St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-29
RYAN GROWS WRATHY.
A Former Agent at the Seal
Islands Says High Officials Are
Engaged in Gigantic Steal.


Engaged in a Gigantic Steal.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Jan. 2s,-The
receipt here to-day of the evidence given
before the congressional committee in
vestigating government affairs at the
Seal Islands of Alaska, created consid-
cradle comment in certain circles that
have taken live interest in the investi-
CATION The evidence shows that one
Capt Shepherd, of the revenue cutter
Rush, testified that in the year
1857. while carrying out the
instructions of the secretary of
of the treasury to seize all piratical YES
sells found killing seals in the waters of
Behring sea, he captured fifteen yes
sells laden with $4,000 seal skins, all of
which property was confiscated. The
significant feature of the testimony is
Shepherds statement that last season
QSSS) he made no seizures, because OF
confidential instructions from the secre-
tary of the treasury not to interfere.
lie teStifies that the marauderS took III
1888, according to published accounts OF
the number of skins sold by the pirate
ships On their return home, between
$4,000 and $4,000 skins. Thomas F.
Ryan, of this city, eX-treasury agent to
the Seal islands, and accounted among
the best living authorities on the seal
fisheries question, in an interview this
evening says:
Capt Shepherds report for last year is
positively startling. 1t shows clearly that
the great interests have been prostituted for
political purposes, and that our possessions
in the seal islands have been robbed by the
direct or indirect connivapce of some one
high in authority. / am thoroughly familiar
with the whole question. and do not hesitate
to charge that gigantic fraud on the gov
eminent is being covered up. The $4,000
skins. which Shepherd swears he knows
were taken by the pirates last year, sailing
under the British flag. would bring at
Victoria or San Francisco S175, 600.
For the prxiege OF committing ting this
rates could afford to pay a big
round sum, perhaps as much as 500. 000.
Now, am interested to learn who got the
money. am watching to see whether the
committee win dare to probe this steal to the
bottom, and trace the bride money that
surely passed. Capt. Shepherd testifies that
under his instructions from the treasury de-
partment he could not seize the pirates, al
though he found them engaged in their un
lawful work. Questioned as to the precise
character of transformations, note Shepherds
astonishing and significant reply. He says,
under oath: Il received confidential in
structionS from the treasury department, the
copy OF which is on file IN the department,
and which were returned to the department
by their ORDERS" If it is all the
same to the committee, I would
ask that it apply to the sec
rotary of the treasury for copy Of these in
structions rather than to ask me to dIvulge
them. Now, there isbut one construction to
be put Oh this statement. and that is that
some influence was brought to beer upon the
department to secure immunity from seizure
for these marauders. Taking the situation
at the Washington end at that particular
juncluIe, when the Democratic committee
was hungry for funds and the administration
was disposed to toady to the English flag,and
you have the explanation of what would
otherwise be very mysterious affair. There
will be more light thrown Oh this branch Of
the subject matter.
y Mr.. Ryan himself was a witness be-
fore the congressional committee few
weeks ago. but he states that he was
abruptly dismissed when about one-half
of his real testimony had been elected.