The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-20

Not the Guardian of the Poor, but the
Commissioner OF India. Anatrs-How
He Broke Faith with the Pentsylvania
Railroad.
The Indian Peace Commissioners are not
satisfied with the conduct of Indian Commis-
sioner Parker who stands charged bv Con-
gressional committee with general incompe-
tency. But other matters have been brought to
light which discover more than incompetency
in the management of Indian affairs by Mr..
Parker, and arraign him for having broken faith
with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Ia
our issue of yesterday was this message from
Washington
'More trouble between the Indian Peace Com
missioners and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
1t appears the latter opposed the giving OF transpor
the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. the New York
and Erie Offering to transport for less, at saving OF
To learn the details of this trouble one of our
reporters called upon one of the most promi-
nent of the Indian Peace Commissioners, resid-
ing in this city, and this was the conversation
that ensued:-
Reporter-"will you have the kindness to read that
telegram IA copy of the one printed a0ove), and
plain what this new trouble ISL"
/. P. C.-"With pleasure" aud after reading
"Ohl it is altogether matter OF broken faith the
part OF Mr.. Parker"
Reporter-"In what respect?"
| l. p. C.-You will remember that in the month Of
| May the commissioners advertised for a great
amount OF supplies for the Indians, such clothing
| coffee, etc. At the same time they advertised for
proposals. for carrying these supplies to the various
points Of destination in the West. Three concerns
responded to this advertisement and sent in their
bids at time and place where not only all the In-
dian Peace Commissioners, but Commissioner OF In-
dian Affairs Parker was present"
Reporter-"And these roads were?"
]. p. C,-"The New York Central the Erie, aud
| the Pennsylvania. When the bids were opened 1t
was discovered that the Pennsylvania Company was
the lowest by far they Offering to carry the freight
| for something like per cent"
Rep0rter-"What then was done?"
| i. Z. C.-"The commissioners one and all agreed
that the contract should be awarded to the Pennsy
vania Central Road, and they dispersed with that
Reporter-'fWas the contract made out?"
l. p. P.C.-"Now we are coming to the trouble.
Some time after this about month, the Peace Com
| Pennsylvania Railroad Company that the contract
had never been executed, and inquiring into the
reason. An investigation was at once made, and
revealed the rather surprising fact that Mr.. Com
missioner Parker had, Notwithstanding the award to
the Pennsylvania Company, made private contract
with the Erie road at about one-haf OF one per cent
below the rates of the former on the hundred
weight and upon that contract the supplies are
Reporter-"And the Pennsylvania Road, though
entitled to the contract never transported any Of
LP. C.-"None The telegram conveys wrong
impression. The Pennsylvania Company refused
in the first place, to bid for the transportation of
goods. unless it became matter of comoetition
with the main roads. The three roads responded
and Its bid was the lowest, and, according to law
and usage, it should have had the contract as Mr.
Parker at that time agreed"
Reporler-"Then Mr. Parker has been guilty of
LP. C.-"Yes, sir: and man that will break his
faith under such circumstances lays himself open
to the suspicion that he will be guilty of the
offense in Others While it ostensiby appears that
by his contract with the Erie Road the Government
will save S6000 1t Is 30 easy and customary thing
to charge overweight that the Government will be
far from gaming anything"
Reporter-"In what opinion is Mr.. Parker held by
the authorities at Washington?"
/. P. CT can only answer that by referring you
to these words of the Committee on Appropriations
of Congress, which was instructed to investigate
into the Indian Affairs Department:-'To the mind
Of the committee, the testimony shows irregular-
stances, departure from the express provisions Of
the law for the regulation OF Indian expenditures,
and in the management Of affairs in the Indian De-
partment.'"
| Thus ended the interview.