The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-06
The sham Indian InvestigatIon.

The Commission recently selected by
Mr.. DELANo TO investigate the charges of
Prof MAltsH aud Others against himself,
appear TO have completed the business
for which they were sent to the West
When these Commissioners were appoint-
ed, two objections naturally suggested
themselves To all fair minds, and were
freely expressed at the time.
First they were chosen by the Secretary
OF the Interior who had been put on trial;
and secondly, they had no more power TO
make IA strict and searching investigation
than any other five individuals who might
assume such a service. They could not
compel the attendance of witnesses. adj
min ter oaths, or send roces- for papers.
Hence, all the testimony given has been
voluntary, and there is no lreteuce that
witnesses from distance have appeared.
or that the books and accounts of the diff
frrcut age lcies have been subjected 10 any
tests whatever. From this city to the
Red Cloud Agency the Commission have
been LITERAL, in The hands of contractors,
agents. and officials connected with the In
dian Ring, The ramihcations of which are
a. powerful as they arc extensive.
They have passed rapidly from point TO
point, making cursory examinations and
taking such testimony as was offered Tor
use, mainly in the interest of the very
parties known 10 be implicated III or the
benenciarics Of the frauds which have
caused so great "a scandal
The few officers Of the army who were
called upon to testify. and who spoke from
personal knowledge and observation were
cold-shouldered in manner to make il
clear that the Commission had no desire TO
find out anything di-agreeablc to their
employer and least Of all 10 make Il record
winch might be useful hereafter.
OF course the contractors and their con-
fcdcrates were well prepared. They had
notice before the Commission was named
10 have everything in readiness 10 select
the best cattle aud 10 exhibit perfect
compliance with all the safeguards that
they bad habiiually discarded, 50 as to I'M
press the Commissioners with their order
ana methods
Consequently, the machinery was run
smoothly, ana Mr.. DELANo's friends, with
$40 day in pocket ana all expenses paid,
found there had been good deal OF cxag-
gcration, and the pious patriots who had
grown rich on a salary OF 81 800 year must
have been maligned by envious Christian
statesmen who wanted their places to
convert the Indian.
This Commission will OF course find some
irregularities, but nothing to criminate
DELANO, CowEN, SMITH & Company, who
employed them. That would he indicate.
Their accounts win be set tied literally, and
then the Secretary OF the Interior, with
this bill of health, will resign from the
pressure of private business, and retire TO
enjoy the large fortune which he has ac-
cumulatod by enterprise in Office.
or the thirty-two millions expended for
the Indian service during the last 1--WE
years, ii Is estimated by careful computa-
ton that ut least fifteen millions have been
absolutely stolen and divided among the
the Ring, which is just ms influential at the
White House rs IL is in the Interior Depart
ment. And that fact has been the secret
OF DELANos hold on GRANT and defiance
Of public opinion.
Perhaps the President and his surround
ings may suppose this sort OF sham will
satisfy the public mind, and that bare
faced whitewashing operation will be
made TO pass muster for an investigation
OF scandAlous jobbery. That delusion can
not last long. Ninety days will be apt TO
d-pel 1t, when the new House of Repre-
hentatives will come together, and in no
temper 10 BIZ tr,1ed with or cheated by