New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-08
THE LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

The LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONERS
WASHINGTON, June THE Board of Indian Com
lnissioners have addressed the following letter to
the President:
DEAR sIR The undersigned, the remaining members
of the Board Of Indian Commissioners originally APP
pointed by you under OF Congress approved April TO-
1862 respectfully the Office have held under
that appointment. We take this step without
expressing appreciation Of the high motives
which have actuated you in the line Of the policy
for the treatment Of the Indian tribes
Dounced in your inaugural address; your
faithful, persistent adherence TO that policy
through much opposition and IN spite of many Obstacles
the time thanking you for your ready and
cordial sympathy with the efforts OF this Board TO pro-
policy and for the kindly personal consdera
which always marked intercourse with Its
Your policy has attained, by its success and
the manifest righteousness OF its foundation principle,
position in the judgment of the rgbt-minded people of
the country which IL hoped cannot fail TO render 1t
permanent; nor can the evil deeds Of individuals
or small parties of savagcs the necessity which
may arise 10 punish them, condemn the humane and
just treatment Of the Indians generally, save In the
minds OF those who account OF hatred greed de-
whatever interfere with their schemes
IL not claimed that honesty and right dealing have
secured throughout all the ramifcations OF the
Indian service but many corrupt practices have been
corrected, and enough has been accomplished TO demon
strate that vita proper organization it is possible to
least great degree OF honesty in Indian
affairs as in any other department Of the Government
Some of the points where reformation is still needed
indicated in the last annual report OF the Board.
We regret that it is not deemed expedient by tho
Honorable the Of the interior 10 urge upon
Congress the legislation recommend, which would
make Indian Bureau independent of the Interior De-
parment, with officer Of nigh ability at its head.
This consider Of great importance for the
perfection, well the perpetuation of the Peace
Policy and its economic reforms, and are glad to
Hpox IF xrifl we'd 10 nOf
deem it necessary to present all the reasons
which have decided us TO resign, we may
say that, should Congress continue the Board
Of Indian Commissioners as indicated in the
Indian Appropriation bill which has already passed the
House Of Representatives, viz, with all the duties i'm
posed by existing laws and requiring in regard to
animation OF accounts, contracts and vouchers that
"all such examinations and duties shall hereafter be
performed the City Of Washington" could not
cept the duty first because under the existing laws
the overruing the decisions OF the Board by the In
terror Department would frequently render the
labor Of examining and deciding upon the
accounts and vouchers useless 1t
g arduous and vexatOus and second, because
none Of can remove 10 Washington TO perform the
duty. Experience has shown that Board Of Indian
Commissioners clothed with proper authority and act
ing cooperation with the Department of the Interior
but not under it's direction or coptrol can hardly main
tain harmonious relations with that Department. On
the other hand. Board constituted and under the
influence control OF the Interior or Indian Depart
ment would be comparatively useless appendage to
the service. ---S '"s'-~.-'--ry--;sE 81
Helei@ .ag our entire confidence In the Wisdom and
Justice OF the Peace Policy, our conviction OF the
capacity OF the Indians receive all the civilization
necessary welfare aud safety OF frontier settle
mens and all the Characterization Deedfu 70 their saliva
ton, we express satisfaction with the
progress which many Of them have made in this direc
ton and our regrets the necessity which terminates
our official connection with the service. Very respect
fully your obedent servants
FELIX X. BRUSOT, ROBERT CAMPBELL,
NATHAN BISHOP, VIM. E. DODGE.
Jous v FARwEIL. GEO Ii. STUART.