The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-08-19

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Alvord, special commisN Nsioners: "With refer
ence TO the specific charges as to beef issue,
at the milestone Agency (tbat is, Spotted
IaiPs,) no report can be now rendered
chiefly because the late agent. together with
his only clerical assistant, cCeded in leav-
ing the place just prior to the visit of the
| commissioners, removing all documentary
evidence as to the business transactions al
that sgency prior to the present month, and
leaving a class of employees so unprinciple
In character, and evidently so interehted
themselves in the late operations there, tt
no reliability could be placed on auy state
ment made by them. In general terms.
however, your commissioners express their
opinion that the indefinite charges OF irrepu-
| lsrity in the Indian service in this region.
and especially the
LEAKAGE IN BEEF
referred to by DIR. William Welsh, result
from the state of affairs at the W Whetstone
Agency. The quantity of beet actually re-
ceived by the milestone agent during the
past year was unquestionabIy greatly less
than that receipted for to the contractor; the
amount really delivered to the Indians far
less than appeared upon the provision re-
turns, and the Indians reported thereon as
receiving subsistence are much in excess of
the true number. In brief, while unable
for want OF specific dsta TO make detailed
report on the point specially referred TO
them, your commissioners found such
state of irregularity. confusion and corrup-
ton at this agency, the result of the msn-
sgemenJ Of the late agent, that they
recommend q special investigation OF
its affairs, covering the whole term,
and the suspension of his accoants, with
all outstanding vouchers and indebted
ness certified by him, until such investi-
CATION can be mad. Thess commissioners
also reported that they had in their possess
sion many facts and details which would be
of use in detecting the frauds, etc, at the
Red Cloud we'll as the Spotted Tail
agency. The agent to whom Col. Kemble
and Capt. Alvord referred had been highly
recommended, and, as L believe, 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
authority from the government, dis
heartened and demoraliZsd that agent.
These commissioners also exhibited to me
the details OF small cattle charged at large
rates, etc.; but the secretary of the interior
suppressed their report instead of giving it
publicity. Instead OF acting on their sug
gestion to suspend
THE PAYMENT OF YOUR VOUCHERS
he sent a newly appointed Indian inspector,
who, wien an agent, as it will appear in the
history of the Rel Cloud Agency, had
yielded to evil influences exerted by the
government and by contractors, and had
signed vouchers for cattle in
excess of delivery both in weight
and number. He spent two days
at the Spotted Tail Agency, beginning
| August 16. On August 90 he says I met
Agent Risley in Omaha, with papers con-
nected with his duties agent. L will now
quote from his report, dated August 80, a
copy of which is before me: "Attef full
| investigation of the affairs connected with
the MILESTONE Agency, under late Agent
Rislev do not finG Lnat there have been
any more supplies receipted Tor than we're
received. Tbs issue of rations was mads
upon the number of lodges, as given by the
/ Indians themselves, and statements
OF disinterested parties, both whites
and indians, are are that there
receive supplies during the fall and winter
| OF 1872 and '73.' This commissioners report
must have greatly relieved the mind OF Sec
retary Delano, who had paid vouchers that
| Kemols and Alvord had tainted with fraud,
| also setting aside the action of the board OF
Indian commissioners who had suspended
those vouchers. The counivance at fraud in
the report Just quoted from, Is shown by the
commissioners reporting what no heard
| from dlsinterested parties "that there were
| from fifteen to twenty thousand lodges
| present at the MILESTONE Agency to receive
supplies" Seven Indians to a lodge is the
estimate in that region, giving 10000 In-
dians as the lowest number present TO re-
ceiye supplies. This is more than ten times
the number that ever were present, and
FULLY DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF THE WHOLE
Sioux nation. Thus the only commission
that never seemed to look for fraud found
its recommendation nullifed by the report
of an Indian inspector who acts under tbs
direction of the secretary of the interior,
and whose report bore on its face the evi
dence of its worthlessness- Commissioners
Kemble and Alvord also reported informally
on cattle frauds that occurred under Their
own observation at Red Cloud agency
/ never heard of any notice being taken of it
Indeed, Secretary Delano accused me OF be-
ing filled with suspicion when 1 called his
attention to it. It is probable that Kemblt
and Alvord's report would never have seer
the light had it not been for my intimacy
| sire of the board OF indian com
missioners TO justify their refusing
to approve these vouchers. Secre
tary Dslano's Minnesota commission
appointed November s, 1873, com
posed OF Judge 4. c. Jones anc
, friends of the secretary, the latter his ap
pointee on the then board of Indian commits
sioners, and the former an associate of Com
missioner Smith on Indian scrip researches
James Smith, jr., s. lawyer Of st. Paul. and
VIM. r. jennings, lawyer of Pittsburg
These mmissioners were appointed by Mr.
Dslano to examine certain specific charge
made in the newspapers of s.. Paul agains
the Rev. Z. p. Smith, the present commits
sioner of Indian affairs, when he was agen
for the Mississippi bands of Chippew as II
Minnesota. Some of these charges of mis-
md al Haas will (
lin subsequent letter on Indian agencies
The commission telegrsphed for me to ap
pear before it, and not being eble to so, / di
: at the instance Of Secretary Delsno just wha
he insisted on your doing-made out
II sF7IEs OF CHARGES
to be examiner, uto by these COMMISSION
, ers. Every one of them could then hav
been proven before any tribunal competen
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