The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-09-27
ty and the interests of the dear people.

ty and the interests of the dear people.
Here Is the interesting document:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
October 9Th, 1874
l, 5. 5. Burdett, commissioner of the
general land Office, do hereby certify that
the annexed is true and literal exem-
plifcation of the records of this Office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name, and caused the
seal of this Office to be affixed, at the
city of Washington, on the day and
year above written.
S. s. BURDETT,
Com. of. Gen. Land office.
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 20, ~.
THE HoNARABLE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR SIR Il have the honor to
submit herewith the report Of Hon. w.
Fl. Smith, who went to Independence.
Kansas, to investigate certain charges of
corruption made against the Register and
Receiver of the land Office at that place,
by Geo. X. Wingree. also enclose the
letter of Mr.. Wingree, containing the
charges referred to, which are to the eff
feet that the said Register and Receiver,
| while the Office was located at Neodesha,
agreed with the Mayor and certain mem
bers of the town council of Independ-
ence, for specified considerations. among
which was the payment to them of the
sum of So, 400, ''for clerk hire" to bring
about the removal of the land Office to
| that place.
enclose also copy of letter writ
ten to this Office by the Register and Re-
ceiver in accordance with this agree
ment, in which they urge the removal
of the Office from Neodesha TO Independ-
ence, and recite all the inducements held
out by the town council of Independence
excepting the payment to them of tile sum
| Of money mentioned.
With Mr.. Smiths report send the
enclosures received with it, viz: a copy
of the original agreement for the pay
ment of the money, copy of the bond
given to the city, a copy of the account
presented to the council, and its action
thereon, and a copy Of a receipt giUen BIZ
the Register and Receicer, acknowledging
the payment Of $1,000 Of the money re-
ferred to.
After having given the case due con-
sideration, l fully concur with Mr. Smith
IN the opinion that the plea that the
money paid was required for the pur-
pose OF defraying the expense of clerk
hire in the land Office soGs only q pre-
tense, and that it was in fact a fee charged
and received by the Register and Re
ceiver in consideration of their services
IN bringing about the removal of the of
fee, as before stated.
| Registers and Receivers, unless in ex-
ceptional instances, when authorized by
the department, are required to pay their
own clerk hire. They are allowed, how
ever, by law, certain fees which they are
not required to report to this Office, and
which are supposed to be sufficient in
the aggregate to pay the salaries of nee
essary clerks. In the present case, in
addition to the fees so charged and re-
ceived, l find that the Hon. Secretary of
the Interior, on the 26th of January last,
authorized the Register to employ clerk
for period Of si1 months, at three dol
lars day; the amount to be charged to
the Indian fund as an expense incurred
in the disposal of the Usage lands.
In view of the facts as presented, 1 am
clearly Of the opinion that the charges
of corruption, as preferred as above
against P. B. MAXSON, Register, and
NJ w. Reynolds, Receiver, at Independ.
ence, Kansas, have been proven, and !
respectfully recommend their remOual
from office.
Very respectfully, your obedient ser.
want, Willis DRU1fNoND,
| Commissioner