Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-08
THE REPORT SUBMITTED 10 SEC.
RETARY SEIZURE.
Loose Manag ment on the part of COM
missioner Smith and Snbord mates.
REMARKS OF THE BOARD OF INvEsTI
CATION.
Review of the Operations of the New
York Office.


Indian service, is very elaborate and volumi-
nous document, making 80 printed pages exclusive
Of testimony.
Its conclusions in regard to the charges pre-
erred against the chief clerk of the Indian office,
have already been made public through a letter
OF Sec'y Schurz to Mr.. Gslpin.
Inc Board hnd concerning the Eastern North
carolina Cherokee matter, which was also spe-
clsiy brought TO ITS attention. that an investiga-
ton OF the controversy should be made by a court
or commission appointed bv the President and
that the delays III IT. settlement have jeopsrdiz d
the welfare of the Indians
The difficult nature of the extensive inyestiya-
tons made by the Board in regard I, the general
conduct OF the service. Is Indicated in the fellow
nj statement, which occurs III the opening por-
ton OF the report on the general subject With
gard TO the general service the Board saws:
1he regulations prescribed by the President for
the management OF the lndian affairs, and the di-
reciions from the Secretary OF the luterior seem
to have been absolutely ncces ,ary to full compli-
ance with the law but regulations or din eciops
under the statutes have been found bv his board
for the control either OF the bureau official, or
subordlnates IN the Indian service, here or else
where.
The instructions, regul ,tions and other adyices
promulgated by the Commissioner over his own
signature, have had limited effect, not having
been ngidly enforced OF iuily respected. Under
the circumstances the fact exists that 10 buIeau
or office of the government has atforde more op-
~
ment OF fraud, than has the management of the
Indian Bureau and service. The Board say that
duling the late administration of the Indian office
the commissioner and chief clerk, with three 9TH
err, namely Stenogfaphcr, Correspondence
clerk and Annuity clerk, formed group which
gave direction to al matters of Importance pass
ing through the office, aud often acted upon the
same by means OF personal nnoflaial CORES
pondence.
There is no doubt, after considering the evil
ul mo Nor Of Tho, IL
to the greater power or influence over official
matters
The evidence of the various witnesses and doc
umentary evidence, show that the commissioner
after making promises or decisions, based upon
his own CONVICTIONS refused to fulfil or execute
them, or absolutely departed fiom his own views
IN order to indulge the capiiciousness of his chief
clerk
These irregularities of correspondence and the
REIMBURSEMENT Of authority, operated to cover
questionable transactions and keep fayorte per
sons in secure positions.
Tins correspondence, with the fellowship it en-
gendered, readily spread throughout the office,
aud some continuance of il doubtless will exist
until removals are made and orders issued to
break up the evil,
The Board say they desired to interogate the
commission, upon sundry matters, and otherwi Use
to have the benefit OF any statements he might be
pleased to make, but it did not urge its request af-
ter he wrote the first to ascertain conditionay if
opN eN 4ucHNc hau pccu submitted TeHcCtlng on MS
character officer or on the purity and fiji
cency OF his administration of the business of the
office.
This was considered by the Board as an evasion
and further efforts were made to secure his at
tendance as witness.
Further in reference to the persons who imme-
diately associated in the two rooms, the evidence
shows that the chief clerk was "too strong in his
attachment" and 100 bitter an enemy" to be
inliusted with the power and prerogatives that
h.lA IN tha 9th
able to control himself and therefore could not
satisfactorily discharge the duties of high ad-
ministrative office.
After reclting various instances Of loose man
cement on the part of Commissioner Smith and
his subordinaes, the Board remarks:
The absence Of regulation, systems and meth
DDS the suppression of the charges of specifca-
ATOMS the carrying out of a semi official cores
pondence; the careless disposal of papers and rec
oids; the REIMBURSEMENT OF authority, or the del
egaton of otiici8l power TO another; the loss or
disappearance of valuable papers the unwonted
and iactious opposition to the board of Indian
Commissi 0ners; the upftness for their respective
positions of the chief clerk correspondence clerk
and others; the persecution of the chief of the
medical division and acting chief of the land di
vision the hsbitual lack OF circums pection in the
fnaLce division; the uselessness without instruc-
tons of force OF the civilization division, and fin
ally the general Decentralization of the force Of the
bureau throughout, did not afford data from which
The report contains the following review of the
operations in the New York office
In connection with the annual lettering at New
York city, for the bulk of supplies for the Indian
service, temporary OH e ha, be annually es.
tabished there, where bids have been opened
awards made and supplies inspected and shipped
This office has been III charge of q clerk detailed
from the Indian bureau, with delegated powers to
act for the commissioners in the matter of rou-
tine aud to perform such other duties incident to
the office as circumstances might require.
The board has found little to commend in the
management of the clerk 10 charge during the
past two seasons. There has been utter lack
OF system and records, marked inclinatiolr to
disregard the wishes or directions of the board of
Indian commissioners, and 10 follow only the
opinions Of certain of his associates in the Indian
bureau
Neither BY business education nor experience
was he qualified for the office. The evidence
shows that the conduct of this office has been IT,
regular and defective. The following paragraph
is self explanatory.
Agents have disbursed money on account of
subsistence for employees without receiving in re-
turn payment from employees. La such cases the
Indian bureau has failed to suspend the allow
ance of such disbursements.
1t is believed that at many agencies the agents
and chief employees use for themselves and fsm-
lies, subsistence supplies purchased for the sole
use of the Indians
1t is shown that the powers of contract used are
invitations the part of the Indian bureau to the
commission of fraud by contractors, and that q
radical change is imperatively demanded by com
mon sense and the simplest business principles.
As an instance of the prevalence OF lrregulsrty
during the late administration Of Indian affairs, 1t
is asserted that seldom, il ever, request for
a concession made by q contia actor or agent refus-
ed by the Indian bureau TINS single statement
speaks volumes for the weakness or inefic iencv if
nothing else of those to whose care the Indian at
fairs WAS Immediately entrusted.
The report contains tie following passing note
concerning affairs at the Pawnee agency. The
evidence under this head is in a small compass
and speaks Tor itself. NJ conclusion or recon.
mendation on the part of the members of the
board making this report with regard 10 the state
Of affairs which exis ed at the Pawnee agency as
late as March last, and may still exist, will be
necessary to those who after considering the evil
dence presented, have the means at their com
msHd to reciy the loosoness OF system which
permits open fraud 10 be carried on on the border
of populous States without active measures being
taken to defeat such practices, to those who can
show to an outraged public sentiment that steal
ing from the government and the Indian win re-
ceiye its merited punishment.
In regard to the central surerintendency, the
conclusion reached by the board of Inquiry is
that the pre- sent superintendent is incompetent
and inefficient officer They say
"Iie has been terribly derelct, and that he has
failed to dstrsct Iecufy grave abuses within bis
supcfiute pdepcy aud 10 bring to lust ice snira