Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-20
soHuRz TO SHERIDAN.

soHURZ TO SHERIDAN.
WASHINGTON Nov. 19.-The secretary of war
has received and referred to Gen. Sherman a
letter from the secretary of the interior sharp
~ replying to certain statements by Gen. Sher-
1dan In the latters annual report. Secretary
Schurz says: These statements as far as they
reflect upon the Indian service, are of sweep
ing and somewhat vague nature but it must
be assumed that Gen. Sheridan would not have
made them and permitted them to become pub
lie, had he not in his possession specific infor
nation concerning certain agencies and certain
branches of the Indian service to which these
statements may be individually applied. Gen.
Sheridan in his official document gives it as his
opinion that with wise management the amounts
appropriated by Congress ought to be suffi
Gent. If practically applied TO the exact pur-
poses specified, but that reports of department.
commanders would Indicate different result
except in the case of the Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail bands of Sioux. He would certainly not
have expressed such opinion without being
acquainted in detail with the appropriations
made by Congress and the specific purposes for
which they were intended. 1t is also to be
supposed that before making the sweeping
charge above quoted he was cognizant of the
specific cases in which these appropriations
were not either applied at all, or diverted from
the purpose intended by Congress.
You will greatly oblige me by requesting
den. Sheridan to communicate such facts as
may be in his possession, giving the names of
agents, dates and other circumstances which
warrant a charge, which includes all Indian
agencies in the military division of the Mis-
souri,, except those of Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail Sioux. 1t has been my constant and earn
est endeayor, since l entered upon my present
duties, to correct all abuses in the Indian SER
vice chat came to my knowledge, and Gen.
Sheridan, by forwarding such specific informa-
ton, would Thereby render greater service to
this department, as well as to the Indians, than
by mere general statements. AS he has put
forth sweeping charge, the specification may
justly be called for.
! make this request with particular urgency
In view of the fact that certain military officers
seem of late to have fallen into the habit of
lndulging officially and probably in general
reflection on the Indian service without taking
the trouble of substantiating, with such state
ments in detail, as wonld facilitate the discov-
cry and correction of abuse. do not deprecate
criticism at all. / rather invite it. But when
it is officially put forth there is, it seem to me-
q certain fairness due from branch of the
public service to another. / should, for
instance, not deem any officer of
this department justified in blaming
In general terms the army for It's failure to in
tercept the runaway Cheyennes on their march
of several hundred miles through Kansas and
Nebraska, and across the Union Pacific railroad,
without being able to point out certain in
stances OF mlsmanagement or neglect. If such
instances had come to the knowledge of this
department, which they have not I.should
have considered it due to the army that they be
specifically ascertained and stated before in
dulgng in general arraignment. l think it is
not asking too much IN the interest of the pub
lie service that such rule be observed by officers
OF the army likewise. Gen. Sheridan's
intimation that the Red Cloud and Spotted
Tail Sioux were allowed to select their present
locations, owing to Systematic working up of
case by traders and contractors is also made
the subject of emphatic comment by Secretary
Schurz. He states that this policy was adopt
ed by the department on the earnest advice of
the distinguished Indian fighter and manager,
Gen. Crook, who, as the result of his long exper-
fence with the Sioux, opposed any policy that
would force the Sioux, against their unanimous
and determined protest, to stay on the Missouri
river as seriously endangering our peaceful re-
lations with those powerful tribes; and, the
secretary adds, that so far, at least their loyal
conduct seems to have justified the course
adopted.
Secretary schurz challenges Gen. Sheridan to
produce evidence in support of his i'm putations,
and meanwhile remarks that it would not have
been asking too much of him to inform himself
little better Of the circumstances before pub
fishing his assertion in an official document.
The secretary also makes the following COM
nlent upon the remark of Gen. Gibbon that
there Is an entire absence of responsibility in
the Indian SERVICE" IL Gen. Gibbon, when
writing his report, was cognizant OF specific
cases of wrong-doing, he would have obliged
the department by reporting them, and
1T after such report the charges thus
made had not ben inquired into and
fpa emil u hold - HI,
slblllty, the sweeping statements contained in
his report would have been adopted as justified.
Ii he will communicate with specific infor-
nation now, he will find there is no such lack
of responsibility as he alleges. Several en-
ployes In the Indian service who are now under
criminal prosecution have discovered this at
their cost.
TRADE WITH MEXICO.
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
elaborate papers to be transmitted to the above
named association. giving the results of careful
study concerning the prospects and available
means for the extension of our commerce with
Mexico. Mr. Foster states that the prohibitory
tariff and revolutionary condition of Mexico
form great obstacles to any extended foreign
trade, and until they are removed our mer-
chants Will, as general thing. continue to find
more Inviting markets elsewhere; but he as
serts, nevertheless, that there is a limited
field which may be occupied by Americans, land
regards it as entirely feasible and safe for
American manufacturers to continue their
efforts in kindred branches, and establish in
the City OF Mexico warehouses for the exhibi-
ton and sale of products of their factories. In
this way local merchants and consumers will
have practical display of the superior merits
of American goods and wares. and their sale
can be gradually increased and permanent
market created.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The session of the cabinet to-day was of short
duration, routine matters only being consid-
cred.
Subscriptions to the per cent. loan to-day,
Sl,208, $50.
Western Association of Railroad Agents.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. ia Kansas City dispatch
says representatives OF twenty-four railway
lines vest of the Mississippi river met is this
| city to-day and organized the Western Associa-
ton of General Passenger and Ticket Agents.
adopting constitution and by-laws for its