New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-09
HERE'S 4 CHANCE TO-" OPEN TIE BOOKS"
PECULIAR PRACTICES IL THE LAND OFFICE THAT
WILL ErrAY INVESTIGATION


Washington, July (spccan.-Placc has been gwen
in these dispatches to statement OF Fletcher John
ston chief of the Division of Accounts, denying the
existence OF any controversy between First Controller
Durham and the General Land Ohicc relative to the
practice Of suSpcudng vouchers Of account. ana Ie-
tanning The same in the last named Office, and also
DENYING that he had ntimated that Commissioner
Sockslagcr's views upon that point were Influenced
by the fact that he (Sockslagcr had claim on ac-
count Of salary which would have 10 be passed upon
by Controller Durham. in view Of detailed sworn
testimony which has since been furnished to the cor
respondent Of The Tribune, he Is compelled TO char
acterlze Mr.. Johnstons published denial as dsingen-
uous and lusory and to insist upon the accuracy Of
The original statement Of the matter in the issue OF
The Tribune of Monday last
The present management Of the General Land Ofcc
morcovcl-Or rather its fragrant mismaGa gcmcni-and
particularly OF It's Division OF Accounts. has be-
come, from the important principles involved, the
large sums Of money al stake. with the wrongs done TO
its helpless wards the settlers the public domain
a matter of the greatest public concern. and one
which continues approximately 10 challenge Congress
slonal interference and nvcsiiga ion. They havc al
ready caused insertion OF an important plank in
tho platform adopted 10y the National Republican Con
vcniiOn az Chicago
4 former issue of The Tribune invited attention 10
The misapplcaon of money deposited By
individuals, railroads, mining companies, etc.
ard deposits made for a specific purpose ard
only applicable to expenses connected herewith
money. in fact paid in by the people to and held
in trust by the Government. This miSapplcatiln and
Illegal payment of moneys which constitute a
peculiarly sacred deposit has occurred particularly
in the State Of California. With the consent and
by the direction OF the General Land Office The SUI
vcyorGcncra has used large amounts Of this fund
for illesltimate expenditures of various kinds. and
raop u1orl,- o1Io tFuf
claimed to have been pcrpctratcd under former all
minisratons. With that charming nalvcic which
distinguishes this reform Administration, which so
loudly clamorcd open the books@ the official
iesSion and evidence Of these nefarious transactions
have been sOwn broadcast all over this broad Union
in the pages of the annual report OF The Commissioner
Of the General Land Office. which interesting docI-
mcnt details in eXtensO delinqucnc!cs for which Il is
10 bc presumed 'thc Commissioner who ordered and
the Secretary who permitted them are Liable to i'm
parchment. SAYS II. Il. Hammond j.. democratic
sulveyorGencral Of California, in hi. annnal report
Tor the fiscal year ending June 80. 1o-7: However,
Congress hes appropriated for this purpose (salaros
as against uniform appropriation in former years Of
known tho special deposit fund. which is almost
wholly made up from special deposits for surveys
and which las necessarily been drawn upon SO heavily
during IN" past two yeas. o"lng 10 the ack OF pIorr
appropriation. hal il has now bccome ra-ucally
the able custodian Of Spanish and Mexican archives
VIII show ~ once eat necessity for the care u r''-
mcnts which are Of incsm@5c value. and yet Tor ne
flls time in the history ID tbs Office ariC'fli on
made a, the last session % Congress for Che CON
tnuancc OF this department. and the much-'S"d ard
mach abused special deposit fund was taxed Tor this
purpose"
sivoyor-Gcneraf Hammond also rcf,rs particularly
70 G. T. Conrad, snccial agent Of tho Gcn"al lana
Office who during the greater part % eighteen mont s..
there investigating The acts Of his liam 'onfsl
pcdeces sors and was cons anly using Inc cnry'' nl
lis Office collect data for him while this mSapplL
claimants says The surveyor encrc are daily i'm
poItunnG TO have their mines completed when thcy
have ceased to be patient OF delay which is unaVoil
able" In such fashion does this ZealouS officer under
the orders Of tho Commission OF the General Land Office
Illegally cXpcnd the special deposit funds for h"s"
extraordinary expenses no authorized or appropriate
for by law Al advances Of moneys 10 surveyor Cen
erals az authorized through the Division OF Account,
Of the General Land OGlc". and hr adjustment of fnn
accounts covering these Illegal expenditure; Of many
thousands dollars hes been certified by IL CHEZ and
signed 10y the Commissioners BY all means lei Con
elcSS "Open the books