Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-08-18
Tnc Indian Investigation.

As far ms the current inquiry into
the alleged frauds at the Red Cloud
Agency has gone, it appears that the
statements OF Prot. Marsh are zorro.
borated by the evidence which is pro-
tuced relative to the dealings of
agents and contractors with the In
dams, It may be too early to frame a
definite Judgment As to the general
effect OF his statements, but it is quite
evident that the public is prepared to
receive full cCrroborative testimony to
the truth OF all that has been said
about this Indian Agency business for
a long time. The faint Of fraud and
corruption is too strong to have eScap-
ed the public suspicion. Nor is the
charge OF n citizen like Prof. Marsh to
be put aside by con,emptuous incrcd-
ullty. Like the statements Of any
other reputable citizen who claims to
speak from personal knowledge, those
OF Prof Marsh are to be treated with
respect and examined into rs to their
foundation. The investigation just
begun, though the manner Of launch
ing it does not greatly appeal to the
public confidence, is vindicati1g the
original necessity for demanding it.
The public will be in the way oflcarn-
ing more about the manner Of agents
charging for beef and -four ABOVE the
weight OF each, and of understanding
Il few Of the actual reasons for the dis
satisfaction Of the red men and their
reiterated complaints. There are
mysteries connected with the deal
ingS with the Indians which are no
mysteries, and it is time the screen
was pushed over and the methods OF
the agents and those with and for
whom they act were fairly exposed.
There has been a meeting Of the
Board of Indian Commissioners OF
the summer capital, held with 4 most
timely reference to this investigation.
Thcrc was really 10 need, every one
will frankly say, OF its protlering any
public statements as Yet in favor Of
the ''humane policy which it alleges
has been pursued towards the Indians.
For if that had indeed been the POI.
icy. and the President had seen to it
that it was carried out, in all llkel
hood there would have been no occa
sion for Prof. Marsh to put forth
such severe structures as he has on
Secretary Dclano and Commissioner
Smith, or to refuse to lodge with them
the details OF his own charges. This
Board likewise formally addresses the
"Christian public" when the effective
way to address it is to demand that
the current investigation shall be push
ed on without fear or favor. All such
addresses just now are suspiciously
out Of time. The truly Christian pub !
lie want nothing so much as TO see
Prof Marsh's charges substantiated,
if they can be. That is the only "hu-
name policy it believes in at present.
1t would also hold the investigation
on foo: in greater esteem than it does
if the Commission had been differently |
named in the first place, and had been
clothed with authority to compel the
attendance OF witnesses besides. AS
it is, the impression prevails that it
will terminate it, work with the usual |
whtewashing farce, let tie Board
direct its attention to the Indian Ring |
only and it will most truly serve the |
cause OF humanity and a Christian
public by encouraging the merciess
exposure Of these very frauds Of
which Prof Marsh has made Sich dis
tinct complaint. -Bosfon Post.