The sun., 1880-08-08
CHAs. kWINa,s GOOD FORTUNE
A Contract Approved by Carl Schurz, by
which Ewing Draws $50, 900.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5-There has been
Grent deal OF comment here for a few days past
among lawyers and claim agents about the
good fortune OF Mr.. Charles Ewing. 4 brother
in-law OF Secretary Sherman in IN enterprise
which he undertook three years ago. with the
consent and approval OF Carl SchurZ.
By the act for the admission OF the State OF
Kansas into the Union approved Jan. 90, 1856. .
the United States granted to said State the six
teenth ana thirty-sixh sections OF every town
ship OF public lands in the State. but especially
provided that the lands embraced within the
Indian reservations should not be aenated fol
any purpose. except with the consent of the In
dians OF such reservations and in accordance
with the conditions OF the trenty authorizing
such alienation. BY the treaty OF 1867 between
the United States and the Great and Little
Usage Indians a trust was created for the
disposal OF the lands OF the Indians in
Kansas. the bounds Of which lands are special
ly set forth in the treaty. By which the United
States bound itself to survey and sell any and
all OF sucn lands at a price not less than 81 .25
an acre. as other lands are surveyed and sold.
and TO place the proceeds OF such lands as they
accrued. after dedu"ing all expenses incident
to the proper execution OF the trust. in the
Treasury OF the United States 10 the credit of
the tribe. The Osuges have claimed for num-
her OF wears that moneys wsr. due them under
OF their claim. and three years ago he executed
n contract with the tribe to represent them
their relisf P thronsh Coneress gre S witS the Under
standing that he was to have IA per cent. OF all
the money Obtained. This contract was ap-
proved by Carl Schurz
The law requires tho Secretary OF the Interior
10 examine ali contracts between the Indians
and their agents and 10 exercise such discretion
for the protection OF the Indians NJ he deems
wise. Congress. ut its last session. passed an
act dr"cting Mr. Schurz 10 cause an account TO
hA al mar M (l.tlGYA
lands in Kansas that have in any way been
alrnnted by the United States. either by tho act
sals Of these lands By the treaty betwaen tho
United Stntes and tlla Usage Indians. pro-
elnimed Jan a. 1857. apa OF tho money
Of the sale Of such lands. and to certify
the difference between the sum SO received
and the sum that would he due sa ID trust at the
date Of tho account provided for had all oi the
lands so alenated been disposed Of rs provided
for by the treaty. Congress- then appropriated
Il sum equal TO the amount to bs certified by Mr.
Schurz, aud directed that tho money bo placed
TO ,no credit Of the Secretary Of the Interior as
cost Of survey and sale OF lands. and other
expenses contracted by the United States or
trust" Mr.; Schurz was directed 10 place the
balance Of the funds TO the credit OF the Indians
to 3c invested aud distributed in accordance
The Treasury officials have declined to give
any information or data concerning the case
on the ground that ii is matter which concerns
the Interior Department. Acting Commission
er OF Indian Affairs Brooks saws that he cannot
give any information. because the papers IN the
case are q the Treasury Department. Last
night MIR. Brooks promised to show your corrt--
spondent copy, of SIR. Ewng's contract with
the Osages, but this morning ho said that tho
contract belonged To Mr.. Ewing. and wns in his
nossesslon; 1t Is Enown that Mr.. Schufz certl-
He'd TO ths Treasury Department that $S4O .3G5,76
were duo the Ossages. lnclud M the allowances
OF Mr.. SchurZ on account OF expenses. The
amount of Mr. Ewng's claim ut seven and
half per cent. upon this certihcation would have
IL
that Mr.. ,scnHrz cut the amount down to
$4,000. In tho natural routine OF official
business. Mr.. Srhur2s certiflcation went to the
Sscond Auditor OF the Treasury He promptly
disallowed Mr. Ewing's claim. on the ground.
II is said. that the contract was not proper one,
and that. II II was. he had not fully COMPLIED
with its terms to entitle i'm to the money.
From the Second Auditor the papers went TO
the Second COMPTROLLER, William W. Upton. who
reversed the Auditors decision. on the ground.
1t is averr'd, that the Auditor was not smpower-
cd 70 revsw the ucertilcatlon of the Secretary
OF the Interior. The act OF Congress compel
INK Mr.. Schurz to certify the account was man
datory, Mr. wing promptly drew his money
IRON the Treasury. Mr.. Srhurz IL looking out
for the int"res,s of the Indians and making
ter could be obtuinsd from his subordinates.