinding of soldiers and emigrants,
The President assisted his brother TO make money by
taxing trade with the Indians.