The morning call., 1893-02-28
SOME COAST GOSSIP.
The Benson Land Fraud Cases
To Be Pushed.
And Some San Francisco Bankers Will
Have an Interest in the rlatter
When the Trials Come.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-After the close
of the trial Of the FIRST OF the Benson cases
in November last, the assistant counsel of
the Government, T. S. StrattoD, addressed
q letter 10 Acknowledgement Miller rec
ommending that the remaining nine cases
against Benson be dismissed. which letter
was subsequently referred to Secretary
Noble for his action. Recently ex-Special
Agent Siebold, formerly in charge of the
cases, addressed letter to Mr.. Noble in
which lie reviewed the evidence in the cases
and called his attention to his reports
showing that the weakest case against
Benson had been tried in November. and
that he did not agree with Mr.. Stratton's
conclusions and recommendations.
Secretary Noble. In letter sent to the
Attorney General to-day declining to ap-
prove Siratton's recommen daiions. reviews
the evidence IN tine eases, ss5owiag that
great frauds upon the Government had been
perDetrated, and states that it is the duty OF
the Government to vigorously prosecute the
remaining cases against Benson, which
should now be prepared for trial. He also
refers to the statement OF District Attorney
Garter that /. was not desired to sharply
prosecute the case tried in Noyem ber, and
tended the races instead of remaining in
court to assist Mr.. Stration.
Secretary Noble has also recommended
in communication to the Secretary OF the
Treasury that suits be instituted against
several bankers In San Francisco to recover
large sums of money collected by them
from the Treasury upon false and fictitious
surveying contracts In the names of Ben
sons dummy surveyors.
The Camnetti hydraulic mining bill was
referred TO the War Department for an ex-
animation before it went to the President
for his signature. and there being some de-
lay about the matter, Caminetti went to the
War Department to-day and was fortunate
enough 10 arrive there just as an assistant
secretary came in with letter prepared
urging all sorts of objections to the bill.
The California representative labored with
the War Department officials, explaining
the bene fits that would result to miners and
to farmers by having the rivers improved,
and was rewarded by having the Secretary
of War write another letter, in which he
approved OF the bil The President will
sign it without doubt
Senator-eect White arrived tonight. He
was accompanied by Captain A. w. Bar
rows of Los Angeles.
Israel Lawt0n of Oakland Is at the Airing
ton Hotel. 1t is understood he wants to be
superintendent of the Mint at San Fran
cisco again.
Colonel John p. Irish Is here and wants
to get some of the small fry offices for his
friends, and a good-sized one for himself, If
possible.
j. J. Dwyer Of San Francisco is at the
Ebbtt House.
Senator Squire presented to the Senate
to-day a memorial from the Chamber of
Commerce at Port Townsend, WASH, setting
forth the defenseless condition of the sea
coast of the State of Washington from the
Columbia River to British Columbia, and
urging that steps be taken by Congress to
fortify that part of the coast.
Pensions have been granted as follows:
California: Original-Thomas Curry, James
Ginnerty, James M. Mayfield, James
Wright, William Gardiner. Reissue-Isaac
M. Define. Original widows-Pauline E.
Pinkerton, Carrie NJ. Shepherd, Mary A.
Price. Mexican survivors - George w.
Toombs. Mexican widows-Margaret Nj.
SDrowl
Oregon: William II. Abrams
Additional-Joseph t. Wilson.
Washington: Original-Charles B. Wilson,
Edward Shat,uck. Henry Rose, Lewis A.
Dunn. Original widow-Rebecca A. Mil
hoilipmother