New-York tribune., 1874-12-17

ANOTHER FIELD FOR INFESIIGAIION.
For three years THE TRIBUNE has been en-
deavoring, in season and out Of season, to
promote an investigation of the Pacific Mail
Subsidy 1t has constantly assured Congress
that the subject demanded, and would reward,
attention; and it imagines that, by this time,
Congress is thoroughly convinced of the fact.
Now that that investigation is fairly under
way, and cannot well be chOked of, we venture
to suggest another interesting field of inquiry.
The report comes from Washington that the
Committee on Appropriations has recon-
mended the abolition of the Board of Indian
Commissioners, and the return of the unex-
pended balance of funds placed at their dis
posal to the Treasury. In view Of the present
condition of the Board the recommendation is
wise one. The latter part of it is, however,
likely to prove entirely superfluous, for if the
Interior Department shows no moro moral
strength than it has for four years past the
patriots who attend to the expenditure of the
funds will see to it that there is no unex-
pended balance, even if they have to put it
into their own pockets to save it.
Before the present session of Congress closes
there ought to be thorough investigation of
the Interior Department management OF this
Indian business, conducted by men who are
determined to go to the bottom of it. The
members of the Board Of Commissioners who
resigned in body few months ago can give
some very interesting testimony. They were
ready to do it when q pretense of an investi-
CATION was made several months ago, but the
jealous Committee were very careful not to
ask them any questions which would lead to
disagreeable revelations. The Interior Depart
menthas exerted every possible effort to cover up
all irregularities. That there has been enormous
robbery by contractors and traders is nOtori-
GUS. To suppose the Secretary OF the Interior
has been ignorant of it all, is to charge him
with the grOssest incompetency. Admitting
that he has been aware OF it, and has per-
mitted 1t, although not sharing in any of its
gains, is to get at once at the groundwork of
all the trouble, his deplorable moral weakness
and inability to withstand the pressure brought
against him by unscrupulous politicians.
We desire to suggest few cases where an
honest investigation would undoubtedly prove
fruitful. Commissioner of Indian affairs
Smith receives a salary of $4,000 year. He
has said in the presence Of several wit
nesses. all of unquestioned veracity, that it
costs him $3.50 month more to live than he
receives salary. Where does he get his
money! Secretary Delano is in like unfor
tunate condition. He told the late Board of
Commissioners that he was worth 100000
when he became Secretary, and that he had
lost $250OO in four years through his de-
votion to public affairs. But how much
was his son, who is a nominal clerk in
the Department, worth four years ago, and
how much is he worth nowf Is there any
truth in a remark of one Of the late Board of
Commissioners. that tho father has shaken
"the tree and the son has picked up the
"applesl" These are not all the patriots who
are serving the country at pecunary loss.
The new Board OF Commissioners, filled up
Largely By the Secretary Of the Interior with
men who will not hinder the corruption busi-
ness by Inconvenient curiosity, has
Secretary who resigned a position with
salary of 5000 a year to accept his
present one at only 5000. Such unusual
disregard of the pecuniary compensation is,
in place of that sort and with the tempta
tiOns that besct the incumbent, open to
suspicious. There are many Othor interesting