The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-26
The Indian Question.

lstIatlon. lie said that ne had perfect conn-
dence in Mr.. Delano and that he had no in
tention of removing him from Office. 1t was
not bis habit to abandon officers whom he
trusted under the clamor OF the newspapers.
He ''stood by his friends under fire." No
one will censure President Grant for his de-
votion to those who enjoy his confidence. On
the other hand, we do not discover any dis
position to make war upon Mr.. Delano. He
went into the Cabinet without much feeling
one way or the other as to his availability
or his fitness. He had been q sensible, busy
and efficient member of Congress- When he
was nominated to the Interior Department 1t
was hoped that the appointment would give
that important branch Of the government a
judicious head, and at the same time give the
administration Cabinet Minister who would
be in entire sympathy with the party. The
main reason which led to the retirement of
General Cox, of Ohio, from the Cabinet was
his inability to please the ruling minds of the
republican organization. Mr.. Delano was
more facile, and consequently when he entered
this department it was with the general sat
isfaction of the politicians and without dissent
on the part of the people.
The objection to Mr.. Delano at this time is
in no sense personal. 1t is an objection aris-
ing out Of the confessed and shameless frauds
that have been discovered in the management
of the Indian affairs. President Grant may
sustain Mr.. Delano, bat how can he explain
the infamies that have been perpetrated in
the Sioux country? Nor is it hearsay evil
dence upon which these statements rest. Let
Us present the case as 1t stands now. We have
allegations of fraud against the Secretary of
the Interior and his agents from the members
of the old Indian Commission.
As our Philadelphia correspondent showed.
in O letter which was lately published.
so far back as in 1870 Mr.. William
Welsh, of Philadelphia then q men,
Der of the Indian Commission, presented a
report to Columbus Delano, Secretary of the
Interior, giving detailed information of GER
tain frauds in beef, -four and freight TO the
extent OF half million of dollars. Every
statement made by Mr.. Welsh, who is gen.
tleman of the highest standing and of unex-
ceptionable character, was confirmed by docu-
mentary and other testimony. Mr.. Delano
gave no directions to make any reclamation
from the author of these frauds. This is the
first point
The old Board of Indian Commissioners
sent confidential agent into the Sioux coun-
try to make report upon the frauds. The
author of this report has been prosecuted by
the Indian Ring, driven out of the Treasury
and ostracized simply for doing his duty.
This is the second point.
On June %, 1874, the House Committee
on Indian Affairs made a report showing the
existence of a ring in the Indian country, by
which money was made in cattle and freight
contracts. One of the men mentioned in
that report was the author of the frauds
charged by Mr.. Welsh. The Ring which
then existed still has life, and it draws its
life from the Secretary of the Interior. This
is the third point
The HERALD some time since sent special
correspondents into the Sioux country, with
instructions to see the Indians, discover as
far as possible the real source of their griev-
ances, if there were any, and to make
report of the exact condition OF affairs. That
report has been published. 1t shows beyond
controversy and with minuteness of detail
the existence of o system of frauds as afro
cious and widespread as those which cursed
New York under the Tammany Ring. This
is the fourth point.
Professor Marsh, distinguished gentle
man connected with Yale College, student
and professor of science, found himself some
-, TO- l,a iv,
scientific investigation. While there he hap
pened to see the manner in which the Indians
were treated. He heard the complaints of
chiefs like Red Cloud He examined these
complaints. He made q statement to the
government embodying evidence Of cumula-
tive character, showing that the Interior De-
partment, through its agents, was engaged in
o series of unblushing and inhuman frauds
not merely robbing the Treasury for their
own gain, but starving the Indians to increase
their profits. This is the fifth point.
The last point and the most serious of all
is that at the head of the Indian trading
stores in the Sioux country is the brother of
the President of the United States.
The inference which the country will draw
from this Indian question is that President
Grant has resolved to sustain his brother and
his brothers agent, Mr.. Delano, against the
indignation of the country. Whether it is
fair or unfair inference it is not for us to say,
but the country will make it. We do not
charge Mr. Delano with having personally
engaged in these frauds. We have no evil
dence to justify that assertion. These frauds
have been committed from the time of his
accession to Office. We must therefore say
that be is q fool if he be ignorant OF their
existence or knave if he connives at them.
Certainly man who is either fool or
knave has no place in the Cabinet of the
President of the United States.