The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-01
bipartisan QUARREL
Is LIKELY TO RESULT FROM SENATOR
EDMUNps' RESOLUTION
Calling on the President for Those
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Frauds in Public
Land OfHces in Utah-Call for s Per
Cent. Bonds-Capital Cuttings.

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 1.-The declin-
alton of the administration to comply with
the resolution of the senate calling for
papers bearing upon the official character of
the district attorney for the southern district
of Alabama was the topic of discussion at
the capitol and in places of public resort
Saturday. There appears to be every indi-
cation Of bitter contest over the matter,
and before the end is reached, unless remark
able skill is displayed, it will develop into q
controversy of thorough partisan charac-
ter. Senator Edmunds is charged with the
management of the whole affair on the part
of the majority, and the programme viii
probably be to demand of each cabinet off,
cor certain papers, which will undoubtedly
be refused, and the entire admin
istration thereby be placed on record against
the demands of the upper house This having
been done, the chances for open session will
be good. But before this is reached it is
quite probable the Republicans under the
leadership of Edmunds will 60 a step far
Their and pass a resolution directing the
president to submit to the senate the papers
asked for. The president will undoubtedly
refuse to comply with this resolution also,
whereupon the partisan debate is likely to
be inaugurated in open session Rumor has
it that there are three senator's who are OPP
posed to the stand taken by their brethren,
and about whom the majority are extremely
anxious. 1t Is not believed, however, that
there will be any assertions from the ranks.
The two parties viii doubtless stand solidly
together on either side of the question
At II o'clock Saturday morning under a
oil b,,C h, 4,
senators met in caucus, and after long
but harmonious discussion unanimously
adopted the following:
Resolved, That we approve the views
and action Of the president communicated
TO the senate through Attorney General
Gsrland in his letter of Jan 80 1856, and
chat we cordially support the executive
therein"
The letter of she attorney general has
been received by the president OF the senate
and will be laid before that body
on the next executive session. 1t can
be stated on semi-official authority that
the substance of the reply is practically
| the same as outlined in these dispatches on
Thursday last and that the papers called for
will not be furnished Tie discussion in the
caucus Saturday afternoon did not vary in
any particular-every member present ad-
vocating that the Democrats stand by the
executive in this matter until the end. 1t is
thought that the Republi an senator's will
hold caucus on Monday, on which day the
attorney generals letter will doubtless be
| laid before the senate in executive session
| Investigating Utah Public LAND Offices.
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. When Mr..
K s. Dement,, Of Lexington, His, received
his appointment as surveyor general of Utah
territory few months ago he received in
structions from Mr.. Sparks TO make an in.
vestigation into the frauds which Mr.. Sparks
believed existed in the public land Offices OF
the territory. Dr. Dement, returned to
Washington Wednesday and was closetetl
until n late hour Thursday night with MIR.
Sparks Friday he had long interview
with Secretary Lamar, at which Senator
| Logan was present He claims that tis Ell.
tire federal system of the territory is honey.
combed with fraud, and the report which lie
will make upon that subject will contain
numerous sensational features
Immediately after his arrival he en-
ployed the services of four detectives Tha
result Of their investigation shows, be
claims, that most of the public lands in the
territory has been stolen by the railroads
and certain prominent private citizens; that
80 per cent. of the entries made by the Nor.
mons are fraudulent, and also 25 per cent.
of those made by the Gentiles These
| fraudulent entries were made, 1t is claimed
with the collision of corrupt ring Of
| federal officials there and here
Mr. Dement, also claims to have document.
airy evidence in his possession showing thai
the Mormon church has spent large sums OF
money to prevent legislation inimical Il
their interests, and to secure favorable de
cisions from the courts This money ha,
been disbursed through lobbyists here Hi.
report will show that certain United
States senator received 81, 900 for leading
he opposition to tho Edmunds bill The re
port will also charge that number of rep
tesentatives have been similarly bribed
| Mr.. Dement, will have an interview witt
the president on this subject