The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-20
WASHINGTON.

ments BY Gen. Sheridan in the latters an
nual report.
Secretary Schurz says: These statements
as far us they reflect on the conduct OF the
Indian service, are Of a sweeping and
somewhat vague nature, but II must be
assumed that Gen. Sheridan would not
have made them and permitted them to
become public hadilie not in his posses
sion specific information concerning GER
tain agencies and certain branches OF In
dian service to which these statements
may be individually applied. Gen. Sher-
idan. in his official document, gives it as
his opinion, that, with wise management,
the amounts appropriated by. Congress
ought to DO sufficient, il practically ap-
piled 10, the exact purposes specified,
but that the "reports of the department
commanders would indicate different re:
suit, exceptin the case OF the Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail bands Of Sioux" He
would certainly not have expressed such
opinion without being acquainted in de-
tail with the appropriations made by Con-
gress and the specific purposes for which
they were intended. II is also to be sup
posed that before making the sweeping
charge above quoted, he was cognizant OF
the specific cases in which these appropri-
ations were not either applied at all, or
diverted from the purpose intended by
Congress. You will greatly oblige me by
requesting Gen. Sheridan to communicate
such facts as may be in his possession, civ.
ing the names OF the agents, dates and
other circumstances which warrant the
charge, which includes all the In
dian agencies in MISSOURI except
those Of Red Cloud and Spotted Tail
Sioux. II has been my constant and earn
est endeavor since l entered upon my
present duties to correct all abuses in the
Indian service that came TO my knowledge,
and General Sheridan by furnishing such
specific information would thereby render
greater service TO this Department, as
well as to the Indians, than by mere gen.
eral statements. AS he has put forth a
sweeping charge, the specifications may
Justly be called for. make this request
with asparticular urgency In Wow OF the
fact that certain military officers seem OF
late to have fallen into the habit of indulg.
ing officially and probably in general
reelection on the Indian service,
without taking the trouble Of substanti-
ating them with such statements in de-
tail US would facilitate the discovery and
correction OF abuses. i do not deprecate
criticism at ALL % rather invite 1T; but
when Sit Is officially put forth there is, 1t
seems to me, certain fairness due from
one branch OF the public service to anoth-
or. should, forinstance, not deem just any
officer OF this Department in blaming in
general terms, the army forits failure to
Intercept the runaway Chcyennes on their
march OF several hundred miles through
Kansas and Nebraska, and across the
Union Pacific Railroad, without being able
10 point TO certain instances Of misman:
agement or neglect. II such instances had
come to the knowledge of this Depart
ment, which they have not, / should have
considered II duo to the army that they be
specifically asccrtained and stated, before
indulging in q general arraignment. l
think that 1t Is not asking too much in the
interest Of the public service that such a
rule be Observed by the officers OF the
army likewise. -.,.--..- -,----l-..,.-.. -.
General SSeridan's intimation that Red
Cloud and Spotted Tail Sioux, were allow
cd to select their present location, owing
To systematic working up" OF q case by
the traders and contractors, is also
made the subject OF emphatic conf
ment by Secretary Schurz in his report.
lie states that this policy was adopted by
the Department on the earnest advice OF
the distinguished Indian fighter and man
agcr, Gen. Crook, who as result Of his
long experience with the Sioux, opposed
any policy that would force the Sioux
against their unanimous and determined
protest to stay onthe Missouri River, as So
riously endangering our peaceful relations
with those powerful tribes, and the Secre-
tary adds that so fur, at least, their loyal
conduct seems to have justified the course
adopted
Secretary Schurz challenges Gen. Sheri-
dan TO produce evidence in support of his
imputations, and meanwhile remarks that
it would not have been asking too much OF
him TO inform himself a little better OF the
circumstances before publishing his asser-
tions in Official documents.
Tho Secretary also makes the following
comment on the remark Of General Glib
bon, "that there Is an entire absence OF re-
sponsibility in the Indian service" II
General Gibbon, when writing his report,
was cognizant OF specific cases Of wrong
doing he would have obliged the Depart
ment by reporting them, and il after such
report tho charges thus made had not
been inquired into and the guilty persons
held to the proper responsibility,
the sweeping statements contained In his
reports would be accepted as justified. II
he will communicate such specific infor-
nation now he will find there Is no such
lack OF responsibility rs he alleges. Sew
eral employees in the Indian service who
arc now under criminal prosecution have
discovered this at their cost.
MINISTER PosrRR's VIEWS oS MEXICAN TRADE.
Hon. John G. Foster, United States
Minister to Mexico, in response to request
from the Manufacturers Association OF the
Northwest, has prepared and sent to the
State Department, an elaborate. paper to
be transmitted TO the above named associa-
ton, giving the results careful study con-
cerning heprospects and available means
for an extension OF our commerce with
Mexico Mr.. Foster states that the pro-
hibitory tariff and the revolutionary con-
dition OF Mexico, form great obstacles to
any extended foreign trade, and until
they arc removed our merchants will
as general thing continue to find
more inviting markets elsewhere, but he
asserts, nevertheless, that there Is limit
Il ed fold which may be occupied by Amer
leans, and regards II as entirely feasible
and saic for American manufacturers to
continue their efforts in kindred branches,
and establish in the City OF Mexico ware
houses for tho exhibition and sale OF the
products of their factories. In this way
local merchants and consumers willhaye
practical display OF the superior merits
OF American goods and wares, and their
sale can be gradually increased and a per-
manont market created.
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