Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-05-16
REMOVAL OF THE CREEK INDIANS.
$252,673 WANDERED

The Committee of the House on Public Ex..
pendtures in the course of their Investigations
have discovered instances of the most enormous
extravaganza and proligacy in the removal of the
Creek lndans-as in every other branch OF the
Government subject 10 their examinations. In
their report they mention one or two contracts
mnde Ivy agents in that service, which serve to i'll
lusrate the general corruption that pervaded the
whole In 1896, Capt. John Page, on behalf of
the U. >. Government, contracted with the Alaba-
ina Enlgralng Company for the removal OF the
Creek Indians from Alabama to within twenty
miles of Fort Gibson. The whole number to he
removed was 1888 bu, the Government wish
ing TO raise company for the Florida service
greed that the families OF those who would enlist
should remain in Alabama until their return from
Florda. There were 1852 who thus remained,
and were afterwards taken at The direct expense of
Government to Pass Christian. Their expense
thus far was already paid for once but The Emf
grating Company on sending in their account de-
manded npd received pay for the removal of the
whole 1888, for the whole distance and not
satisfied with this double payment they presented
a separate account of $24 for each OF the Indians
because they had removed them from Pass Chris
tan by steamboats, nstead Of wagons, as was slip
uiaed. The Secretary Of War, Mr.. PolnSett at
first refused to pay this additional charge but at
forwards changed his mind and Notwithstanding
the Company had already received 95,532 for
transporting these Indians when they had not in
fact removed them any part of the distance, they
were paid additionally for transporting these same
Indians from Pass Chrison TO the point of desti-
nation the enormous sum of SS2, lS6. The Com
puny was also allowed for extra service SIS, 4S4 H.
which added 10 the other sums and to $469,76S,
the price pad on the first contract, gives the
of S59044O as the sum total.
The Committee have made an estimate of the
necessary expense of removing these Indians in
the way prOposed-by wagons aud atlcl making
4. "A.
and $4,000 Tor contingencies, they declare that
the whole service could have been performed for
$40I 5l7--thus saving SlSs,923; and if there be
added 10 this 500, $50 arising from The sale of The
wagons at half their original cost, il will be seen
that the enormous sum of
S252,e 1913 90
was absolutely thrown away by this spendIhrift
policy and by the bad management OF the Gov
eminent agents. But the Committee make still
farther estimate by which il appears that by an C.
economical employment of steamboats, in eflecting
the removal of these Indians the whole service
might have been performed for the sum Of $lS6,
! $50
These accounts The Committee observe, seem
never to have been subjected to any scrutiny by
those TO whom they were submitted. Whatever
| has been expended-no mntter how exIravaganl
the price paid or however useless the articles pur-
! chased -hus been allowed, and not the slightest
check has been placed upon the will or the profit
gacy oil The contracting or disbursing officer The
| laws are now amply sufficient to remedy this G.
normous cvil-and Congress cannot properly eY
ercse any power over it. The whole responsible.
ity rests with tho President lie alone has the
power OF deIhroning from their disgraced places
OF trust those who thus waste The public money.
A close scrutiny and prompt and full exposure
OF all this waSteful prohgacy the surest means
oil preventing its recurrence.