Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-18
WASHINGTON.
stus s,T--T
Grant .Besieged by Friends IOt
Davis.
Examination into Indian Affairs.
2 81 so Il $ .4E-- u aFt
Commissioners Smith Defends
DeIane and SaviIle.
The -Gs.se of District Attorney Eisher.

The Gssse of District Attorney Fisher.
WASHINGTON, July IA delegation
of friends of District Attorney Fisher have
gone to Long Branch to secure his retention
in Office. Those who wish him removed
are equally earnest in the other direction.
ExaminaiiOn into the Indian Frauds.
The commissioner of Indian Affairs
says, enquiry Into Red Cloud Agency af-
fairs is in the hands of prominent gentle
men, with Instructions 20 take the freest
range, and find whatever wrong exists.
! The statement that these alleged frauds
have been frequently reported TO him with
out receiving attention, he pronounees sb-
solntely false. Charges similar to those
BOW made, quite as serious and rather
more bitter, were made against this agency
eighteen months ago, when the Secretary
of the Tnt6TiOF- Immediately required in
vestig8tiOn through a commission, of
which Bishop Hare was made chairman.
This commission made thorough inyestiga-
tiOn into the chaTges.R shop Hare and
Mr.. Hinman, of the 5000 zifeA Ofi-
GERS ,the, Prot On 81 Clsirch,
whic fg zley z1s s1aolni-
nati1I sEls Aas efailTs re-
spons III ~ fore
IA lon of
Affairs
nj 81 a pose that
Sion 81 ssifa % Cover
gi1l any fraIif. q llsif ftsii and UNANIMOUS
9repoTI Comm ignsr not only com
pletefy usF e gent-SaFille from
E5aIlgg but declares The eesrges
agai4fsts sHt were mean both in their
origin 4sil4 7SiT heir report saws
that some OF the affidavits which seemed
to reflect m6st CSon the character of agents
were such partial statements, that they
Amounted to eulpable suppression, and
some of the testimony on which were
based the most damaging attacks upon
their administration was the testimony Of
a well known deserter and thief. Facts
cited to The discrediI Of agents, which were
CLEANED at the agencies during their absence,
and which they thenhad no opportunity to
account for, were, when brought tn their
notice, satisfactorily explained. Practices
which were shown to have been Unavoida-
bic IN the peculiar ei cunlstanceS in which
agents are placed, and Transactions which
at first seemed suspicious and 10 which
criminal intent rad been imputed, were
shown to have been characterized by entire
good faith, TO have been carried Onin broad
light, and where not justifiable 20 -iraye
been, not wrongdOing, but mistakes ofmen
new in office, where peculiarly. the incnm-
bent can learn from experience only The
commission endorse the replies of agents
in all their material points, and.-giye
as result Of their prolonged 7in-
.yestigasF0n into points touched upon,
IN T-Mf. Walkers report, and, The
-
and the IL personal observations of men aud
things ar tfIeagencfes. i, The, entife relief
of AGENTS Saviile and Howard from the
suspicious east chr their characters and
heir administration, and the earnest con
viction thai these gentlemen have per-
8;5rnad tleiFsduties during time OF great
trial. and-int the midst Of great eTnbarrass-
ments, with energy, honesty and fidelity to
ths interests of the Government and
IIlti&ss and sthSt they deserve tlIes con
hfEEs and edIntnendatiOIf Of tie Depart-
ment. On this rep5rt by persons whose
Judgment and finding he hal a right to
deem competent and every way reliable,
the Comm ssioner has acted. Respecting
the Paxton contract for beef at
Red Cloud Agency, which the Com
missioner is charged 10 have
fraudulently made, in March he states it
was made by him in strict conformity with
law, and a. the records abuudsntly show,
on the advice and recommendation Of the
Board Of Indian Commissi)n )neTs, after
CAREFUL inquiry 10y that Board into the
facts aud necessities Of the case. As TO the
other and indefinite charges of fraud
or .connivanee with KrOngloiDg on his
part, Commissioner Smith makes the
most positive and coinprehen-
sire denial. and says he desires notIing.sO
much now as the EeTerest SCRUTINY ef his
official acts by fGir-mInded men. Respect
ing the charges against Secretary DelanO
Of completely with frauds at the Red Cloud
agency. the Commissioner says
il is but the simplest act
OF fairness for him 10 state he has no knOwl-
edge Of any sueh completely on the part Of
that officer, am. knows Of nothihg tending
10 show il. On the contrary, 50 faT. as. he
knows, the action Of rGe Secretary in all
m ttter5 pastziBiIls 80 Red Cloud Agency
during the past year, has been aOnly
official routine action Of the Department
upon matters submitted by Indian Officers,
generally approving the suggestion of the
commissioner, and in no way debating or
even making suggestions as TO purchases on
contracts or pecuoiaTy Transactions OF any
sort.