The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-07

The report then reviews the testimony,
showing that
oRvILLE GRANT WAS SIMILARLY INTER
EsTED
in similar contracts, first with Medary,
another brother-in law of the president,
and afterwards on his own account. The
methods were exactly similar, and DR..
Reeds connnivance is clearly proven by
his own letters and the testimony of
witnesses. La conclusion, the committee
say. Your committee believe that John
$. Delano, Orville l.. Grant and II. II.
Houghtou rendered no service whatever to
the government for the money received by
them, but that they were dead heads
aud pensioners upon the fund appropriat
ed by congress for surveys of the public
lands in the territory of Wyoming for
the year 1874, and that Dr.Silas Reed, the
surveyor-general of that territory. violated
his official oath by awarding contracts for
surveying at the maximum price upon con-
dition that the deputies
WOULD DIVIDE THEIR PROFIT
with men who gave no equivalent for the
money they received" and again, after
reciting Reeds excuse, that solicitude for
the health of young John, who was the
only son OF the father, and sympathy for
Orville in his financial reyerses, he being
a family man, prompted his acts, the re-
port says; When it is remembered that
one Of these recipients of the government
bounty is near blood relative of the then
secretary OF the interior, aud the other of
the president and that the sympathlzing
doctor held his official position at the pleas
ure of these two high officials, it will be
seen that the motive which prompted him
| to relieve their necessities was as humane
and unselfsh as any that ever moved the
| philanthropic heart of the illustri0us Peck
sniff. Although the fact that this unfaith-
| lul official had been guilty of
CoRRUPTLY USING THE PUBLIC MONEY,
was known to the authorities by whose ia
vor he held his office in March, yet he was
permitted to retain his possession until the
month of August, when, as will be seen by
the following letter Of President Grant his
resignation was accepted:
Lone BRANCH, y. J., Aug, :. 1870
DEAR SIR: Your letter of resignation of the 3Ott
of July was duly received but has not been acted
/ upon until now | have this day forwarded il 10
the secretary OF the interior, with instructions to
Cep II, TO take effect the 10Th of September, OF
/ ~ soon thereafter rs your successor may qualify
| In accepting your resignation allow me To say that
know Of no reason 10 be dissatisfied with your adj
Inini-tratIon of the office of general
the contrary, believe ii has been filed efficiently
and adyautagcousy for the government during
| your entire administration.
| With sincere wishes for your welfare and assur
Gnces OF my personal friendship.
am, very truly,
Your Obedient servant
L. s. GRANT.
DR.. srLAs REED, Surveyor General. W. T.
IN CONCLUSION.
Finally, the committee, to prevent SINH
lar misrepresentation in tie future, rec
ommend that the law regulating survey,
/ Sdould be so amended as 20 impose pen
atty upon surveyors general who may
award contract TO any one not Skiltu
surveyor, and also penalty upon any per.
sons receiving a contract who may neglect
or refuse to supcriutcnd the work allotted
| - him in person.
Signed WM MUTCHLER, Of Pa.
A r. Boone, of Ky.
NM. b. ANDERSON, of HIS