The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-08-19


know, sufficiently refuted by a certih-
cate OF honorable discharge at the expira-
ton of the term of service in the regular
army. This occurred two weeks after Mr..
Walker was wounded by an Indian, who at
tempted to rob the quarters at night. In
have several letters from army Of
ficers, the post trader and others.
This malicious statement was never
made until after Mr.. Walker was fearlesslv
performing his duty at Washington under
the board of Indian commissioners. Now,
Mr.. President, it is hardly needful to plead
with an officer OF your magnanimity for a
soldier VINO served this country faithfully,
and who has certificate of meritorious con-
duct from his commander. and whose char
acter was at first covertly, and now openly
assailed by a man or men for whose good
conduct you are responsible. Even il Mr..
Walker was guilty OF being intoxicated, al
ter some exhausting duty, or when iubilsnt
over one of your victories am sure that
such use as has been attemp pted to be made
OF that vice or weakness will stir you up 10
redress
THIS INSULT
to soldier. The maliciousness of seeking
for evidence of such a weakness, manifested
seven years ago, and of publishing ID from
time to time, is most evident. 1t has 80
bearing on the testimony of a man who
now has, and for years has had, the strong
est certificates OF good character from every
one whom he has served. Surely there
must be more iniquity to hide in the inte-
rfor department than any of US have sus-
pected, or such course would not have
been pursued. l am not ameng those who
have censured you so strongly for refusing
to remove Secretary Delano when ne
became Justly liable to evil report. You al
lowed him tO leave the department ofthe in
terror In charge OF eubordinates for months
together, that he might canvass the country
and secure your reelection to the presi-
deDcy. His efficient services entitled him.
under the rules of all political parties, to
claim q cont tinuance of Office uDless be COM
mitted some gross misdemeanor, or possibly
some criminal act. You have intimate
friends in Philadelphia, such as MeSsrs.
Borie, Cbilds, Drexel and Stuart, who are
entitled to the confidence of their fellow
citizens. and through their cooperation you
can be relieved from the charge OF violating
party rules. AT your request / am sure
that they would examine the papers in my
possession, and it they became satisfied that
Secretary Delano and Assistant Secretary
Cowsn are guilty of criminal libel,
when acting in their official capacity. you
certainly Will not allow them to remain in
their present position. 1t requires much
boldness for private citizen TO make this
public statement, when he knows the fear
ful power eXelted in congress and else
where by those who sdroitly use the patron
age OF the department of the interior. Un-
der its influence have seen private citizens
quail, and some of our most reliable senators
and members OF the House of Representa-
tives become very passive in measures of
reform. Before they had received 1ayors
they were my most efficient helpers. 1t Is
not my purpose at this time to show how,
through the land Office and other offices
of the interior department, an almost ire
Gle a1o bo yfolA An.lh hryc
ADRoIr MANIPULAToRs
as Secretaries Delano and Cowan. One illus
trsIion will suffice. Secretary nslsuo, in
his report made to you October 81, 1872, gave
the following statement: Stock of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company has
been subscribed to the amount 800 COO. coo.
and certificates for les. .336 shares OF 500 each
have been issued. This statement goes over
the entire land with your sanction, because
it is report to you and not contradicted,
Il has tended to mislead thousands of peo-
pie, who were induced to purchase more
than $50, 600 of the loan under the belief
that they were secure becuse 500, 100000 in
stock had been subscribed for. You
ought to have been Informed, and Secretary
Oslano knew, that there was hardly one
dollar OF Legitimate subscription to the
sock. / say that Secretary Delano
knew it, because i demonstrated with him
for making such an unqualified statement.
In his report for the year 1874, he says again
THAT 500 900, 000 OF stock has been sub
scribed, and that certificates for 202, ,326
shares of 500 each have been issued" but be
adds this clause in brackets, [''as shown by
last report"]. There are, doubtless, much
more Objectionable acts by which railroad
power has been secured, but this should
suffice to enable you to realize the resposi-
bility you incur in keeping Secretary Del
ano and Assistant Secretary Cowsn in their
present positions. 1t is my intention to give
still further public statements of such facts
in regard to their management of the Indian
Office as have come under my observation,
as a thorough reform is decreed by the peo-
pie. l desire here, as before, to make
my public acknowledgment of your
mercitul, prompt and effective aid rendered
in the Indian service, when you were at the
head OF the army and since you have be-
come president. Every suggest on 1 ever
made TO you was promptly responded 10.
save only the investigation of frauds allowed
by your appointees. Even this lanentable
trait believe springs from distorted vir-
tue. Your protection OF General Parker
| when he was convicted of misfeasance, OF
malfeasance, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, and Of those who now control that
Office, seems wholly unsccountable, except
| on the hypothesis that love in you is blind
| It may seem strange to others that should
have written this open letter, but necessity
was laid upon me to write, and could not
with proper self respect, address you in any
other way, as you have in every instanc'
closed your mind to evidence that must
have convinced any other man. Yours yer,
respectfully, WILLIkd WELSH,
No. LIZ Spruce street.
Still, AFTER SCATPS