The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-02-05
Vast Frauds in Utah.
THE ASTOUNDING STORY TOLD BY SURVEY
oR-GENERAL DyMENr.

w. E. Curtis, a well known Wash
ington correspondent, in II special from
Washington says:
Richard S. Dement, of Illinois, who
was appointed surveyor general of
Utah last Fall, arrived here Thursday
AFTERNOON and was up all night and
most of yesterday with Commissioner
Sparks at the Land Office, and has had
long interview with Secretary Lamar.
Mr.. Dement, brings with him a trunk
full Of documents and most extraor.
dinary story.
1t appears that when he went to
Utah he was instructed by the Secre-
tary of the Interior to make a through
examination of the land offices of Utah,
and was authorized to employ what
ever assistance was necessary. Mr..
Dement, says that before he went to his
post he secured the services of four
skillful detectives. who were set at
work at once. They had not gone far
in their Investigations of the land
offices when they discovered clues
which led TO an inquiry into the official
conduct OF the other branches of the
Government there, and Mr.. Dement,
claims to have secured evidence which
will fill all the jails of Utah with
officials and ex-officials.
He says that within the last ten
years there have been committed in
Utah the most astounding frauds that
were ever rerprtrated on the American
continent, and his discoveries not only
cover the officials in the territory, but
involve senators, members of Congress
and former officials of the Interior De-
partment. He claims TO have secured,
through bis detectives, documentary
evidence to substantiate these remark
| able assertions, and that Secretary
Lamar and Commissioner SparSs have
already been convinced by them.
These mysterious documents are said
to disclose the transactions of the Nor
mon agents in Washington, aud the
means they have used to prevent legis-
lation and secure favorable decisions
by the Supreme Court of the United
States. According to Mr.. Dement, =
story he has covered all the Mormon
iniquitles in two months work by him
self and four detectives.
Referring g first to the discoveries il
the Land Office, Mr.. Dement, says hC
has proofs to show that nearly all O.
the public lands in Utah have been
stolen either by the railroad companies
or the settlers; that about so per cen
of the entries by Mormons have beer
fraudulent, and about 25 per cent o
those that have been made by Gentie
are of the same character. Minera
lands have been entered as homeste cad
and rich farming country as deser
\ands. These frauds, Mr.. Demen
iaims, have been not only winked at
but participated in by the Fedora
officials in and outside the Land Office
and there is ring in which have Join
ed all the Federal officials, from the
Governor down, for the plunder of tn,
Government.
MIR, Dement, says that the Mormon,
have spent an enormous amount of
money in Washington during the last
four or five years IN attempting to de.
feat legislation and prevent adverse
decisions by the courts, and he has
secured documents to show to whom
the funds have been paid.
When asked what congressman are
involved, Mr., Dement, said that most
of them were Democrats, but there are
several Republicans on the list, one of
whom, a Western Republican senator,
received s25, 900 for opposing the Ed
munds bill. Other senators have re-
ceived smaller sums from lime to time,
The payments having covered several
years, and the money being disbursed
by a well known lobbyist here, who
mas rendered an account quarterly.
Several Democratic members of the
House have received sums of $1,000 at