New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-10
DOUGHTY "GEN." SPARKS.
RUDELY EJEcrING VETERAN SOLDIER
REFUSING TO BE "DorHERED" BY COLONEL Da
AHNA-LASD OFFICE AFFAIRS.
IRX Ap.Ir


WASHINGTON, May o." General
Sparks has found it impossible longer TO restrain
his martial ardOr, to postpone the execution
OF his determination TO Turn the rascals out" Hs
first outbreak since he entered upon his duties
Commissioner Of the General Lani Office occurred
in his office this forenoon. It appears that
he has acted upon his belief that
all the officers Of the Public Land Service are dishonest
to the extent OF suspending the OF number OF
the special agents, among whom Is Colonel Dc Alma
who has been stationed in Nevada Some time ago
Colonel De Alma to Washington on a
leave Of absence. He found that General"
Sparks had conceived a strong prejudice
against him and he made repeated efforts induce the
Commissioner to examine his reports special agent
feeling confident that they would disabuse him Of tho
prejudice. These efforts did not succeed. Yesterday
he learned that his for salary and expenses
had been suspended because OF certain items In
count which was settled aud allowed some months ago.
upon representations made by Colonel DE Alma sup
ported by statement from General ROsecrans.
Colonel De Anna having received pay since Gen
eral Sparks assumed charge found himself In neod OF
money and this morning he went to the Land Office TO
obtain settlement. After discussion OF tho
matter d" General" Sparks became angry and said: "I
cannot be bothered by you any longer Leave my
Office"
Colonel de Alma declined TO go such invitation,
whereupon the doughty General sprang his feet
seized the Colonel by the throat tore his collar aud coat
apart and called upon other persons who present
to assist him in ejecting the intruder
Following the advice OF OF the bystanders Colonel
de Alma retired, but not until he had observed
to General" Sparks: You making blanked fool
OF yourself" He returned afterwar and obtained
the names OF the witnesses TO the assault and remarked
that he had out warrant for the commissioners
arrest.
General" Sparks subsequently said that he did not
TO anything about the matter except that ho
did not intend 20 allow persons 10 make disturbance
In the office" IL he could prevent 1t.
In this case the disturbance caused by the head or
an important bureau laying violent hands upon subor
dinate officer VINO had 70 his office public bust-
ness and was seeking In legitimate way to obtain an
adjustment OF his accounts. The treatment that he
ceived Is generally denounced.
Colonel de Anna served with distinction IN the Union
Army during the War. Before that he served in Italy
under GarbaldI. Ie is said to be educated and ac
complshed gentleman and OF unsuied integrity.
Naturally therefore he IS averse to being published as
dishonest official II is expected that the matter viii DO
settled in the Police Court Colonel de Alma, OF course,
expects to lose his oce although he has some strong
/ Democratic friends.
Late this afternoon the marshal served warrant upon
General Sparks, and his personal bonds taken
for his appearance before the Police Court Monday
The accounting officers OF the Land Office say that Col
one DE Ahna accounts have not been adjusted because
Of his failure to furnish evidence or his employment on
active duty during certain days in March and April for
which he put in his bill His salary however, has nos
been stopped and the suspensory order OF the Coinm
| sioner applied only to his per diem allowance.
When the matter made known To Secretary Lamar
he showed signs of annoyance but made no comment