The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-03-10

THROUGH THE INDIAN TERRITORY
THE BEN HILL SCANDAL-PACIFIC
RAILROAD DLANDs-STANLEY MATHEWS
NOMINATION.
THE DAKOTA NOMINATIONS.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-The renomi-
nation Of Henry Espersen, to be sur
veyor general of lands in Dakota, sent
to the senate last week, has been re-
ported upon f;avorably by the commit
tee on public lands, and it is believed
will be confirm ed without opposition.
The nomination of Pease to be receiver
at Watertown, it is said by certain par
ties who want Major D. l.. F. Poore,
who has held the place eight years, and
who want him reappointed, will be
hung up in the committee and not re-
ported at all, with the exception that if
Poore is not reappointed now man
will be. There is no objection to Con-
gresham Barber, and his confirmation
will probably 60 through this week.
sCHURZ DISSATISFIED.
| Secretary Schurz is reported to be
very much dissatisfied with the general
management Of the land offices in Da-
kota, and said recently to reliable in
formant of your correspondent, that if
he had his way he would sweep The
present incumbents all out. When
questioned further in regard to so rad
ical an utterance, he said perhaps the
officers were not so much to blame,
except that a bad practice had grown
up of cOnnivance at violations of the
law, and the business was carried on in
a very loose manner. 1t is we'll known
that he instituted some examinations
last fall, the results of which he has
scrupulously kept to himself, but from
hints dropped here and there, disclosed
state Of affairs that were he to re-
main longer at the head of the interior
department., would be followed up
with q rigid examination. 1t is not
improbable that something may leak
out yet. This throws some light on his
disinclination to urge the appointment
of some land officers in that territory.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
About year ago United States Trea-
surer Gilfillan filed with the house dis
trict committee series IF charges
against the board of commissioners of
the District of Columbia. A sub-com-
mittee was appointed to investigate the
charges, and to-day they made their
final report to the full committee. Mr..
Gilfillan is completely sustained. The
commissioners are administrative Of
ficers, but the people of the District
being appointed by the president and
confirmed by the senate. They have
lerge discretionary powers, and, ac-
cording to report, have abused them
most shamefully. The charges, as well
as the findings and recommendations
of the committee, are summed up in
the closing paragraphs of the report.
The report IS quite voluminous. The
testimony taken covers three hundred
and thirty-six pages, and relates not
only to the treasurer's complaints, but
to the general management of
REVISION OF ASSESSMENTS,
authorized by acts Of congress. The
committee say "While the evidence
taken was not sufficiently conclusive to
justify the committee in reporting that
any corrupt or fraudulent acts had
been committed by any person now
connected with the government of the
District, it was deemed sufficient TO de-
mand an investigation by the proper
legal authorities. Evidence on these
points was accordingly referred by the
committee to the United States attor-
ney for the District, for such action as
he might think proper, and has since
been made the subject Of a report by
the grand jury; but as to the general
looseness of management of revision
of assessments the testimony was con-
elusive.
INDIAN TERRITORY.
The house has passed under a suspen-
sion of the rules, the bill providing for
the incorporation of the Cherokee and
Arkansas River railway company. The
bill contemplates the construction of a
railroad from Arkansas City. in the
state of Kansas along the general
course of the Arkansas river, through
Indian territory to Fort Smith, in the
state of Arkansas. The franchise or
corporate powers asked for are such as
are usual in similar cases, not including
any subsidies, land grant, or govern
ment aid whatever, and, in the opinion
Of the committee, are such as ought to
be granted in all cases where it can
be lawfully done by congress of the
United States. This line of railway
connects the southern and central por
ton of Kansas, over the Little Rock
and Fort Smith and Memphis and Lit
tie Rock roads, with the Mississippi
river at Memphis, thereby reaching the
most
PROFITABLE AND NATURAL MARKET
for grain products of that portion of
Kansas and, Memphis being the chief
distributing point for the surrounding
states, great benefit would be conferred
by such q connection. The line would
pass through the lands of four tribes of
!; friendly Indians in the territory, all of
r whom have, by special treaties, con-
; ceded the right to congress to grant
right Of way through and over their
} lands. The railroad to be constructed
r would pass from east to west of the
Cherokee and Creek nations. This bill
, is drawn in accordance with the pro-
visions of several treaties. with the
special proviso that the franchise is
granted subject 10 existing treaties.
The committee report that the granting
of the franchise and construction of
the railroad will not only be of great
public benefit to the sections connected
: thereby, but will also be of great
+ BENEFIT TO THE INDIANS
! themselves by furnishing an efficient
: and speedy method for the pursuit and
!, Io..o,t of or;po;po1o fokiur roft1Oo in
their territory, and also by a cheaper
and speedier method of delivering their
!; supplies, mails, ETC., as well as by Civ
ing them market for their products
and stimulating their productive capa-
city, which is the surest and best in
centive to civilization. Citizens of Kan
sas at present find their best market in
Estates in the lower Mississippi valley,
and to reach it they have to go round
| by way ola long all-rail route, whereas,
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