New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-28

the money" or any part OF It, from the govern
ment, $S.524 Il.
In the name Of Charles Holconb who, as shown
by official records. was never appointed by either
Wagner Brown deputy surveyor. and who dur
Ing six years service of ''Benson's depu-
ties" never took an oath Of Office and did not
know that there a single contract in his name
until nearly three after the date Of the first
contract, and not until over $4,000 had been paid
out OF the Treasury IN his name on ACCOUNTS ap-
In the name OF George W. Baker. fifteen con-
This large sum of money. s174152 o. was paid to
the banks, bankers and capitalists OF San Fran
cisco, who received from the United States Treas
ury for John A Benson the proceeds of these fraud
know that the contracts with single exception,
we're in existence They in their Ignorance. signed
those papers the demands upon the Treasury were
"Of the proceeds OF the contracts amounting TO
sS6,00o, said Special Agent John A. Sibbald, In
eraI Land Once. IN washington. controlled by
Vestigetion VIII show that not Iess than tres
quarters OF million dollars paid out OF the
city (san Francisco} false and fraudglent powers
conducted by the late United States District At
torney and my predecessor, these forgeries were
against the guilty parties under Section 52l Of the
lions now protects the forgers from criminal prose-
cution, but believe that the Government has It's
Se w Who used the Bogus Se ay at
the Treasury at least In the cases referred to in
Benson and his confederates ask immunity for
ther rands b nGs at f s 10 e sS 1
them for surveys heretofore rejected by the Gen
0us and frapG3Ient am S according 70 y
these bankers also furnished the bonds for Benson
and his assistants when they were arrested under
duty of the government to make them pay back tbs
Benson as 1t is to prosecute Benson under the in
dictments."
During President Cleyelaad,s administration the
By an agent gents sent out BY ssSrsaTy c
Benson and number of his associates were IN
records and Benson NE fed to Europe Subsequently
Benson was extredited and brought back to trial
behalf and his trial was postponed Special AGENT
sent to California to investigate It is alleged that
the United States District Attorney did not prose-
against the advice Of Mr.. sibbald the weakest
ss ea s TIE result o ns az ae eaa pre-
The harvest Of the Benson ring while it existed
R SGe 81 his
James r. WOODS Tor surveys aounting 20 $500 ~
be in the handwriting Of Woods. gives some inter
/ copy is as follows:
Surveys made. aountins sS5oOco
once work on notes 500
lobbying Congress ........ .......... $4,000
Expense1 field work.-..-........-..-.------ 10000
Divided equally gives se5OO
Deduct ]. Il Woodss personal sxpenses.---... $1,000
Balance due J. SIS 500
This shows that the profits Of Benson and Woods
surveying contracts. amounting 20 SSoOCto. was
, about 81 per cent At the rate the profits on
the total amount OF the contracts (9S9O0) secured
by the ring in California under Surveyors General
/ Wagner and Brown would amount 10 over S5O0sO-
During the second administration OF President
Cleveland Benson came to Washington and actually
succeeded In getting Judge Lamoreux 10 order the
payment OF $4,000 to cover contracts the payment
of which had been suspended on evidence OF viola
ton OF original contracts. Before this money was
paid BnEer Hermann succeeded MIR. LamoreuX as
Commissioner Of the Land Office and held up the
money, sending notice to Benson that he should
appear and show why payment shouid not DO
suspended. Benson appeared. and the result or MS
interview with Commissioner Hermann was az
agreement that he should return to California ana
have the lands In question properly resurveyed at
his own expense
Benson, however, has never taken advantage OF
the of the compromise, preferrtng to lose the
10000 than go TO the |ense of making true
and proper surveys. This amount. IL is said, has
long ago been covered into the Treasury
Next Wednesday Benson. who Is now out on
bond. will have preliminary hearing here. Al
though Secretary Hitchcock will not disclose the
nature of the evidence which he has collected
against him, u is officially stated that the charges
cannot be affected by the statute OF limitations