New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-15
THE RED CLOUD FRAUDS.
THE DEPARTMENT STARTLED BY PROF.
MARSH'S CHARGES.

tile snppOsltlOn tnat Wndt was teicgf'Vn'" :" no W."
full document But on its arrival I've full there was
great astonishment at its formidable proportions ana
well fortified matter Secretary Dclano immediately
selected secret agent to proceed at to the Rcd
Cloud Agency in regard to this, and he starts to-
night.
COMMISSIONER SMITH TRIES TO EXPLAIN
| THE DEPARTMENT DESTROYS OF THE FULLEST LIGHT
ON THE ALLEGED FRAUDs-PRof, MARsHs IN
| DEFINITE CBAnGEs-THE REPE,fED REQUESTS
| TO FURNISH PROOF-THE COMMISSION 10 PRO
| CHED TO INVESTIGATE AT ONCE.
WAsHINGroN, July 1.-THE Commissioner Of In
dian Affairs makes the following statement in re-
| gard to the letter of Prof. Marsh published this
morning in THE TRIBUNE
Some time ago Prof. Marsh returned from Western
tour during which visited the Red Cloud Indian Agency.
the time of his numerous ebargcs OF mis-
conduct in Office against Agent sayie OF the Red
Cloud Agency, which involved the character of tho
supplies and The manner Of their distribution. aP
reared in Newiork journal and in other papers, all cal
culated apparently 10 affect the Indian once AMI the
Interior Department the shoulders OF Agent sayie
Prof Marsh the City of Washington. called upon
me- and sample Of supplies which he claned
from Red Cloud hut which he had not verified per-
sonay. He did cali upon the Secretary OF the Into
rior did he communicate with him by writing He
was presented by the General 10 the Prcsi
dent reiterated these general and indefinite accusar
lions. To all these, the Secretary made no reply. 40
nothing had been presented to him definite enough 10
! Justify answer
During the visit OF the Sioux delegations TO Washing
ton May last, Prof Marsh made lis appearance, and
after remaining several days in the city without calling
upon the Secretary communicating with him. tho
Secretary being informed that he present at ono OF
the Indian meetings, introduced himself, aud asked tho
Professor to call his office The Professor
| called, and the Secretary requested him TO give
him in writing any grounds OF complaints
that he might have against the Indian Service
at the Red Cloud Agency, in order that he might
examine and investigate them. This the Professor
declined to do The Secretary had previously requested
the Board of Indian Commissioners to appoint persons 10
investigate these vague and indefinite charges IbS
matters stood until the Board of which the Hon. Clinton
Is. Fiske is President selected Commissioners 10 invesi
+ gate Prof Marshs complaints When the persons TINS
selected appointed, the Professor notified by
the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs Of the appointment
and very politely requested TO furnish the Indian Oco
or the Commissioners any information in his possession
any proof at his command, to sustain any charges
which he might feel disposed TO make
The Commission that has been appointed consists OF
l.. Governor Fletcher Of st. Louis, the Hon. Benz ".
Harris East Bridgcwaer, Mass member Of the pres
ent Congress; the Hon. Chas. J. Faulkner Of Martins
burg, W. Va, member of the XLlVth Congress, and
Democrat. The Commission will proceed to investigate
Prof Marshs complaints This statement Of facts 10
deemed due TO Mr.. saye, the Red Cloud Indian Agent.
COMMENTS ON PROF. MARsHs CHARGES.
GEN. CLINTON b. FIsKs VIEwS-EvIL LRGiCiBs
FROM TIE OLD DELIVERY sYsTEM-PRECAU-
TIONs AGAINST FRAUD IN THH FUTURI;--rHE
sPECIL INVESTIGATING COMMssION-COMMIs-
sIoNER HoYT's OpINIONs-DIFFICULTIEs FHox
OLD coNrRAcroRs-sTRIcr fNFoRcEMENr OY
CONTRACTS To RE MADE.
Prof. Marsh was in the city yesterday, Int
Inst In IopO he ted
have consultation with President Grant to-day In
versation with reporter of THE TRIBUNE concerning
his statement regard the Irregularities and mai
administration of affairs the Red Clond Agency Prof
said that he had nothing to add upon that subject
20 what he had already said THE TRIBUNE yesterday.
GEN. FlSK'S VIEWS.
Inquiry was made OF Gen Clinton b. Fisk President
OF the Board Of Indian Commissioners with reference to
his views concerning Prof. harsh's statements Gen.
Fisk unwilling to express an opinion upon all OF the
specific charges contained In the Statement. lie said
that he thought the charges very frankly stated and
that the statement a strong paper. He believed,
however that Prof. Marsh mistaken ia thinking
Dr. Savile and L. p Smith corrupt, as in all Of his own
official relations with those two gentlemen h. hal
seen anything In either Of them to Justify such charge
II Commissioner Smith had made mistakes, Gen. Fisk
felt that they mistakes of jhsincnt, and not
OF intention. In speaking Of Secretary Dclano Gen.
said that the Secretary had asked 10 be relieved from
his Department in December. 1874 bnt that since
tain charges hal made against the Interior Depart
ment he had seemed 10 be anxious 10 have them all
thoroughly Investigated before he retired In ths
opinion Of Cen Fisk the alleged irregu-
larftics In tho Interior Department caused by
the wantof Of good solid business capacity ut lis
head In speaking OF the present system for furnishing
the Indians with supplies, he said that it undoubtedly
very imperfect and deficient in many respects Tho
present Commission had been endcavorng to establish
an entirely system since Its formation, and he
thought that the Commissioners In fair
way 10 accomplish this soOn. Two Of the mos.
salient points for possible fraud under tho
Old system in the beef contracts and in the
potaon OF goods. There necessity for improved
checks and balances in the shipment and delivery of
goods and such at last had made that
there could not possibly bo any c0nmy fraud In
the Transportation and delivery OF the goods which tho
Commission had purchased for tho Indians this year.
Gen. Fisk expressed qualification that Prof Mareh had
made his statement i'll satisfactory FORM It would
be OF ncacuabo assistance 70 the special Commissioners
who H. ,estigatc the charges thoroughly and bu.
partially The Special Commission Is last decided upon
and the Commissioners will meet at the Fifth Avenao
Hotel Monday evening, 10 organize previous their
departure for the West few days later. They
Gov Thomas c. Fletcher OF Missouri, ChalHnan tho
Hon Charles j. Faulkner OF West Virginia. and the Hon.
b. W. Harris Of Connecticut Ono Of these gentlemen is
declared to be Republican, to he Democrat, end
the third be independent OF either party Gen. Fisk
remarked that their investigation would certainly per-
iccty satisfactory TO the country al large In conclusion
he said that the very irregularities which
planned OF had all grown OF the old delivery ysto
EXPERIENCE OF COMMISSIONER HOYr
Areporter Of THE TRIBUNE also called upon A. H. Hoyt,
Chairman OF the Purchasing Committee lie said that no
did wish PREJUDICE the which be had just Rad
IN The TRIBUNE. lie glad that Prof Marsh had
stated his charges in 80 tangible fsrIn and he would