The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-16
Triumph OF the Indian Ring.

The stronghold of the Indian Ring, so
fnr rs legislation is concerned, is in the
Senate of the United states. During the
asceudency of the Republicans i'll the
House. the leading members of the Com
mttee on Indian Affairs and Others from
'6Hr.MnrsrvSstF easwsH. ffsa - fsses.s ~ st.A.as
the chief agent of this venal business since
the enforced exile of Brother HARLAN has
been smooth Mr. WILLIAM WINDOW of
Minnesota.
When WINDOW was elected 10 the Senate,
he was openly charged with having paid
$4,000 TO procure the seat which he now
b Ids, and which he is generally believed
e. have utilized for personal objects,
without much concealment He il the in-
innate friend and supposed confederate Of
BILL KING" of Minnesota, who figured
10 conspicuously in the Pacific Mail sub
indy, with about one hundred aud fifty
thousand dollars in his pocket for contiu-
gencies.
One of the FIRST acts of the present House
was to investigate the corrupt contracts.
tohbery frauds, and swindling Of the in
dian Ring. Taken in connection with tue
previous developments, the committee
same to the conclusion that the only prao-
heal remedy was TO transfer the Indian
Bureau from the Interior To the War Do
partment. The country conceded with
his policy, and II would now be a law but
Tor the unqualified opposition of the Sen
Ate, led 10y the bcueiciares of the Ring
The official figures of the Treasury show
hat the expenditures for the Indians
under GRANT have more than doubled
hose Of any former Administration,
when the tribes were much larger than
they now are, aud greater obstacles had 10
be encountered in their treatment. Be
tween TWO and three millions a wear have
been stolen regularly since 1863. and di-
vldod between the Ring chiefs in and out Of
Congress. the Indian Bureau, the Interior
Department, aud the favored contractors
large sum was set aside for political
uses. so as 10 smooth the road at Washing
ION and TO help elect Senators aud Repre-
HntatIvts whose votes aud influence were
needed.
The House of Representatives proceeded
upon the idea that the bureau would
BE- transferred, and therefore cut OF the
usual appropriations for its support.
Other reforms were also introduced which
the total Indian expenses for last year.
These reductions were perfectly practical
Die, without in any way interfering with
the efficiency of the service. Indeed, they
were intended 10 promote vigor, honesty,
and fidelity.
As soon rs the House developed its pur-
pose TO economic on the appropriation
tIls' the Senate and the party organs,
leconded by the President. cried ont that
"'Xisiiur Laws would be repealed with
oAt the usual forms. They knew that
offices had been created, salaries raised.
patronage multiplied. and the worst par
u''n legislation carried, rs riders ON the
appropriations by Themselves. But when
was proposed to reverse THIS system. and
70 substitute rctrcuchment forprodlruIitv
then us authors turned round to as.a,
tbelr own methods, though relieved of rho
very worst features.
In order to meet this objection on the
Indian Bureau, the House passed an ulo-
pendent bill for the transfer. aLd sent II
h. the Senate on the 18th Of April. nearly
Iour months ago. The committee in that
body, with MIR. W. 10. ALLtsoS OF Credit
hobllier fame n Chairman never touched
u. They stited the proposition wilfullv,
ana would not allow It to be brought be-
forc the senate for discussion. That action
was part OF the programme for thwart-
~" inc House in It's intended reductions.
'""Se with the bureuu removed to the
'Aa'ge Of army officers and the old Rim. !