The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-20
MR.. SCHURZ STRIKING BACK.
GEN. SHERIDINS CHIRGEs AG1INST
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
Those who live In Glass Houses Shouldn't
Throw Stones-A Quarrel Begun between
the Interior md the War Depnrtment.

Ih0sc VINO lave IN GLASS houses hhouidnt
Throw stones-A Quarrel Begun between
the Interior and the War Department
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1o.-Tho letter adj
dressed by Mr. Schurz to the dc facto Secre-
tary OF War, and made public to-day. is the
beginning Of quarrel between the War and
Interior Departments Tho officers OF tho
Indian Bureau have been for some timo COM
planning OF the injustice with which they havo
been treated in the reports OF army officers.
but the letters addressed to the War Depart
mcnt asking for proof O. q particular state
mont Of the vague charges made. have been
left unanswered. In several particulars the
Indian ONCE will be able to make an excellent
showing when the entire subject comes up for
inquiry before Congress. and the light which
will be thrown on the careless preparations OF
the army will be by no means to tho credit OF that
branch ofthc service. In the case the Bannock
rising in particular, tho report Of the Indian
agent predicting trouble came back from the
War Department with Shermans endorsement
that the agent was unduly scared. and. in the
| face Of the protests Of TIE Indian Bureau, two
companies OF infantry and three Of cavalry were
moved from tho reservation to easier quarters
| nj Salt Lake. nj n time when their continued
presence would have prevented tho departure
| OF the Indians on their long raid. Another
| instance in which the advice Of n military officer
was followed rather than thnt of the civil agents
of the Bureau Is given in Mr. SchurHs letter.
| Tho facts on Ole in the Bureau in regard to the
escape Of the Cheyennes are also not OF a charAc-
| ter to reflect credit on the vigilance OF the mill
| tary officers at the post
| Mr.. Schurz. in his letter, sharply criticises
| certain statements made in Gen. Sheridans
| annual report. and says
Gen sheridan in an official document, gives 1t as his
propratcd by Congress ought 10 he Sufficient nrac
ideally applied the exact purposes spccncd' but that
the reports ofthe department commanders would in.
9cs,s Ssent re.a except T. The cIie ct 9a R s,
ainy have expressed such an opinion without being
Congress aud dc spccac pGrpo,e ier which they we're
Intended 1t also 10 be supposed that before making
| ot the specific eases IN which those Gppro
diverted from 'hc purpose intended by Congress You
sum ae se t & he n zen ssGAp NV
ing names Of agents, dates and other circumstances
cics the Military Division the Missouri except those
constant endeavor since entered upon my
ecn, duties to correct all abuses IN The Indian service
mshne such srccihc information would thereby render
Inc Indians. Than 6y mere general .,ateme nj.
A. he has ut forth sweepns charse tile speoineaiions
ueular usency ~ view Of The net that certain military
dugg officially and publicly In genera reflections on
l. l9an Mlto.t ahiils ll' ,'9h' 10 ~
Ciato the discovery aud correction " abuses DO not
!, officially put forth there IS II e,ust 60 me certain
other should not Tor Instance deem au, ofccr Of ths
tpaimen Justified N anins ~ srnctal term, ne army
their march Of several hundred miles through Kansas
aul NtiiAskA ana across the Nuu lhflN| Railroad.
without being able to point uut certain instances 20 mis-
manage or neglect II such instances had come 10
the knowledge " THIS department. which tluy have not.
should have cunsitcfcdu due 60 tue army that they bc
general arraignmcnt think iti- not asking too much
90 she int rest ui TIE public service that such rule De
observed Boy officers o' the army likewise.
Gen Sheridan's ntimation that Red Cloud
and spotted Tail Sioux were allowed TO select
their present locations owing to a systematic
| working up OF tho cHS"' by traders and con-
tractors. Is also made the subject Of emphatic
| comment 10y Secretary S'hurA He says that
| this policy was adopted oy the department on
fighter and manager. Con. Crook who. ms the re-
suit ot his long experience with the Sioux. OPP
| posed any policy that would force the Sioux
| against their unanimous and determined pro-
test TO stay on tho Missouri River. as seriously
endangoring our peaceful relations with those
| powerful tribes. and the Secretary adds that 50
FAR AZ least their loyal conduct seems 20 have
| justified the course adopted. Secretary Schur2
challenges Gen Sheridan 10 produce evidence
| would not have been asking too much Of him to
inform himself little better Of tho circum-
stances. before publishing his assertions in AN
| official document The Secretary also mnkce
| the following comment upon the rennrk Of Gen.
| Gibbon that there 10 an entire absence OF
responsibility in the Indian service"
| lfGcn GhhHn. when wrtns his r,port was cocnlsant
~ SPECIFIC cases eff wroncdunE Doe woui have nhi. d
the department hN reporting th,n, and Do. alter such
| report. the CHANCES titus made had been inquire
into and The guilty persons held o their PROPER rsans
htfN the sweeping statements contained m his report
such specific Information now De will md that hcr, h
900 such lack OF responsibility hc alleges several
luNtes 90 the Indian ~rNcc. who are now under cram
ual prosecution. have discovered this AZ their cost