The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-06
STARTLING CHARGES.

There have been for some time past rumors
afoat in Washington City charging gross
corrupt management OF the Interior Depart
ment. The opportunities for fraud are
greater in this department, perhaps, than in
any other. The entire public domain is
under IFS charge. Millions are discussed
through the hands OF its officials ia the In
dian Bureau. Il has been commonly re-
ported that Mr.. Teller was using the enor-
nous resources of this great department to
advance his own fortunes. Senator Hill
charges that lis defeat was secured in the
Colorado legislature by the g1ossest corrup-
tioa. Tie Washington correspondent OF
the Chicago TrionDs (uI;ra- B aine Rspub-
licsn O;ssDl teiegrsphs the details OF the
charges against Secretary Teller. He say:
"Fhere has been developed within the lest
twenty-four hours something very specific.
Senator Hill introduced today Wednesday
the 4thl resolution which, while very in
nocent on its face, is supported by two
very remarkable letters. If the charges in
these letters are true Mr.. Teller should be
impeached. Mr. Hills resolution calls for
two official reports which, il is alleged, have
been suppressed by Dir. Teller. Some time
ago great land frauds were reported in New
Mexico. 1t was charged that fully 90 per
cent of the land interests in that Territory
were fraud ulent. The Commissioner OF the
Land Office detailed two OF his
most faithful special agents to make
an investigation of the charges. They
made exhaustive reports and reported
that the charges were true. They reported
also that the persons guilty of the frauds
should DE criminally prosecuted. Senator
Hill called upon the Commissioner OF the
Land Office for these reports"
The Commissioner said in reply that Sec
rotary Teller had never returned them.
Senator Hill promptly introduced in the
Senate the following:
Resolved, That the Secretary OF the Interior be
directed 10 furnish to the Senate copies of the re-
ports OF F. B. Hobbs and A. K. Green, inspectors
of the General Land Office, on the subject of the
fraudulent acquisition Of titles to lands in New
Mexico. and OF all testimony accompanying the
sale and also copies OF all papers on file in the
Indian Department relative to this subject.
Senator Hill bases his resolution upon
charges made in letter written by K. w.
Webb, OF the Las Vegas Gazette, who says:
Though at first reluctant to believe that per-
son occupying 30 eXalteQ ana responsible pO-
sition rs that OF Secretary OF the Interior would
choose to retain in office and personally protect
weli-known and selEconvicted land thieves and
DlundereTs am now free to confess that in the
iIsht of recent events there very strong
grounds Tor such belief. Mr.. Teller has had be.
fore him for some months the reports ana tesi-
mOnY sustaining them of Messrs. z. B. Hobbs and
a. K. Green, Inspectors Of the General Land
Office, who have investigated the land frauds OF
this district fully and of the southern district
partially, aud TO my certain knowledge not only
recommended tue immediate dismissal of certain
corrupt officials, but also that criminal proceed
ings be at once Instituted against them.
Webb says that Teller has ignored these
reports ana has retained the officers in
place, and that his personal friends are
interested in various land schemes of
doubtful repute. It is authoritstively stated
by the General Land Office that 90 per cent.
of the land entries of New Mexico are
fraudulent.