The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-10-19


. new Red Cloud Agency, the Commission
ers say they can regard the account in no
other light than as an iniquitOus fraud,
But add that it might be unjust to con-
demn the late Secretary for his payments
as there is no assurance that the certiti-
cate OF the former agent, j. W. Daniels,
accompanied by the vouchers Of MCCann,
with reference to the charge Of the Off.
cial delinquency, and the ConCealment Of
the fraud. The Commissioners learned OF
but three occasions when the atten-
tion Of the head Of the department was
called to existence Of the abuses and
frauds at the Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail agencies. The first instance was
that Of the presentation OF the reports OF
Messrs. Kemble and Alvord, which was
put before the Interior Department on
the first Of July, 1874, and which limits
its exposure to the Spotted Tail agency.
THE IRREGULARITIES AND CORRUPTION
which were found growing out OF Agent
Risley's Encouragement led to the re.
commendation Of Especial investigation
Of his accounts outstanding, vouchers
and certificates. They also exposed the
fraudulent character Of the Graves trans
portatiOn contract. In accordance with
this recommendation ]. W, Daniels was
deputed to make special investigation at
the Spotted Tail agency. Mr.. Aiy0rd
finds fault with the Secretary Of the In
terror for having entrusted that investi-
CATION to Mr.. Daniels, he having just
ceased To be agent at Red Cloud
and could not have exposed in
detail the Irregularities and cor
ruptions OF his neighbor without
duplicating himself. The Commission
cannot concur In the force Of this Obiec.
tion. They find that Mr.. Daniels has
long held important trusts in connection
with Indian affairs without 80 far, 1t ap'
pears, any assault upon his character,
Mr.. Daniels reported that after full in.
vestigation he did not find that there had
been any more supplies rSCeipted for than
were received and issued to the lodges, us
numbered by the Indians themselves. lie
confirmed.
THE FRAUDULENT CHARACTER
OF the Graves contract, which has nc.
Cordingly been repudiated by the Depart.
ment. The occasion was on the report Of
Samuel Walker, who was sent by the
Board Of Indian Commissioners to inves-
tigate affairs at the Red Cloud and Spot.
ted Tail agencies. This report was
highly uniayorable, and as soon as the
Secretary received a copy Of II he mp.
pointed The Bishop Hare Commission to
thoroughly investigate the facts en-.
braced in the special report which had
been made by Mr.. Walker. After more
than months investigation they made
an elaborate. report exonerating agents Sa.
vile and Howard from the charges Of
fraud, and declaring the administration
Of their respective agencies deserving OF
commentator.
There does not appear before the Com
mission in any OF the transactions above
referred to and which occurred prior to
the personal interview OF Prof. Marsh
with the Secretary Of the Interior, any
evidence that this officer had been
long aware Of the abuses Of the
Indian agencies without making
any sincere effort to investigate
and reform them. In the third place the
Commission came to the imputation to
the want Of public zeal manifested by the
Secretary Of the Interior in relation to
the abuses and frauds which Prof. Marsh
sought to impress upon him. In dispos-
ing Of this delicate branch OF the investi-
CATION they point to the accounts given by
both gentlemen respecting the review, but
draw no conclusion. In his account the
Secretary says he earnestly requested the
Professor to furnish him with such infor.
nation as he had, and with all the
proofs that he could prefer against
the agent at Red Cloud, which
however, Prof. Marsh declined to do.
The interview took place in the SecrGta.
ry's Office at his request. Prof. Marsh on
his part says lie told the Secretary dis.
timely that II the investigating commit.
tee was appointed he would give the com.
mittee the specific information in his
possession, but on thinking II over he
concluded he must keep the information
to himself until after the committee was
appointed.
The Commission report that they hive
seen nothing in the course Of their inves-
tigation that would lead to any other
conviction than that the present Com.
missioner
EARNESTLY AND SINCERELY
desired 10 perform his duty faithfully 10
his country. They have encountered no
transaction which casts the least shadow
on his personal or official integrity. 1t
met with many marks Of that want OF Wig
ilance, astuteness, and decision Of CharaC.
ter which should belong to the head Of
that important Bureau. They think II
was incxcusable TO permit so long
period to elapse without aScer.
tanning the precise distance between
the railroad and the agencies, especially
as contracts for freight in the West were
upon an agreed compensation. II was an
error to let AT New York these contracts
for wagon transportation; also TO pny
McCann the full amount OF his transport
tatiOn claims while the distance was In
dispute, relying on new contract to cover
any possible losses to the government;
also to authorize Mr.. Saville to select an
inspector Of flour at Cheyenne; also to
supply bacon 10 the Indians instead Of
pork, ns the furnishing OF pork involves
The needless cost OF transporting the
barrels, whicl, form one.Ihird Of the Ell.
tire weight.
The Commission find, however, that
there has been an Improvement in the
Indian service under Commissioner
Smiths administration. Contracts are
now more faithfully executed, and the re.
cent supplies have been OF an nhexcep-
tional character. The temper Of the III.
dians has undergone very favorable
change toward our people. The iron
band Of tribal sovereignty Is rapidly
weakening, and the day has gone by
when q formidable Indian war can ever
again occurin this country.
The Commission offer some general
observations on the result Of their retlec.
tion on Indian affairs. They believe the
time has come when the policy fore.
shadowedby the recent, act Of Congress
against further treaties with the Indians,
should be figidly enforced. The Indians
should be treated rs individual inhabi-
tants Of the Republic and that absurd
fiction Of tribal sovereignty be abolished.
The Commission expresses great salts.