Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-18
WASHINGTON.
District Attorney Fisher Would Like to
be Retained I'm Omse-IRternaI
Revenue Appointments by the
President.
The Commissioner OF Indian Affairs
COarts a Thorough Investigation
of Ihe Red-CIOud Agency
Charges.

WASHINGTON, July IA delegation
OF the friends of District
Fisher have gone to Long Branch to se-
cure his retention in office. Those who
wish him removed are equally earnest
in the other direction.
The commissioner Of Indian affairs
says the inquiry into the Red-Cioud
agency affairs is IN the hands OF compe-
tent gentlemen, with instructions to
take the fIeest range and find whatever
wrong exists. The statement that the
alleged frauds have been frequently re-
ported to him without receiving atten-
ton he prOnOunces absolutely false
Charges similar to those now made,
quite as serious and rather more bitter,
were made against this agency eighteen
months ago, when the secretary of the
interior Immediately required an invest
igation through 3 commission, of which
Bishop Hare was made chairman. This
commission made thorough investiga-
ton into the charges. Bishop Hare and
Mr.. Hinman, of the commission, are
officers of the Protestant Episcopal
church, which, in accepting this agency
and nominating the agent, has become
morally responsible to the government
and before the people for his honest ad-
ministratiOn of its affairs. 1t would
be mOnstrOus to suppose that such a
commission would desire to cover up any
fraud. Their unanimous report to the
commissioner not only completely eX-
OneTates Agent Saville of wrong intent,
but declares that the charges against
him were mean both in their origin and
their spirit. Their report says that some
OF the atfidavits, which seemed to reflect
most upon the character OF the agents, |
were such partial statements that they
amounted to culpable SuppTeSsjO Ueri, !
and some of the testimony, on which |
was based most damaging attacks upon |
their administration, was the testimony
of a well-knOwn deserter and thief Facts !
cited to the discIedit Of agents, which |
were CLEANED at agencies during their |
absence, and which they then had no |
opportunity to account for, were, when |
brought to their notice, satisfactorily eX-
planned; practices which were irregular
were shown to have been unavoidable in |
the peculiar circumstances i'll which the !
agents were placed; transactions which |
at first sight seemed sulpiciOus, and to |
which criminal intent had been imputed, |
were shown to have been characterized |
by entire good faith, to have been |
carried on in broad daylight, and where |
not justifabie, TO have been not wrong !
doing, but mistakes OF the men now
in office, where, peculiarly, the iDcum- |
bent can learn only from experience. |
The commission iudOrse the replies OF
the agents in all their material points, |
and give, as the result OF their prolonged |
investigation into the points touched |
upon, ia Mr.. Walkers report, and the re-
oil nf !, tEal
agents and their personal observations |
OF men and things at the agencies. The |
entire relief of Agents Saville and How.
ard from the suspicious cast on their
and their administration and |
the conviction that these gentlemen
have performed their duties during
time Of great trial and amidst great en-
bsrrsssments, with energy, honesty and
fidelity to the interests Of the govern
ment and the Indians, and that they
deserve the confidence and commenda-
ton OF the department. On this report,
by persons whose judgment and findings |
he had right to think competent and
every way reliable, the commissioner
has acted. Respecting the PsXon con-
tract for beef at the Red-ClOud agency,
which the commissioner is charged to
have fraudulently made in March last,
be states that it was made by him in
strct conformity with the law, as the
records abundantly show, on
the advice and recommendation of
the board of Indian commissioners,
after careful inquiry by that board
lntO the facts and necessities of the case.
As to the other and indefinite charges
Of fraud or cOnnivance with wrong
doing in any way on his part, Commits
siODer Smith makes most positive
and comprehensive denial, and says
be desires nothing so much just now ss
the severest scrutiny of his official acts
by fair-rninded men. Respecting the
charge against Secretary DelanO OF COM
plicity with frauds at the Red-Cloud
agency, the commissioner says that it
Is but the simplest act of fairness for
him TO state that he has no knowledge Of
any such completely on the part of that
officer, and knows OF nothing tending to
show it. On the contrary, SO far as he
knows, the action Of the secretary in
matters pertaining to the Red-ClOud
agency during the past year has been
1nIy the official routine action of the
department. upon matters submitted by
me Indian office, generally approving
.he suggestions of the commissioner, and
never in any way debating or even
making suggestions as to purchases, con- {
rae or pecuniary transactions of any
SOFT.
Th9 following internal revenue ap-
1ointments are being made: Gaugers-
Thomas L. Davis, seventh Indiana dis
Tict; Enoch Stillwell, first Missouri dis
rict; John w. Lane, second Kentucky
district; James NJ 'ElrOy, seventeenth
district. Storekeeper- {
Abeler w. Castro, seventh Indiana dis
rict.