Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-04
THE INTERVIEW WITH DEMENT,.
Newspaper Correspondents Make State.
mentS Before a Senate Committee.

ments Before Senate Committee.
heard the statements OF certain newspaper cor
respondents in relation to interviews they had
published with Surveyor General Dement,, of
Utah, and which he had denied.
Mr.. John A. Corwin, of the Chicago Times,
stated that he called upon Dement, at the Harris
House. He had been informed that Dement,
was here for the purpose OF comforting with the
land Office in reference to frauds he had dis
covered, and he (Corwin) went in search of De-
ment for the purpose of int erviewing him. De-
ment asked how Corwin had learned he was
here. 81 laughed at him. said the witness,
"and said you have been swooping round here
and the Interior department for two or three
days. Somebody was sure to get you" Laugh
ter Mr. Corwin affirmed the correctness OF his
have the matter published now, as the develop
ments were not complete, AID If Corwin would
withhold it his paper should have the informa-
ton, at the proper time, exclusively; but Mr..
Corwln did not agree to withhold the matter.
Mr.. Curtis, correspondent of the Chicago
Iater-Ocedn, stated that he got his information
from Mr.. Corwin. He did not see Dement, in
person. Mr.. COrwin also stated that he gave
the substance of his Interview with Dement, to
Mr.. Balm, of tie New York World, stated that
he called upon Dement, at the Harris house and
the interview, which had been sent to the New
York Graphic. Dement, dictated a brief state
ment, which he authorized to be sent as eina-
original draft of the interview dictated.
Then. he said, Dement, entered into converse
ton upon the matter of frauds in Utah, stating
that q fraud syndicate existed; that the Nor
mons sent money to Washington to influence
legislation and had bribed members of both
houses Of Congress. But Dement, stipulated
coming from him. He maintained that they
were true, but preferred they should not appear
to the charge Of "ba6bling." Mr.. Balm wrote
out what Dement, bad authorized, and also
sent to the World the matter which
some mistake 1t all appeared in quotation
marks coming from Dement,. The latter
asserted that five Senators and good many
members of the House had received money
derived from land frauds. Two OF these Sem
ators, according to Dement,, were from the west,
two from the middle portion OF the Union, and
one from the far east. Dement, did not locate
any Representatives, merely saying that many
of them, some of them men OF high standing,
conversation Dement, remarked, said Mr.. Bain
that SO far as land stealing was concerned out
west, politics had nothing to do with il. Dement,
pronounced that portion OF the original inter-
view which reflected upon Gov. Murray, of
Utah, as false: He also mentioned registers,
receivers of public moneys and surveyors gen.
eral as mixed up in frauds.
Mr.. T. c. Crawford, correspondent of the New
York World, stated that Mr.. Balm explained to
him that a large portion of what Dement, had
said was not to be published upon his authority,
though he stood ready in the event Of its being
questioned to affirm its truth By some mis-
take 1t ali appeared as upon Dement'S authority.
Mr.. Crawford explained the matter to Dement,
in the presence of Gen. Sparks. At that time
and to Gen. sparks Dement, denied the pub
lished interview.
Mr.. Jules Guthredge, correspondent of the
Chicago NeDs, sent the interview, as Mr.. Cor
win had related 1t. He knew Dement,, and in
response to u written request called upon the
latter last Sunday evening. Dement, declared
to him that the interviews published COM
ing from him were false throughout; that there
was not a word of truth in them. At Dement'S
request Mr.. Guthredge introduced him to Mr.
Boynton, of the Western Associated press, and
Dement, requested the latter to send out sweep
ing denial OF those interviews.
Mr.. Fred. Perry Powers, Of the Chicago Times,
stated that Mr.. Corwin told him he had heard
of Dement'S presence here, and that evening
informed him that he had interviewed Dement,.
Mr.. Powers had not seen Dement, during his
present visit
notified OF the hearing, but had replied he had
no desire to be present