The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-18
THE RED CLOUD INQUIRY.
SECRETARY DELANO DECLINING TO
QUESTION PROF. MARSH.
No Answer to Make TO the Cbarees OF Fraud
Defending Commissicner smitb-scme-
thing the secretary did not Remember.


thing the secretary did not Remember.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-Secretary Delano
was before the Red Cloud Commission to day.
He said, in response to a question, he remem-
bered though indistinctly, that Mr.. Brunot ex-
pressed to him an opinion In favor OF separa-
tion OF the Indian Bureau fro IN the Interior
Department. Subsequently the President in
formed the Secretary that Mr.. BruDot expressed
such an opinion to him, ,'and the President asked
the Secretary's views as to the proprcty OF
asking legislation 20 that end. This was during
the session OF Congress Of 1873 and 1874, toward
its close. The Secretary informed the President
that he wished the Interior Department to be
relieved OF the Indian Bureau. Some time after
this the President Informed him that Mr..
Brunot, shortly after his yesignation as a mem
ber OF the Indian Commission, saiu ne was IN
error as TO what he had str:s.' IN NJ, .".... =
resignation CONCERNING the Secretary relative TO
the separation Of the Indian Bureau from the
Interior Department. as the Secretary had ex-
pressed his Willingness to have such change
made.
The President OF the board asked the secre-
tary whether he desired 20 PROFOUND any dues-
tions concerning the statements 10 Prof Marsh's
pamphlet. The Secretary SAID he had no desire
to do so. His purpose was to leave this inyesti-
cation, so far as he was concerned, to onlcial ,
Marsh might furnish, and such az the Cvmmis-
sion itself might seek ard obtain.
The secretary, by request, stated the relations
| OF the Indian bureau to the Interior Depart
! ment, aud said, In response to n question, that
| he did not remember that the Board OF Indian
Commissioners ever differed with him In the
| allowance OF accounts on the ground that they
were tainted with fraud. His attention had
| been called TO allegations Of fraud at tho Red
| Cloud Agency, and he had taken steps to pro-
tect the interests Of the Government by appoint
| Ing commissioners to Investigate the charges.
| lie would not fail while he was Secretary to
| take all proper steps to punish all wrongs COM
| mltted within the limits OF his department
| The Secretary was asked whether any me IN
| Der Of the Board OF Indian Commissioners ex-
| pressed a desire for the removal Of MIR. Smith
| Commissioner OF Indian Affairs, and replied
| that a former member OF the board, William
| Welsh, had expressed such desire. This was
| in the fall OF 1873. MIR. Welsh said N the Secre-
| tary should remove Mr.. Smith he would escape
| trouble, and avoid ConRre ssiona Investigation.
| The Secretary Informed Mr.. Welsh that lie could
| not afford to remove oficer In whom he had
| confidence. The Secretary further said to MIR.
| Welsh that II he would make charges against
| Mr.. smith he (the Secretary would appoint q
| committee, to be named by MIR. Welsh, to iDves-
| tigate them, or appoint III. welsh himself as
| such committee. II the report should sustain
tho truth Of the charges tho Secro tsry prom ised
| he would ask the President to remove Mr..
| In the proposition. Subsequently MIR. Welsh
was suggested to him as a proper person to be
| Commissioner OF Indian Affairs, but the Secre-
| tary objected to Mr.. Welsh, owing 70 his indis-
| cretion and want Of adaptation to the place.
| Prof. Marsh said he had no questions to ask
Of the Secretary.
The commission concluded the examination
Of witnesses to-day, and will now proceed to the
| preparati on OF their report.