The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-27

1
clusively that they had been repeatedly
presented to his notice, and that he per
sonally was the obstacle TO their correction,
by reason Of which they resigned.
Not content with this misrepresentation,
they have the effrontery to say that i" the
Secretary OF the Interior has but little con-
nection with any of the contracts made for
the Indian service, or with the adjustment
and payment of the accounts returned TO
the Indian Office" They had before them
| "a public document showing that DELANo
at one dash had overruled the old board
| and allowed half million Of claims which
they had condemned as fraudulent. That
fact could not be denied, and is therefore
admitted, with the excuse which DELANo
urged In his own behalf. that he had the
advice of the claw officer OF the depart
ment," who was his own former law part
ner and was given the appointment he
recently resigned on compulsion, in order
TO do this very work.
This sort of deception runs all through
the report, and crops out wherever grave
charge cannot be rcfuted. The beef con-
tracts are known to be among the chief
elements of fraud and profit for the Ring.
When this Commission was appointed,
steps were Immediately taken TO have
choice lot of cattle for its inspection. A
portion of them were weighed. and upon
that prepared basis It is asserted "if the
herds of 1873 compared with those thus
tested then there was no cause of com
plant
The principal contractor for beef, who,
hat, hn a "a 9
managed to replace the successful bidders
either by buying them of or using
"straws,' presented an abstract" OF his
dealings, prudently made up for the occa-
sion. These Investigators adopted 10 ~ a
good substitute for his books, ana for a
high eulogium upon the man who, of all
Others, has made the most money and d.
vided most literally with the Ring,
through whose influence at Washington
his accounts were passed and his contracts
secured and enlarged without regard TO
law or regulation.
This Commission was composed OF Eve
persons-Mr. FLETCHER of Missouri, Mr..
HARRIS of Massachusetts, Mr. FAuLKNER
OF West Virginia, Mr.. ArHERroN OF New
Jersey, and Senator HOWE of Wisconsin.
The last did not sign the report, and was
not present when most OF the testimony
was taken. But he il known TO Join in all
its conclusions. DELANo was shrewd
enough To follow TwEED's tactics when he
kept n stock of TNmmany Republicans on
hand, by selecting one Democrat, and he "a
member Of Congress elect from West
Virginia. At Washington Mr.. FAULKNER
was understood TO be preparing a minority
and adverse report. Now, he is given out
NJ the author of this precious document,
which Is fatty contridicted by the public
records, and is VIGOROUSLY untrue in sew
eral of the most material statements.
Mr. FLETCHER was chosen because he was
known to be a personal adhercnt of the
inculpatcd parties and friendly TO the
Ring; and Alr. HARRIS had earned his
spurs In the last Congress rs a champion OF
both in another withdrawing invtstiga-
ton. Thus three out OF the four were Sc
cured, and the fourth weakly yielded to
their persuasion, or formed his opinion
upon the er pdrte case Us II was concocted
by the Ring behind the scenes.
IL is quite clear that Mr.. FAULKNER ana
Mr.. HARMS are not qualihcd to be- mem
bers OF Committee on Indian Affairs in
the House of Representatives, If any
searching inquiry into these rascalities is
proposed. They have recommended the
establishment of n Territorial Government
for the Indians, which is the greatest aim
and desire Of the Ring, and which the Pres
ident and DELANo heretofore pressed on
Congress with all their united strength.
II Mr.. FAULKNER be IL pattern Democrat,
the sooner the model Is destroyed the bet
ter for that party.