New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-30
THE INDIANS.
MR.. WELSH DEFINES HIS POSITION

MR. WELSH DEFINES HIS POSITION a
NOTICE OF THE REV. GEORGE wHIPPLE's CARD.
70 me Bditor Of rhe Trtb"~e III N
Sir: NV friend, the Rev. George Whipple, kindly
sent 70 me a copy of his card. after he had printed
IL in THE TRIBUNE of the Goth inst. I wrote to him
that he was safe. as reply to personal AZ
sanlts The most kindly consi deratioh should ever
he shown to the clerical head of an Office, when de-
Tending even bindy. those who have been sent into
positions Of peculiar temptation. fla thorough re-
form in the Indian service can be produced. will,
like the suvl he passive II not rngingly joyous
under the hammering of friends and foes.
From the following correspondence you will
perceive my willingness to testify be-
fore any Commission empowered to nnearth
frauds and develop truth. The Commission
under consideration, is no doubt composed OF men
personally unobjectionable yet with sympathies so
strong for the accused and his upholders as to re-
ouire superbuman power TO restrain the undue play
of their svmpathies They must render verdict OF
mt yniltv az they had not the testimony OF the
prosecutors but only that of the defendant. One OF
the witnesses summoned by the accused has sent to
me y sworn affidavit that he paid 1920 to Agent
Smiths intimate friend and co-worker, to inform
him of the lowest bid that would contract
for pine timber belonging to Indians, The contract
was thus secured. and this witDess says he would
have told all to the Commission had there been any
evidence of a desire to know more than one side.
MY friend Whippe anticipates that the Commission
will consider 81 IS per NJ for pine timber fair price
under the circumstances; and he is probably right
as when stolen from Indians. there should be an
abatement of one or two hundred per cent from the
fair market value Of timber honestly purchased.
Philadelphia, Jan. % 1874. WIN. WELSH
Nix. n. j. TURNKEY Chairman.
DEAR SIR: Your telegram asking my presence BEFORE
the Commission appointed to Investigate certain charges
against l.. p. Smith when acting as Indian Agent was
received this afternoon. You we'll know that the Com
mission was raised to investigate charges MADE by
me- as al that time / did not contemplate making
the charges think that the Commission placed itself
iu a false position when 1t proceeded to consider my
letter my attorney had assigned sufficient reasons
for refusing TO conduct the unless arrangements
were enforce the attendance OF Witnesses Inc
attorney for the appreciated the delicscy OF his
position and of yours, by suggesting his Withdrawal
from the case do purpose to vary from the posi-
ton took In my letter the President copy OF which
IL herewith. 1t is true that have in my possession
evidence that IL placed before yon will obige you 10
erminate Agent Smith. but under the circumstances
am not willing to make HIM the scapeeoat over whom
others far guilty may secretly confess their
sins Whenever the Investigation OF the whole case
is made by those who authorized to condemn
the men who lured Mr.. Smith on to his ruin. will
promptly attend and produce in my possession
The Commissioners know the market value OF pine um-
DER on Mississippi aud its tributaries therefore on
this head could not enlighten them by my presence
You also know that there law authorizing the sale
OF great tracts Of pine timber Indian reservations,
and that Congress likely to enact law authorlz
ing such sales the consent Of the owners OF the
soil
Please assure your colleagues that my unwillingness
testify before them not owing to any personal dis
respect for them individually. Yours very Respectfully
Philadelphia, Jan. q. 1874. VIM. WELSH
The above the answer TO the following telegram;
JANUARY 81, 1874
To WILLIAM WELSH, 112l SprKesst, Philadelphia: The
COMMISSION appointed Investigate certain charges
against Edward Z. Smith desire to take your testimony
and would be greatly obliged If you could make ~ con
yenient meet at the Ebbit House In washington
during the present week Answer.
n. j. TURNEY, Chairman, Ebbit House.
N,ssrs I. c. JONES and JAMES SMITH, jr.
DEAR sIRs: After conference with my attorney, l am
constrained reply substantially did TO in per-
sou this morning at my residence will furnish you
power TO compel their attendance, and then L will
promptly attend with all the papers in my possession
of the witnesses 1t would DO improper to ask to
attend. they would most likely lose their official posi-
tons bur- II compelled to testify 70 the TRUTH such
EVIL would result FROM When teegraphed you at
~. Paul that the Federal Court, through Inspector
Daniels. would compel the attendance OF witnesses.
your Mr. james Smith, jr, under date OF Dee. Is, sd
vised Inc that compulsory power was not necessary,
thus Witnesses have tesuhed willingly, and YOU
suppose examination has not been full and will not
be exhaustive. you are very much mistaken" In this
regret 10 differ, and consider your Commission IN
competent to develop the facts in the case Yours sin
Ccrey. VIM WELSH
PARadeiphia, Jan, 20, 1874