The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-05-25
from the National Intelligencer.
The Executives UsnrpaaiOn as TO
Endfan A fairs.

A plan is being matured at the War
Department to draw supplies for the In.
dian Bureau from the CommiEsary and
Quartcrmaster' Departments, using the
supply now ON hand in those departments
and thus obyiating the necessity Of max
ing purchases in the open market, except
for such articles as are not to be found
in the Government stores. 1t will be
remembered that President Grant recon-
mcnded the transfer of the Indian Bur
eau to the VI ar Department, but Congress
declined to accede to his request. He
has, however, SO manipulated the Bureau
as virtually to have accomplished his
purpose, have put an army officer at the
head of the Bureau. and secured the as
Isignment of army officers as Indian agents
Nee York Tribune ,-.s.a. -,s5-,
The act of 1884 establishing the Indian
Bureau recites that ''it is competent for
the President to require any military
officer of the United States to execute the
duties Of Indian agent
But the above section is clearly por
ton Of q law giving to the President
power to apply remedial measures in
extraordinary cases, where a civic APP
pointee evidently had not done his duty,
or could not or would not do it. All
the acts of Congress look to appointees
for superintendents and agents, for the
'.term Of years, who should" giTe bond,
&c.
There is not a single clause in any act
that looks to any other general system Of
Indian control than that which has exis-
ted. The designation of any army Off
Ger to execute the duties of Indian agent
was for exceptional and extraordinary
cases. The act of 1884 does not recit6
that it is competent for the President
to discontinue at will the system of In
dian control by men appointed by him,
whom the Senate shall confirm in their,
appointments, and who shall give bonds,
DC. The words of the act simply make
ait competent for him to require any
military officer of the United States to
execute the duties of Indian agent" J"
If it was intended by Congress to confer
upon the President the power to do away
with the civic system Of control that has
now existed for near two generations, it
!. would not have used the words any,"
Zone, not all, nor military officer"
one officers, nor Indian agents, one,
not all agents
Subsequent acts relating to duties of
military officers in performing service on
Government account among the Indians,
, under requirements of law, provide thai
they shall receive compensation only for
travelling expenses. 81
That the act of the Executive is usur.
; patton is clear not only from the want
! of intention, spirit, and meaning of the
law of1S34. other than to meet indicated
cases of an extraordinary character
but from the startling and staring fact
that Congress has positively and emphat
ically repudiated the transferring of the
: control of tie Indians to the army. That
sort of action, repeated over and over
again, is a notice of the President o.
what is their Interpretation ofall the laws
/, relating to Indian affairs, which reeog
I. . nizc generally nothing but civic control
! AND not that which looks under any cir
cumstances to changing the system pro
vided by law by its transfer to the army
Congress has declared against army con
: troll ofthe Indians. The paragraph W,
: quote above from the Tribune feebly con
y demns the President for what is in reali
: ty subject matter for impeachment.
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