New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-23
THE INDIAN PEACE COMMISSION.
PROPOSALS FOR FURNISHING SUPPLIES.

Of the nine members of the Indian Peace
Commission which was summoned to meet in this city
on Monday last only five yet present. The holding
Of any formal sessions has been postponed till the AZ
rival of the Chairman OF the Board of Commissioners.
Felix E. Bruuot Pittsburgh, who has been detained
bv the death Of his mother but is expected this morning
or the other members OF the Commission, D. Long Of
Vassaboro Maine kept away by sickness, = Tobey
Of Boston cannot come on account OF the
illness Of daughter, while NJ G. Tier
ney OF CrcIeville, Ohio, is kept away by some un-
explained The rest Of the Commissioners, five in
number George H. Stuart Of Philadelphia Robert Camp
bell Of St. Louis, ]. " Farwel Of Chicago william L.
Dodge and Walton Bishop Of this city, with T. X Cree
Secretary yesterday in No. 4b at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel. The Indian Peace Commission acts as
m advisory board to the President and Secretary
Of the Interior with regard to the Indian policy.
The present series OF meetings is held in New
York as the most convenient place for the an
nual reception Of proposals and the giving OF
goods for the yearly supplies be furnished the Indian
Department This business will require something over
a week Other matters will be the appointment of com
mttees to visit Indian tribes be designated
Inv the Secretary the Interior and 20
municatOns from tho Secretary or from Commissioner
T.. r. Smith, who IS now IN conference with the Peace
Commissioners No special action IN the way OF modify
ing the peace policy pursued toward the Indians IS
contemplated so far a. can he ascertalned, and tho
Commission will probably maintain the tenor Of ts
course, undsturbed by any clamor that tho MOdoc
The Purchasing Committee, composed OF George II.
Stuart Chairman, with ROrcrt Campbell w. f. Dodge,
and j. " Farwell, was very busy yesterday with the
consideration OfprOpOals for Indian supplies Propo-
sails blankets cloth dry goods in general boots,
Shoes hats and hardware taken and the assign
ment Of awards will be begun to-day. The number aud
amount largely exceeded those Of preceding
years and different bidders noted yesterday,
whereas not many years ago there were only two or
three competitors annually The increase Is attributed
by MT Stuart the fact that there Is fair open
method OF competition Bidders submit Their
samples, and these tested In New-YOrk,
without chance for unfair discrimination, whereas
formerly propOsers were obliged TO bid against samples
at Washington. The chairman OF the Purchasing Com
mtee observed that In the present system there
chance for a ring The offers read yesterday amounted
IN the aggre gate to s2OOca0OO while the depart
ment only called for 100000. IL was to be remarked
also that the bids were not only uDprece-
dentedy numerous but al6G unusually large.
Almost all Of tho proposals were for the whole
amount in each lihe Of goods needed by the
department. Tie leading houses sent Ia proposals
while rds for furnishing blankets came from such
widely diverse Massachusetts, Minnesota,
San francesca. St. LOus Philadelphia other places,
well New York. The proposals for supplying beef,
bacon, SALT tobacco, etc, will be taken up next
Tuesday. Leading grazieTs from the extreme west
expected and the velest interest IS already shown.
Tne awards ~ be made next week will amount 10 about
II