Yankton daily press and Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1875, 1875-07-15

rect the present abuses in the Indian
management, because / have reason
10 know that they lave long been
aware of,liesc abuses and have made
no sincere effort to reform them.
2. lii all my intercourse With these
two officials. their object has manifest
ly been to find out not so much what
the frauds actually were rs to the en-
tent of my information concerning
thcm,-so MS to prevent by every
means in their power publicity or ex-
posure Of them.
THE EVIDENCE
now i'll my possession reflects m,i',-
yorably on Both Secretary Dcano and
Commissioncr@Smith. For these rea-
sons have thought it best to lay be.
fore you, to whom inaccordance with
my promise to Red Cloud ! made my
first communication, tile accompany,
ing statement in detail, in full conf
dencc that the evidence presented
will meet with the consideration It's
Importance demands. In the state
ment which accompanies this letter l
have given the results Of my investi-
CATION into the affairs at Red Cloud
Agency, the largest and most impor.
tant in the west. These results clear
ly indicate mismanagement and fraud
especially,S -
/. In that the agent, sayillc, is
wholly untitled for his position and
guilty Of gross frauds upon the In
dians in his charge.
3. The number of Indians at this
agency has been Systematically over
stated for purposes (which can only
result in fraud. +
q. The last issue zol immunity goods
which witnessed was Suspicious
transaction, and in part at least
fraudulent.
4. The beef cattle given to the ln-
dians have been very inferior, and
owing to the systematic frauds prac-
tieed by the agent and beef con.
tractors.
s. The pork issued TO. the Indians
during my visir was uuit for human
fare.
!! 6. The -four, is impcrlca, ansl proves
fraud.
Z. The sugar a.n! collcc-issuel- Mere
not good, although bette than other
supplies.
s. The tobacco is ro,ton and use
Hess.
4 8. The Indians have for these rca
cons suffered greatly during the vim
ter.
10. The contract io, freight from
Cheyenne 10 Red Cloud Agency was
fraudulent, as the true, distance is l45
miles, while the contractor was paid
PIP miles.
would especially call your a,lcn.
ton to the evidence of
FRAUD IN BEEF CATTLE,
as presented in the accompanying
statement. This subject | inves,i.
gated with great care. as beef is tho
principal article of food Of the Sioux
Indians, and the frauds, observed
have caused great suffering among
them as well as great pcculliary loss
to the government. The statement
have prepared is supported in all it.
essential parts by the testimony of
OFFICERS or TIE Ai.My
who were with me and my cxpe,li
tions at Red Cloud Agency Among
these officers are several personally
!; known to you and ait are gcntlemol
of high character. Should any par
of my statement be seriously qucs
toned, trust you will allow thcs,
gentlemen to be heard. If the com
manding officers Of all the posts nca
the Indian agencies, or other equal
! ly trustworthy and disinterested ob
server there could likewise testify,
! think it would be found | have bu
family indicted the corruption pre-
9 yading the Indian affairs. l,av,
purposed to con6nc myself in thi
statement to a single agency, an,
: mainly.to the time Of my visit, with
out reference to much other testimC
u ny which has come to me incidentall
in the prosecution Of my inquiries
!. SHOWING FRAUDS
= Of equal magnitude at other points
= : This corruption, which is constan
n source Of discontcnt and hostilt
among the Indians themselves, is i
4 my judgment the natural result ofth
: present loose and irresponsible sys
= = TEN Of furnishing the Indians will
d goods and supplies, system tina
tends directly to invite fraud. II d
not believe anything but
r. RADICAL CHANGE
4 in this respect will prevent the cor
> tinued decentralization of the India
t. service. You alone have the will an
e. the power to destroy that combin,
IL tion OF bad men known as the India
e ring, ,.who are debasing this servic