The New York herald., 1875-08-16
THE INDIAN DEPARTMENT.
Third Letter Of Ex-Commissioner
William Welsh.
Why Charges Against Officials Were Never
Proven Nor DiSprOVUd.
MUNCHAUSENISM IN REPORTS


officials Of the Indian Bureau of the Interior Depart
ment The following letter to Professor O. c. Marsh of
Yale College, is very interesting for it shows just why
all the invest cations Of charges made against employees
OF the Indian Department have failed There is a vein
OF satiric humor in the closing paragraphs Yet that
also dscoses something 10 tho practices Of the In
dian Department with reference persons who have
revealed the corrupt ways of its officials 1t is the eas
est thing in the world for a who has been hypo-
critic all his life when he is finally exposed to be
dre to point to his record saying that his accuser must
be insane, and then calmly rest if dsdainng to dis
prove the accusations officials Of the Indian Department
have apparently acted the kind of hypocres
and the department has upheld them Yet the people
would not believe in them, and they will not be per-
mitted to rest in calm disdanfuness The end is
ing and their paths to the outer world and away from
the department being made by the HERALD Mr.
Welsh and Professor Marsh:--
In accordance with my promise, will give you
commissions raised by Secretary Delano l under
stand them after close observation and careful
sderaon The Secretary of the Interior has no power
conferred him by Congress, Of which 1 am aware,
to appoint investigating commissioners; therefore
he can confer no powers on others, but he has
appropriations. The friends OF Secretary Deano
who have confidence IN him naturally suppose
that commissioners selected TO ferret out frauds
if none such exist to remove suspicion from innocent
parties do not believe that the friends of Secretary
tam the Secretary OF the Interior cennVes at frauds
is in still greater degree partaker in the sins Of
the delaulters Those who have not confidence in Sec
retary Deano and lrmy believe that he has long known
Of frauds systematically practised the government
and its helpless wards cannot suppose that commis
soners are selected with the hope expectation that
they will expose frauds known to the Secretary of the
Interior reveal TO the public any evidence Of the Sec
retary's guilt. Secretary Delano's Investigating Com
missioners not having the power to compel the attend
ance Of witnesses, only examine such
brought to them by parties interested in the prosecu-
Ag n 10 has aver hppu
willing TO waste his time before such commission, the
witnesses almost invariably those produced by per-
Interested in concealng frauds The commissioners
having no powerto administer oaths punish perurerS,
if false swearing in such a case be perjury,
to compel witness to tell all that he knows,
answer when crossexamlned sharply, testimony taken
under such circumstances Is usually a mere blind. AS
these investigations usually held in the midst Of
lawless community and as voluntary witness for the
prosecution usually threatened and lays himself open
to charge Of malice few men Of responsibility are
wiling 10 volunteer Such commissioners usually nave
no funds TO pay the travelling expenses and per diem
allowance for Witnesses but the ring is liberal to such
If the commissioners felt authorized TO 20 out sepa-
ratey detectives they could accomplish much good
but there is usually the commission judge
lawyer, or some other exact person, to remind them
that their duties are semudicia No attorney is
employed to conduct the prosecution, although the De-
commissioners allow the accused TO appear and to
have counsel, therefore the most honorable commits
sioners usually compelled to unite III the report
''not provenn Before the award is announced the IL
dngs start from the Interior Department and fly through
the land that the accusers have been completely routed
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS By THE DELANo coMAls-
This would be chapter Of deep interest and in
struction If had the heart to reveal what know of
commissions TO ascertain how the Indians pine timber
lands could be secured, to discover halibreed Indian
scrip, excursions by Assistant Secretary Cowan Mr.
john L. Delano and other members of the family and
Of Congress- and Of certain members of the board Of
unpaid commissioners, &c. viii pass all this as
its Illuminating recital might seem like personal anmos
lty desire TO conine myself exclusively 10 prOmi-
nent official acts will give the result of special
commission, composed of Messrs. Kemble and Alvord,
appointed May H. 1873 to visit the Spotted TAN Agency
brought to and others Of frauds in cattle at that
agency l will quote from the Official report an exnct
copy of which is before 1t is dated
BED Cloud Agency, Wyoming Territory, June
l6 1873, and is signed by Edward C. Kembfo
and Henry +. Alvord, special commissioners: -
with reference to the specific charges issued
at the Milestone Agency THAT is, Spotted Ta's,
report can be now rendered chiefly because the late
agent, together with his only clerical assistant sue
ceeded in leaving the place just prior to the visit of the
commissioners removing all documentary evidence
as to the business transactions at that agency prior
the present month, and leaving class OF employees
so unprncpied IN character and evidently in
terested themselves IN the late operations there
that no reliability could be placed any
ment made by them. In general terms, however,
your commissioners express their opinion that the
indefinite charges of rrcgularity in the Indian
service in this region, and especially the leakage in
beef referred to by Mr.. William Welsh result from
the state of affairs at the Milestone Agency The
quantity of beef actually received by the Milestone
agent during the past year unquestionaby greatly
less than that recepted for to the contractor; the
really delivered the Indians less than
appeared upon the provision returns and the Indians
of the true number In brief while unable for
want Of specific data TO make detailed report tho
point specially referred to them, your Commissioners
found such state OF irrcgularty, confusion and
rupon at this agency the result OF the management of
the late agent, that they recommend special nvesga-
ton OF It's affairs, covering the whole term and the
pension of his accounts with all outstanding vouchers
and Indebtedness certified By him. until such investga-
\ tion can be had"
These Commissioners also reported that they had in
their possession many facts and details which would be
OF USE IN DETECTING FRAUDS &C.,
Agency.
The agent whom Colonel Kcmble and Captain Alvord
referred had been highly recommended and as | be-
heve entered upon his duties with firm determination
TO act honorably in all respects. As he grew out of
favor with me he seemed to increase in favor with the
Interior Department, until demanded his resignation.
Employees and cattle contractors, acting under show
Of authority from the government disheartened and
demorazed that agent These Commissioners also ex-
hibted TO the details of small cattle charged at
large rates. but the Secretary Of the Interior sup
pressed ther report instead OF giving II publicity In
stead OF acuhg on thelr suggestons-to suspend tho
payment of vouchers-he sent newly appointed Indian
inspector, who, when an AGENT as it will appear
in the history Of the Red Cloud Agency, had !
yielded to evil influences eXerted by the government 4
and by contractors, and had signed vouchers
in excess OF delivery, both in weight and number lie
spent two days at the Spotted Tail Agency beginning
August l6 on August 20 he says Agent Risley in
Omaha with papers connected With his duties as agent
will now quote from his report, dated August so
copy Of which is before me-"Aiter full investigation
into the affairs connected with the Milestone Agency
under late Agent Rsley, do not find that there have
been any more supplies recepted for than received
The issue OF rations was made upon the number Of
lodges as gwen by the INDIANS themselves and state
ments OF disnteresed parties both whites and Indians
that there from Is GOO 20 600 lodges present
TO receive supplies during the fall and winter of 1872
and 1S73n This Commissioners report must have
greatly relieved the mind OF Secretary DcanO, who had
paid vouchers that Kemblc and Alvord had tainted with
fraud also setting aside the action Board Of In
dian Commissioners who had suspended those vouchers
The connvance at fraud in the report Just quoted
from Is shown by The Commissioners report
ing what no heard from disintercsed par
ties, ''that there from 1900 to 10000
lodges present at the MILESTONE Agency to receive snn
plies" Seven Indians lodge is the estimate in that
region, giving 100000 Indians the lowest number
present 10 receive supplies This is more than ten
times the number that were present and fully
double the number Of the whole Sioux nation Thustle
only commission that seemed to look for fraud
found It's recommendation nulhned by the report OF
an Indian inspector who acts under the direction of
the Secretary OF the INTERIOR and whose report bore
its face the evidence Of its worthlessness Commits
sioners Kembc aud Alvord also reported informally
on cattle frauds that occurred under their observa
ton at the Red Cloud Agency. l never heard Of any