New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-19
PREM4TIRE UEEENNE.

We do Secretary DelanO the justice to say
that since his unfortunate letter to Gen. Fisk
about the Reports Put in Circulation by Mr..
Marsh he has had the good sense to hold his
tongue. He cannot help the Indian Ring by
rushing to their defense, and he cannot mend
his own reputation by attempting to forestall
the possible results of the promised investiga
ton. He knows that there is nothing for him
to do but to wait and keep still. Indian
Commissioner Smith is not so wise.
He protests that If there are any
frauds in the service he is the very
man of all men to put an end to them. Only
show me a thief, he cries, and it will do your
heart good just to see me go for him. But
meantime Mr.. Smith is prOfusc in the defense
of the inculpated agents and contractors and
every word he utters i'll their favor is blum
der Prof. Marsh pointed out to the Prcsi-
dent several instances i'll which the Commas
si0ner volunteered u defense which turned out
to be entirely false, and i'll one case he was
detected debating to the Agent OF the Asso-
ciated Press an account of an alleged CONVEX
sation between himself and Red Cloud, which
never took place.
Now Commissioner Smith tries again. 1t is
against Agent Saville were made to the De-
partmont eighteen months ago, he caused them
to be Investigated by Bishop Hare, the Rev.
5. u. Iinman, United States Indian Inspector
j. ID. Beyier, and Mr.. +. ii. Smith of the In
dian Board, and thew report was complete
generation of DR.. Savillc. Well, Prof. Marsh
tells lis that this same Inspector Beyier, in IN
official report to the Interior Department so
lately as last October, "cxposcd fraudulent
contract made privately by Agent Saville with
CHS father-in- law, A. r. Appleton, by which
"the Government would have been largely
closer. Inspector Beyier states moreover that
"wlrile investigating this contract, Agent
"Saville made false representations to him,
"and Mr.. Appleton endeavored to bride him
"to silcncer So Mr.. Smith is convicted by
his own witnesses.
If Mr. Smith and Mr. DelanO and the rest
of the Interior Department would be quiet and
let this investigation alone, it would be much
more satisfactory to the public, and perhaps
in the long run better for themselves. 1t is
not their place to make excuses for the agents
and contractors, and it certainly is not their
place to direct the inquiry. Their very first
step in the matter, referring the appoint
mcnt of the Committee TO the Board
of Indian Commissioners, three Of
whom are explicitly charged by Prof Marsh
with responsibility for the abuses to be ex-
amincd, was conclusive proof of their unfit
ness for such a task. This business ought to
be conducted under the personal superintend-
ence of the President. 1t is his duty to see
that the executive departments are honestly
administered, and he cannot fulfill that duty
by allowing the Secretary of the Interior to
investigate his own conduct. The committee
appointed by Mr. Delano commands nObody's
confidence. 1t may be composed of good men,
but they are not men whom the general pub
lie knows to be good, or whose judgment it
will fully trust. 1t is better for Gen. Grant
TO reform the Indian service himself than to