Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-29
SURPRISING DISCLOSURES
High Government officials Hand in Hand
With Seal Pirates in Behring's Sea

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28.-The receipt
here today of evidence given before the
congressional committee investigating
government affairs at the Seal islands Of
Alaska created considerable comment in
certain circles that have taken live in
terest in the investigation. The evidence
shows one Captain Shepard of the revenue
cutter Rush testified that in the year 1857
while carrying out instructions of the
secretary of the treasury to sieZes all
piratical vessels found killing seals in the
tured fifteen vessels laden with
1900 seal skins, all of which
property was confscated. The significant
feature of the testimony is Shepard's
statement that last season uS8S) he made
lions from the secretary of the treasury
not to interfere. He testifies that the
marauders took in 1888, according to the
published accounts of the number of
skins sold by the pirate ships ON their re
turn home, between %, 900 and $1,000 skins.
Thomas F. Ryan, of this city, ex--
treasury agent to the seal island and
accounted among the best living authori-
ties on the seal fisheries question in an
interview this afternoon says:
Captain Shepard's report for last year is
positively startling 1t shows clearly that
the great seal interests have been prosti-
tuted for piratical purposes and that our
possessions in the Seal islands have been
robbed by the direct or indirect conniv-
ance of some one high in authority. l am
thoroughly familiar with the whole ques-
tiol and do not hesitate to charge that a
gigantic fraud on the government is being
covered up. The &c, 600 skins which Shep-
ard swears he knows were taken 0y the pi-
rates last year sailing under British flag
would bring at Victoria or San Francisco
sl75, 600 For the privilege of committing
could afford to pay a big round
sum, perhaps as much as 800, 600.
| am watching to see if the committee will
dare to probe the steal to the bottom and
trace the bride money that surely passed.
Captain Shepard testifies that under his
instructions from the treasury department
he could not seize the pirates, although he
found them engaged in their unlawful
work.
Questioned as to the precise character
of his instructions, note Shepard's aston
lshing and significant reply. He says
under OATH 1 received confidential in-
structions from the treasury department, a
copy or which is on file in the department
and which were returned to the depart
ment by their orders. If it is all the same
to the committee l would ask that it apply
for copy of these instructions
rather than ask me to divulge them Now
there is but one construction to be put on
this statement-that is that some influence
was brought to bear upon the department
to secure immunity from seizure for these
marauders.
Taking the investigation at the Wash
ington end, at that particular juncture
when the Democratic committee was hun
gry for funds and the administration was
disposed to the English flag, and you have
the explanation of what would otherwise
be very mysterious affair. There will be
more light thrown on this branch of the
subject later"
Mr.. Ryan himself was a witness before
the congressional committee few weeks
ago, but states he was abruptly dismissed
when about half of his real testimony had
been elected.