River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-09-17
Bishop Hare Before the Red Cloud
Inv estigating Commission.

Bishop Hare Before the Red Cloud
Intoxicating Commission.
Washington, Sept TO- Correspondence Chi
cago Tribune.l
The Red Cloud Investigating Commits
sion commenced its open session here
this morning. Bishop Hare, Of Dakota,
was on the stand for nearly five hours in
the morning session. The purpose Of
calling him was to confirm or disprove
the allegations Of Prof. Marsh against DR.
Saville, the Episcopal Agent at Red
Cloud. The drift of Bishop Hare's testi.
mony was to confirm Prof Marsh in his
essential statement as to frauds in the
purchase Of cattle on the part of Saville,
and to strengthen the belief in Saville's
dishonesty. Bishop Hare's testimony was
stronger from the fact that it was rem.
dered with the greatest reluctance, and
that the Bishop dislikcd to say anything
which might injure Savlle. Bishop Hare
remembers distinctly, as Marsh charged,
that Sayille admitted that the cattle at
Red Cloud did not exceed $50 pounds in
weight, yet the Treasury records show
Savllle certified that they weighed 1000
pounds, and the government paid for that
weight upon Sayillc's receipt.
Hare declined to answer general ques.
tions. lie had no special knowledge as to
the number Of the Indians; that was a
subject about which men seldom agree.
Tie had seen some bad -four at Red Cloud,
but thought il was only issued to ponies.
He refused to make any specific charges
against DR.. Saville, but left the inference
plain that he thinks him dishonest. Said
that h. thought the Episcopal Church
could no longer be responsible for any
agent regarding whose character so many
accusations had heen made.
lie was very frank in his expression be.
fore the Commission Of his entire conf.
dence in the officials Of the Interior De.
partment at Washington. lie said: 81
have never brought to the attention oil
the Department suspicious proceeding
| that did not Immediately receive attention
All my intercourse with the Interior De.
partment officials at Washington have in.
creased my respect and regard for them.
have never know them to commit or
tolerate fraud" As to agents, he evi.
IDENTIFY did not like to answer. lie had
no knowledge of fraud on the part Of any
agent now in the field, but has suspi-
cions.
As to the report Of Samuel Walker,
Hare said he believed it must be unfair,
aud in its mode Of inquiry contemplate.
He said ''ln all my experience in the In
dian country the rations | have seen
have been wholesome and good, but not
first class" Some of the flour he once
saw at Red Cloud was poor and mildewed,
and in muddy bags.
| The Committee obtained an extended
expression of opinion from Bishop Hare
as to the condition and future of the In.
dian race. He agreed with Congressman
Harris, Of the Commission, that under
the present system it is difficult for an
agent TO perform his duty to the Govern
ment. Hare said an agent who would
resist the corrupt temptations OF the
country would be brave indeed. MIR.
''ssiis, Vf ,iiV CVnIniooi,'u, ra,uiN chang
ing the method of supplying cattle. lie
thinks the Government should have its
own herd and stockades. and not receive
the cattle from contractors for immediate
distribution.
i Bishop Hare had some very decided
! opinions as to the relation Of the Govern
ment to the Indians. He said the Gov.
eminent ought to take more decided
measures to make the Indians come TO
terms. He would deprive them
ot food until they agreed. The
whole Red Cloud story, he said, as he
warmed with his theme and forgot his
discretion, was blot upon the govern.
mcnt. The best Indians are treated the
worst. The agents are afraid 10 refus,
the Indians anything. The government
itself Is ,imid. Turning TO the Commits.
sioner Of Indians Affairs, Bishop Hare
said: II think the Government Is a III.
tie timid, Mr.. Commissioner. / think
the President is little limid, and hav,
said so to him. | would invoke the ait
ofthe military to compel obedience, ant
Starye the Indians to submission. Their,
should be more positiveness in the man
\ agement Of Indian affairs. There shout,
he a judiciouS employment OF force. Their,
IS no law for the Indians. There shout,
be something done besides feeding them
The Indians should be fed as individuals
not as tribes. Squawmen should nevei
receive pound of beef. .
Hare condemned the invasion of IN,
Black Hills by Custer as lamentabl,
violation of treaty rights and a gross out
rage Of the War Department.