The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-10-19
THE INDIAN FRAUDS.
Report of the Red Cloud Com.
miSSiOneFS on the Charges Pre-
leFFed by Prof Marsh.

luB ~ AH uHulyslh VI tu1 IepuEb lubb uAue
by the Commission, composed Of Messrs
Fletcher, Harris, Faulkner and Ather'
ton, appointed to investigate and report
on the charges Of miSmanagement and
fraud at Red Cloud agency, made by
Prof. Marsh;
The Joint Commission for the inyesti,
CATION Of affairs at Red Cloud agency
have closed their labors and submitted
their report to the President and to the
Board OF Indian Commissioners, by whom
they were appointed, adopting Prof,
Marsh's letter TO the President, setting
forth charges OF fraud and miSmanage.
ment in Indian affairs as their starting
point.
THE COMMISSION
take up his allegations Seriatim, examin-
ing all available sources Of evidence, and
scrutinizing all the records and d0Cumen-
tary proof which might, in their judg-
ment, throw light upon the subject, The
printed testimony taken comprises more
than 800 pages. The Commission sustain
the charges Of
OFFICIAL INCoMPETENCY
preferred against J. ]. Saville, the Indian
agent at the Red Cloud Agency, and re-
commend his removal, but exonerate him
from the charge Of dishonesty, and point
to him as one Of the Indian agents who
goes out OF Office poorer man than when
he entered. With regard 10 the charges
that the number OF Indians at the Red
Cloud Agency had been greatly over esti-
mated for the purpose Of fraud, the Com
missiOners notice the fact that the majOri-
ty Of the proofs
CONCUR WITH PROFESSOR MARSH
in his belief that there were not 80 many
there as had been represented, but in
support Of the charge opinion merely has
been offered. The enumeration Of Indi-
ans was attended with great difficulties
and delays, such as their determined OPP
position to being counted and the fact
that the Northern or wild Indians were
liable to visit the agency and demand
goods and ratiOns. The census OF last
year showed that there were l3,42S Indi-
ans at the Red Cloud agency. This result
was believed by the Commissioners to
have been obtained through the best
means within the command OF the agent.
The Commissioners find that the system
Of keeping accounts at the agency was
frequently
LOOSE AND DEFRCTTVE,
and for this reason the Indian Office ia
Justly censurable. They also observed
that the provisions OF the treaty Of 1860,
requiring the presence OF an army officer
at all issues Of goods, had been utterly dis.
regarded, but could not conclude from
that In the absence Of other proof, that
fraud had been practiCed. The specific
allegation that on the 18th OF November,
1874, the Indians were charged with 81
bales OF blankets while only 25 bales were
issued to them, Is pronounced to be
wholly without foundation.
THE BEEF CONTRACTS
form a particular part Of the report.
The annual expenditure for It's supply Is
large, and the frauds charged In connect
tion with the contracts are commensurate
with the magnitude Of the sums involved.
In taking upt his suj ject the Commissioners
recupitIiate Prof. Marsh's charges that
the cattle had been inferior owing TO
the Systematic frauds practiced by the
agents and contractors. That In cOnSe.
qlence Of the frauds and miSmanagement
the Indians suffered gaeatly during the
past winter for food. That Agent Sayille
withheld from them provisions which he
charged against the government as
having been issued TO them. That
frauds in weights are consummated by
direct cOllusion between the agent and
contractor, and that equal rascality Is
practicetl In regard 10 the number OF cat.
lie. That another fraud is the system Of
stampeding, and that these frauds have
been gigantic and long systematical.
Prof. Marsh's pamphlet parLakes rather
OF the nature OF an argument than the
pure presentation Of facts, and In review
Ing these several charges the Commission
find that he has based his conclusions
more upon hearsay evidence than on
personal knowledge and well established
facts. The charge that Agent Saville
and ]. W. Bosler, with his associates,
combined to defraud the Government is
found to be entirely
UNSUPPORTED ny FACTS.
In support OF his charge Prof. Marsh
alludes TO the contract for the last fiscal
year, and argues that II was tainted with
fraud from its inception. The contract,
II appears, was awarded to ]. X. Fore.
man, who was thelowest bidder, and who
complied with all the published require
ments. Subsequently for business rea-
sons II was assigned 10 W. A. Paxton. In
order that combination might be formed
to carry out 80 large contract Mr.. Bos.
Ter furnished the capital and purchased
the cattle in the name Of Paxton. To
execute such contract at 40 low rate
with success and profit required capital
and skill and business capacity, and In
consideration Of these, which Bosler con.
trlbuted, he was entitled to receive the
greater shar Of the profits.
THE COMMISSION FAILED TO DISCOVER
In all the facts any evidence Of fraud in
the matter. In the same connection
Prof. Marsh speaks OF Mr.. Bosler as con-
nected with frauds previous 10 this
contract and for this reason excluded
from further participation in Govern.
ment contracts. After an examination
Of the facts bearing on this allegation II
was found that Mr.. Bosler has himself at
various times had contracts with the
War and Interior Departments and that
lie never was refused a contract when his
bid entitled him 10 IL, but has always
been awarded contract for which he
was the lowest bidder. II has not been
shown or attempted 10 be shown that he
violated any previous contract or been
party 10 any frauds upon the Govern.
ment; neither has he been awarded any
contract with the Indian Office The pres.
cnt year. The Commission say they find
this charge
WHOLLY UNSUPPORTED,
and nowhere has anything appeared to
warrant them In regarding Mr.. Bosler as
other than an honest man In all his bust.
ness transactions. His participation in
the contract OF Seth Mabefry for supply.
ing beef to the Sioux agencies for this
year Ia shown to be a similar arrange.
ment TO that previously mentioned, and
under which he purchased over $4,000
head Of beef cattle, which are now being