The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-10-26


province of your investigation, that the South
ern Pacific company by and through its land
agent, jerome Madden, did in certain letters
signed by him in his official capacity us said
land agent addressed to Henry Black, G. j. Yost,
DR.. Wildwood, Murray Dunlap and Others in the
vicinity of Banning station, Southern Pacific
railroad, incite and encourage 4 spirit OF out
lawry, INSTRUMENTATION, disregard for acts OF
Congress, and the orders of the President OF the
United States, and the decisions of the honor
able secretary of the interior and his subordi
mates, the honorable commissioner of Indian at
fairs and the honorable commissioner of the
general land offices. Respectfully,
Sp1 Agt Gen'l Land Office.
This letter went upon the files of the
Pacific Railroad commission and Senator
Stanfords attorney secured a copy of it.
After reading letter addressed by Con-
rad TO the Pacific Railroad commission,
dated August 10, 1887, it is said the Senator
declared to several persons that Conrad
| would have to co. and in June last he
| told Colonel Mosbey, of rebellion fame, that
he would secure Conrad's removal.
That the officials of the general land
offices fully understood and Secretary
Noble was himself informed of the charac
ter of the opposition to government in its
efforts to bring the Benson criminals to
| justice, is positively shown by the follow
ing extracts from letter of Acting Com
missioner Stone, addressed to Secretary
/
ment of extra counsel to aid the govern
ment in the suits to be tried:
! When it is considered that the powerful
! Nevada bank which made deposits for these hc
titious surveys, is earnestly engaged in the de
Tense of Benson, all the Importance of securing
additional counsel to aid the government, as
suggested by Mr.. Conrad will be seen. The
Nevada bank is making its claims against the
government for moneys paid for these surveys,
and in connection with suits now pending has
secured us counsel for defendants q United
States Senator, Hon. w. NJ. Stewart, as l see by
the evidence now before me.
President Harrison had been in office but
twenty five days when Special Agent Conrad was
notified by a telegram from the department that
his services We're dispensed with. Conrad en-
tered no protest, but on April IL, however he
was reinstated, and from that date until his
final removal his career has been marked by pc
culiar YiciSSitudes.
Senator w. M. Stewart, who appeared as
counsel for Benson, joined with Senator
Stanford, Senator Jones, of Nevada, and
Congressman FELTON,, Morrow and Clunie
in telegram to Secretary Noble demand
ing the dismissal of Conrad on the ground
that he was thoroughly unfit for his posi-
ton.
Under date of July % Stone addressed to
Noble the following remarkable letter:
SIR am in receipt, by your reference for u
report, of q telegram dated San Francisco, the
18th inst, signed by Leland Stanford, w. NJ.
"
G.. n. FELTON, W. w. Morrow J. T, Clune, Con
gressmen, stating that c. F. Conrad special
agent OF this department is thoroughly unfit for
his position and earnestly requesting his imme.
diate removal. In referring to said telegram
you request report as to my opinion OF Conrad.
My opinion of Conrad may be summarized
follows: In acting under official instruction he
has shown great zeal in securing evidence upon
which j. Benson and his alleged co-conSpicators
have been several times indicted by the federal
grand jury in San Francisco. l am further of
VNfrNfEN tN.afh
in these cases has created a local prejudice
against him and has largely contributed to the
demand. II deserves the careful consideration
Of the GepartU Cnt. The telegram referred TO is
herewith returned. Very respectfully.
a. W. STONE, acting commissioner.
At last it appeared that the government
would go into court with a complete case
against the thieves who had plundered the
treasury with impunity for so many years,
but October 9,when the work of the special
agent was nearly completed, he received
the following telegram from Commissioner
Lewis y. Graft
C, L. Conrad. special agent, care United
States Surveyor General, San Francisco Gala. ::
The secretary dispenses with your services as
special agent of this Office from and after DC
tober II, 1889. Turn over all papers relating to
examinations of surveys, TO the United States
surveyor general; those relating to fraudulent
entries 10 the register and receiver AZ San
Francisco.
Agent Conrad arrived here Wednesday
last. He at once called upon Secretary
Noble. He was reluctant to discuss his
own case, but spoke briefly of his dismissal.
He said to the World reporter
realize fully that my removal is due to the in
huence of the Senators who signed the telegram
received by Secretary Noble in July. They
have threatened me again and again, and L
knew their power The Congressman who
signed the dispatch were induced to do SO by
the others. l saw Congressman Clunie before |
left San Francisco. He took occasion to assure
me that he heartily regretted having done so,
AS he characterized it, it was the 'meanest
thing OF his life Congressman FELTON,, whom
also saw, told me he had nothing whatever
against me personally but that he was opposed
to special agents on principle, as they made too
much trouble.
Conrad, who alone holds the key to the
situation, so far as the interests of the gov
eminent are concerned, and whose inform
alton and testimony are absolutely essen
tial TO the conviction of these miscreants,
is dismissed without cause" and retires
from the prosecution of Benson and his
band of conspirators and periurers. VIII
the men who have shielded these rascals so
long be permitted by virtue of their high
position to put to the public with impunity
that classic enquiry, What are you going
to do about it -