The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-30
THE INIQUITY OF BELKNAP.
GEMS. CUSTER AND HAzEN DAMN
mo MIN WITH TESTIMONY.
How the President Improved Orvirs Oppor-
tunity for Bustncs. In Post Traderships-
Proofs offered In 1872 by Gen. Hazcn.

now tuo freetdent improved OrvtFe OppOr-
tunity for business In Post Trnderships-
Proofs offered In 1872 by Gen. Hazcn.
WASHINGTON, March 2o.-Tho testimony
OF Gen. Custer to-day before tho Committee on
Expenditures In the War Department was the
climax OF the post tradorship scandal. He gave
his evidence frankly and fearlossly, and even
when the truth bore hard on tho President he did
not waver. II was his belief. founded on long
experience and careful observation, that the In-
dians ns well the Government were sys-
tematically robbed by the contractors. He had
again and again reported tho facts as he had OBJ
served them, but nc attention was paid to them
by the authorities nt Washington save by the
Indian Commissioners who resisted his efforta
to reform the service as piece Of i'm mpertinence.
He showed that In ono case at least 5000 bush
els Of corn, which had been inspected and re-
ceved by the Indian Department and undoubt-
edly paid for, was sent to his post. and although
he refused at nrst 20 receive II, the
War Department npalv compelled him TO accept
II. and II was again paid for by the Government.
The most important point In his testimony,
however. was In regard to the enlargement OF
the Sioux reservation. The defenders of the
President have asserted that the object OF this
extension, which was made by the President
shortly after Orvil Grant given the mono
poly OF Indian trading posts on the Upper Mis-
souri, was To prevent the Indians from evil In
nuencos. such as too free access to Gre water.
zen Custer, IN answer 10 direct question from
MT. Clymer said that IN his opinion the object
was To Increase the profits OF the traders. The
profits. he said, ovetaid tho morality In this case
three to one. When asked IL he did not think
that the sole object Of tho President pruclama-
tion was 70 increase his brother OWLS profits
he said he hoped the question would not
improprey In his expressing bis opinion
on the subject thus indicating clearly his
had upon one occasion called the attention of
the Secretary Of War to tho scandals which
we're IN circulation about his connection with
Gen. Hedrick and Others Ia the sale Of poet
traderships, but Belknap paid no attention to 10.
save TO Indicate his dislike to dwell on the sub
Ject. Custer summed up his testimony by de-
clarlng that, In his opinion, the manifest and
manifold frauiulent transactions In the sale of
contracts, could not have been practised 80
long with such immunity had not Btlknap been
q corrupt man. sharing in the ill-cotten gains.
IL was surprising, lie said, that the army had
not become completely demoralized by the ex-
ample which was rot 1t 10y Its head. aud he
great proportion OF the service that II had pre-
served Its morals aud It's honor under such ctr
cum stances.
The Chairman OF the committee to-day re-
ceived the following letter from Gen. IIazen:
CRY oF MEXICO March Is. 1879.
DkAR sIR: Ine papers Of the 4th inst. brought
G IN ne o % 1ns a nap o1sc W rer
Marcn 1879, you viii nnd precisely the same Informs
sstIon wss founded. Mr., smssy iic zen tiSrk Of
the purport Of nv eVenee nhe o. rc}rS grS aiSn,
backmaing OF the post rsders and not T. The nnal dis
Position OF tie mo- ey but lie added 10 Il the presump
rhe Secretary OF War took the newspsree paragiaph
TO the President. las he has since ssd) rCmarking
MT. President hsye You sern the arlice IN INC Irib
frsdenI rsPIsd S nave aud % not believe s enc sns
word Of It," The Secretary then said. II You do be-
lcye H. am no longer n. ~ hold place In your Cab
met This tue end Of the matter. both With tho
President and Congress. leaving It question OF We
racity between tue Secretary ana myself. have
waited peticntly four years. never dOuoung bat l
hgh IN once for daring tell the respecting the
greet outrage upon tho army
My o0Jcct IRON The nrsi not only TO relieve the
army from this Outrage. hut obtain me execution ~
n most excellent lsw. passed IN 1850, requiring the
turfulrsnry Department to iulsr q, .a.stc idcn.
coo, the articles usually furnished therA by suffers
out 20 a other armies and would ne v 9rth TO the
is ucu f2tooNo' annually aud cC.tiaE nothing but
department hHs opposed tho Law from the TINT In
tag this law Aridr vitality sud value ere given the
post irsdershq- which could Too done IN way.
ht Law stli has even bcen omitted from the Revised
ttutee. TO secure thli most u-riul purpose my
only end.
In the autumn Of 1879 the Secretary visited my post
receiving my most cordial Hospitality, which Vas fully
served together IN III war. therefore wrote HIM
sincere lrttur looking TO eEch rV1u, although felt
entitled to some repataton having for four years cxpe
rcnr"f fu sense ut the wrong inflicted hY Che
Secretary IN hs virtual denial 10 the President Of my
truthful report The secretary did not ~ TO reply
% my letter then concluded TO let the matter rest
G. wrongs. when your letter IN January, Chairman
OF the committees Ia Congress cal the
formation furnished YOU. For your compliance with
my request not to bring my name forward cOnnec.
release you FROM further Obligation that respect
VCry respectfully, &c, W. b. HAzEN,