Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-17

and es,,msts the agent and j. Their
whole herd. Now the agent must render a
certified wefgher's return for all animals re-
ceived. Formerly purchases and contracts
were made with firms who were favoriteS
Now there is free and fair competition. An
marks are removed from the samples demand
ed for inspection. and the selections are made
by diSintereSted experts from such as are ad-
judged to be the best bargains for the govern
ment. Formerly Indian traders were permit
TED TO charge whatever prices they might elect
controlled by the Indian office. Formerly an
Indian might be charged two or three times
as much as white man for the same
hidden to make any distinction in prices,
under PAIN of the forfeiture Of their licenses.
Formerly the Indians were imposed upon by a
system OF brass checks, tokens and store tick
cts. Now, traders are forbidden to use any
thing but money. Formerly, contracts were
made with Indians for collecting claims
against saSl s the goyeTnment, by which attorneys
which were collected. Now, ali contracts
made with Indians must be approved by the
COMMISSIONER OF Indian Affairs and the Secre
tary OF the Interior before attorneys can have
any standing in the Indian office; and il con
tracts are approved, attorneys are obliged to
show what services they have rendered before
any payments can be made Formerly, claims
against the government for depredatfons CON-
mltied by Indians could be sworn through,
ana would be paid without investigation.
1.-THE OF the sums which We're formerly paid
government
The present system of auditing the claims
which are presented to the Indian office for
adjustment, viz their examination i'm the I'm.
Dian Office; their review by the board of Indian
cemimlssloners their REORGANIZATION in the
offices of the Secretary of the Interior, the sec
ond auditor, and second controller, renders it
almost impossible for a fraudulent claim to be
ceiilected; col 1t is inconceivable that all the
hnn dc
lore payment can be made, will coude To pass
dishonest claim.
Today an Indian agent cannot of his own
motion purchase and pay for such things as he
may select for the use of his Indians He must
first submit his proposition, with written ex
planatlOn and estimates of the cost to the
Commissioners of Indian Affairs, who, if h9 ap-
proves OF the proposition and the estimate,
transmits it to the Secretary of the Interior.
with his recommendation that the agents re.
quest De granted and that he be authorized to
making the purchase If the Secreta y ap
proves, he authorizes the purchase, limi ing
the amount to be expended. The Com
MISS missioner p then notifies the agent and di-
Tor sealed proposals to furnish the articles
needed. When the bids are opened they are
numbered, an abstract of them made out, and
the award made to the lowest bidder. A CON
tract Is then drawn up, OF which four copies
are made and signed by the contractor and
agent one OF these is given to the contractor,
are sent to Washington, accompanied by a
bond given for the fulfllment of the contract
by the contractor, under oath of disinterested.
ness by the agent. OF the three copies sent to
Washington, one is sent to the Treasury de-
partment, one to the Indian office of the fnte-
rl0r department containing sworn statement
y 6y the agent that the copy of the bids
furnished in true one, &c, and the other is
sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for
his approval. Having approved it he sends it
TO the board OF Indian commissioners for their
70 fh.a 90
OF the Interior for his approval and transmits
sion TO the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs.
The agent is then notified of the approval of
the contract, and he in turn notifies the con.
tractor and calls upon him to deliver the
goods. AS they are delivered they are in.
speeted by an Indian inspector, who gives
which is forwarded to the Com nissi ,ner of
Indian Affairs and the other delivered
TO the contractor, who also receives receipt
for the goods from the agent. The contractor
then transmits the agents receipt and inspec.
tors certificate to the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, Who demands payment They are
then examined in the Indian Office, and tally
ing with the CONTRACT requirements, they ar,
forwarded to the Second Auditors Office of
the Treasury department to be audited. From
there they are sent to the Second Controller
Tor legal inspection and final examination. II
FOUND correct they are returned to the Secon
Auditor, who then notifies the Commissioner
OF Indian Affairs that the claim has been
audited and found correct. The Commissioner
then draws on Interior department warranS on
the Treasury department, and returns it to the
Second Auditor; thence it is sent to the Comp
trOller'S office. and thence to the warrant di.
vision OF the Treasury department, whence a
treasury warrant Is issued for the amount
which has been allowed. The Treasury war.
rant is then sent to the U. S. Treasurer, who
draws draft for the amount specified and
goods.
In addition to the three inspectors who
were formerly allowed, there are now two
special agents connected with the bureau
With this force and a proper administration
OF the business there need be no difficulty i'm
detecting frauds and reforming the same.
Time alone is needed.