The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-18
Mixing the Whitewash.

Mixing the Whitewash.
That the commission appointed to inves-
ngate the charges against the Indian Bu-
reau preferred by Prof. MARSH was ex-
pecssd 10 perform the work of white
washing all concerned in the Indian Ring
was well understood from the rirst ,rousb
We cannot believe that Mr. +. .r1'KSrp az
West Virginia will permit himself 70 no
used for such an igno ,,e nurnose. Rut
there is no doubt tb' =, the majority NJ tho
ooIr,liiSsion VIII GEAR witness TO the purity
=. DhLANo' NTH * Co.. while admitting
."A' sorr unavoidable Irregularities have
red in consequence OF the impossi-
atty of keeping n strict watch over the
doings Of all the contractors and subordi-
nate agents of the Government at such
remote points as the Red Cloud and Spot
ted Tail agencies.
We have said that il was generally I'M
derstood that this commission, appointed
by DELANo TO investigate his own acts. was
expected to do n W hitewashing job, and by
this we mean that il was so understood by
those who are familiar with the manage
ment of Indian Affairs under the present
Administration. Perhaps the best posi-
BILE evidence that could be given of this
Il the fact that with fun knowledge Of
the impending investigation. the Indian
Ring, with unblushing enrontery, have
undertaken TO swndle the Sioux out of "A
large portion Of the money allowed them
only "A few we, ks ago for reliuqushing
their hunting privileges in Nebraska. As
part remuneration for this oession OF their
number of American mares for the pur-
pose OF improving their breed OF horses.
Instead of what was promised, they were
offered a lot of ponies and bronchos, and
even these were deficient In numbers
They were at first rejected by SPOTTED
TAIL, who requested the commanding ofli-
DER at Camp Sio-i1.-s. - insnect and mako
-opOrt upon them; but he was unwilling
TO interfere with the business of the Inte-
rior Department. and finally the Indians
were compelled to submit TO the swindle.
In all the reports emanating from the
Interior Department sent forth from
Washington for the purpose Of influencing
public opinion, IL has been uniformly as
serted that the commission could find no
persons who were able TO testify OF their
own knowledge of fraud; that nothing
but hearsay evidence had been produced.
II is undoubtedly true that there was a
great unwillingness on the part of EN-
ployees "squaw men," and traders to tes-
tify against the agents of the department {;
and the following affdavt from sub
contractor who is engaged in furnishing
supplies TO the military post of Camp
Sheridan, which is in the immediate
neighborhood of Spotted Tail Agency,
may throw some light upon the means
employed 10 intimdate witnesses by the
agents Of what GRANT calls his thoroughly
reformed Indian service:
- sat q Essra,,a c'ggg sss,4sgr;,,. Personally
A. q. ssAw; who, bong Gully sworn according to law
sharges seiirst i A HowaHp ndisn Agent At spottci
iia.eli and oh,rs alleging frauds or compicity IN tlc
sam IN The e9naGct Of Indian aIfifs e 81 asency
ing sent % Nc Interior DcpaItnent q Washington
eut remark, tue said !. a. HowAEp had used ms unu
snce 70 iniqre Ms, the snil G, snAw,s business
ssuns Goases osea and lin, lie said A. g. SHAW. ie
70 the Government for ue eisen VI LAy and sood
fortino- nat Would necessar result to NM lie said
A g. rhAW, De, vll agree % Niihhull al rh'h pa cri
peSralce q what is known a. he MAnsm CON X,
S 'eS" i 10 e nc rqg@ & IN sa
bin dla1 the Day ssr ne departure q H.
~ IN order HIM 10 leave the reser alton on 0i
ioFS eet Asf g. s' R RSn 2i beng n t 2F
gD G9ng h 9's 99afe 1Pa psyqas 9e a
voo3 a, the cost Of Camp Sheridan, Sch that me
a c. snA~, f.r NE lsHAw,sl signMure, paper wliel
and acknoWicdgc tht All charges made ty me- a,ain
indian Agent l.. A. H1wArb. spotted Tall Agency
my own peTs, mi motyci an6 tai t6eie Vas ad Is n,
w .Hs F I5 lem,,p a a aimed l1S "a,
The pur UT OF hls lawful business, the event Of IN
aSg e same a. teini untrue and SeTjury he said I
seryation on pain Of being forcioiy removed.
Sworn subscribed to before me this thirty nrst da
t. S. Commissioner, District Of Nebraska"
The charges made against Agent How
ARD, who is one of the favorites of Com
missioner SMITH, were Of the gravest ma
ture, while the man who made them-wh
has lived for thirteen years among the Ia
dians-is vouehed for by responsible gen
uemen Us one whose word is entitled t
credit. He alleged that HOWARD had pr
vately contracted for hay at extravagun
rates; that he had deprived the indians O
the rations due them, thus endangering a
outbreak; that through members Of hi
family, HOWARD was interested in the ex
orbitant contract for hay; accused him o
selling Indian supplies to white men, an
OF other offences Of an equally serious char
aoter For daring to give his sworn evl
dence in regard to these abuses to the com
mission appointed ostensibly tonvostigat
affairs at tho agencies Mr.. SHAW was OF
dered of the reservation by the ma
whose conduct was undergoing investiga
ton.
As to the charges made under oath b
Mr.. SHAW against Agent HOWARD, W
know nothing, except in relation TO tn
hay contract. In regard to that we lear
from an authentic source that hay deliy
cred at the Spotted Tail Agency cost
nearly eight dollars per ton more than ha
u The same quality delivered at Cam