New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-22
THE INDIAN INVESIIG4TION.
WORK OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION IN THIS
CITY FINISHED.


ENUMERATION or TIE INSPECTORS APPOINTED BY
THE BOARD OF INDIAN CoMMTssIoNERs-sAM-
PIES OF THE SUPPLIES PRODUCED-EXTENsiON
or THE POWERS OF The COMMISSION-SEvERAL
INDIAN AGENCIES TO BE vIsITED-FRoM FIFTY
TO sEvENTY-FIvE WITNESSES EXPECTED-DE-
TERMINATION EXPRESSED BY COMMISSIONERS TO
MAKE THE WORK THOROUGH.
The Special Commission which is engaged IN in
vestigatng the charges of Prof. Marsh resumed Its
session at 10 a. IN. yesterday at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel Caleb b. Knevas of No. 122 East Thirty
sixth-st., inspector of sugar. Thomas I. Barr OF
Howell Barr Il Co. of No. II Waterst, inspector OF
coffee; William a. Robinson of No. 122 Water
st and Aaron i. Wilcox Of No. 3f7 Fifth-ave.,
inspector of blankets and dry goods, were examined
These inspectors were appointed by the Commits
sioncr of Indian Affairs to inspect the samples fur
nshed of the various articles he bought by the Com
mssioners ana to select according to the accompany
ing bids those which were best adapted TO the
wants of the Indians II then their dnty TO see
that all the goods supplied equal in quality 10
the samples and to forward the goods 10 the differ
ent Indian Agencies.
The original samples of coffee were furnished to
the Commission, and samples of the sugar and to-
bacco which were forwarded to the Indians
were also provided. No sample of the blankets
was produced; it was admitted that
while the blankets were equal IN quality
to the sample they did not correspond in weights the
deficiency was made upb discOunting from the con-
tract. Most of the goods purchased in Eastern
cities The blankets and sugar were bought in Phil
adelphia, and the coffee and tobacco i'll New York
member of Commission said that the eNaniir'a-
ton sustained the precautionary measures adopted
by the Government in order to prevent fraud or de-
ception.
The examination of these witnesses being con-
cluded last evening the work of the Commission III
New-York was finished. They will leave this city
this evening by the Pennsylvania Railroad. They
20 first to Omaha and then to Cheyenne, Fort Lara
ME the Red ClOud Agency, the Spotted Tail
Agency, and if necessary to other Indian Agencies.
The powers of the Commission have been extended,
and they will take into consideration the entire
question of frauds in the Indian Department.
ANuCIpArIONs OF THE COMMISSIONS CHAIRMAN.
Ex-Gov. Fletcher, the Chairman of the Comins-
SION said las, night that they would probably begin
the examination of witnesses If the Red Cloud
Agency and then proceed eastward. They would
snare no rains to reach the facts no matter ii the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of
the Interior involved i'll the frauds. 1t might
be necessary for the members of the Commission to
visit Denver and examine witnesses there; and a.
ncrsons living near the Indian Agencies more
or less nomadic much time might be consumed in
waiting for hcrcturn of Important witnesses to Their
homes. He therefore, could give no definite estimate
of the time which would he consumed in the investi-
cation. The number of witnesses that Prof. Marsh
had given to the Commission was not more than IL
or 10 but from private information which had been
received probably from 30 TO 20 persons would be
called upon to testify Ex-GoyS Fletcher said that
as he was Western man, he had considerable
KNOWLEDGE Of the class Of persons they would
meet He also knew the peculiarltes Of the
Indians, and was acquainted with the size
of the cattle which furnished to them
and the way in which the herds were raised ana
transported TO the different Agencies. lie was conn.,
dent that there no fraud in the filling of the
contracts in the East the supplies which were Tor
warded were stamped by the inspectors, and if 9TH
ers were substituted on the journey, or the original
articles failed Of delivery, the Commission would as
certain those facts and place the blame where 1t be-
longed
Mr. FAtLKNER's POSITION.
A reporter of THE TRIBUNE had conversation
yesterday with Congressman Charles }. Faulkner OF
West Virginia. a member of the Commission. speak
ing of the manner in which the Commissioners were
appointed, Mr.. Faulkner said that his selection as
member of the Commission entirely
unexpected by him. He had accepted
the duty most reluctantly, and solely
upon the ground that he did not feel himself al
liberty TO decline any service which might result in
benefit TO the country. he Administration knew
what his position i'll politics was, and was wellawarc
that il could expect no partial report from him.
Justice it had q right to expect and Justice 1t should
have. His instructions were definite ant satlsiac-
tory. The Commissioners were to ferret out and
expose fraud corruption and abuse III every form III
the inquiry. lie would express no opinion as to the
truth of Prof Marshs charges concerning the con-
duet of Slvlle at the Red Cloud Agency, nor would
he speak of the alleged completely of the Secretary
OF the Interior and Of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs in the frauds and mismanagement which
Prof. Marsh had charged.
These points were now under examination and
Mr.. Faulkner would his opinion until the
evidence was completed. But he had long believed
that there were few of the Indian Agencies III the
West in which wrong was not practiced upon both
the Government and the Indians. These Agencies
were far removed from executive supervision
loose system of distribution had prevailed; the con-
tracts for the supply of provisions and annuity
goods were large, and could be made to yield large
profits the Indians were ignorant and helpless the
temptations to fraud were great and an Indian
Ring had sought by artful and powerful
bnations to control the business of that remote
region that the wises precautions of the Govern
ment might prove unavang to protect itself and
the Indians from wrong and injustice. Mr. Faux
said that he had not projudged the facts III the
case or the persons whose conduct the subject of
inquiry, but he felt that the country demanded a
thorough investigation into the system and practice
OF Indian supplies lie prepared to undergo
any Labor wuieh might lead to satisfactory con-
clusion.
GREAT SWIMMING MATCH AT PHILADELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA, July 21.-TO-morrow will he