Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-02-16
CON RESSI ION A l..
Correspondence Of tbs New York Express.
WASHINGTON. Jan 30ih.
ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.

duced into the House of Representatives on Mon
day last, by Mr.. RARIDEN OF Indiana:
| Resolred, That The Secretary OF War be direc-
ted 10 report to this House the names and rank
of the officers of the Army OF the United States
who have been employed since July, 1881, IN
paving Indian annunities, or IN making pay meht
under treaty stipulation, showing the tribe or ma
ton 10 whom paid, and the amount paid to each
tribe with the amount paid 10 such officers either
as salaries, per centags, per diem pay, mileage
| TRANSFORMATION, or subsistence.
And Also the names and residence OF each IN
dyidual employ ed since July, 1884, III the trans
por,a,ion of money, goods, or other property para
n the Indians the amount OF, and what property
transported the amount paid TO each person SO EN-
ployed, distinguishing what was paid rs wages,
what for transportation, mileage, subsistence, or
per cen,ase, aud how long each person was so
employed in each case, and tor what tr'oe or ma
ton.
And also the names and residence Of each IN
d,y,duaI EMPLOY ed In removing the Indians west
of The Mississippi since 1881, exclusive OF the
Army together with the compensation paid TO
each how long ench was employed, and IN what
capacity, noting what was paid 10 each rs salary,
wha, as per diem pay. expenses incurred, or SUD
sis,ence, during the time SO employed
And also. to report the names and residence OF
all persons employed as commissioners, or by any
other name, since 1880, to investigate cia,Ins a
gainst Indians, and the names and residence OF The
emDioVGQ 10 ara SuCil So!ihSciohei7,
whether as clerks, secretaries, Or attorneys, to-
oa,her with the location of the Indians where the
services were rendered, the amount OF claims III
yestrated, the time employed, and the amount OF
compensation paid 10 each, whether as salary, per
diem allowance, expenses, transportation, sui'sis-
tence. or per centage, and to specify under wha'
laws the various persons before named nave been
appointed to the several employs and paid.
The presentation Of these resolutions, which
Il ado mt
cause some one opposed them, and because sus-
pension of the rules was necessary TO bring them
before the House, have led me TO mako some ~
curry upon the subject of our Indian Affairs The
result of that inquiry is the following information,
which | intend, If | can find time, to follow up by
other expostions on the same subject
NV object now is to make some comments upon
the above resolutions, and to compare this inpor-
tant branch of our national affairs win inc fnode
of administering the same branch OF the pubic
service before Gen. Jackson became President OF
tho Eniied States Before Reform was introduced
into our Indian Departmental mean that kind
of reform which distinguished most of the acts of
Gen Jackson's Admins ration,-the payment OF
Annuities and the fulhlment of all treaty stipu
lations were performed by Indian Agents at q
SALARY of t,relre hundred dollars per The
Government Indian Funds sustained no other
charge than the actual expenses of transporta- |
ton and other, but inconsderable contingent ex-
penses, and in addition to this economical arrange
ment, the system was otherwise guarded Upon |
the commencement of each quarter, each of the |
Indian Agents submitted estimates for the wants
Of his branch of the service. These estimates
were to be approved of by the proper departments |
here and if approved of, the Indian Agent was
authorized to draw for the amount Of the es,-
mate for the quarter specified. II was required
of him that he should give vouchers for the faith
full execution of all services,a land bring the proof
tina; the amount of his first draft had been faith
fully expended, before he could draw for the Sc
cond estimate. By these checks it was impossi-
Bile, under any circumstances, for an Indian Agent
to purloin from the Treasury dollar beyond the
amount of his quarterly estimates, and even this
small speculation could not have been made with
out almost immediate discovery.
Mr. Raridcn's resolutions intended TO bring
forth public acknowledgements of the fact OF the
departure from this safe and cheap administration
Of this branch of service. 1t is proposed to show
LIST, That the officers Of the Army have been
reduced from their legitimate and proper services
BY being allowed to draw their pay officers OF
he Army, and at the same time allowed to receive
extraordinary under various heads of expenditures,
Is Discussing Officers and Indian Agents, and to
show also, how it is that some of these Discussing
Agents have become connected with certain land
.peculatIons.
ID. Iii. intended to show to the country that
here has been the creation of immense pat
-onage and great waste of the public money by
he number of agents thus employed, and the
arge sum. allowed them under various heads of
expenditure.
Sd. 1t !. also proposed 10 expose another class
If Government spectators connected with this |
branch of the service, especially by the operation
# various combinations for speculation in our
indian reserves. 1t is believed that the Secre-
ary Of War can make disclosures which will 4
how that very large proportion Of the amount
TO and for the Indians, has gone TO
gents, under the head of compensation, subsis,-
,nce .&c,-services which were once performed &
should now be performed for the $1,000 per annum
alary Ten per cent ofhe sums lately paid will
cover the entire expenditures heretofore made
or this service.
Finally. 1t is proposed to bring to light among
he hidden things of the War Department, the
act that there has been kind of petty larceny
,ractised by the Indian department, nominaliy
or the relief Of immediate necessities
In this way Indian grievances arc registered,
heard and adjusted at great distance, and the |
Government often appoints from among the most
devoted partizans of the Admins trasion, Indian
and their suits, with attorney,
l secretary, and other attendants These men |
are despatched from the seat Of Government with |
trifling presents for certain Indian chiefs, and
for the purpose of enquiring into alledged griev-