The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-05

WASHINGTON, December 4.-The Treas
ury purchased about 400, 600 ounces Of sill
yer to-day at trihe below London rates
SENATOR SARGENT.
Senator Sargent is better to-day. No
dead as rumored.
CONFIRMED By THE SENATE.
The Senate confirmed to-day r. B. Har.
rison, Of Indiana, Assaye at Helena
Montana.
ACCIDENT TO ALEX. STEPHENS. .aH
Hon. Alex. Stephens to-day, while as
cending the stone steps leading to the
House on crutches, slipped and fell, caus
ing painful wrench Of his knee, which
will probably. confne him to his room fol
some time 10 come. . 4~
NOMINATED BY THE PRESIDENT.
The President to-day sent to the Senate
large number OF nominations, most oi
them being for the confirmation Of ap.
pointments made duringthe recess, among
them the following: Halbert E. Paine, ol
Wisconsin, to be Commissioner OF Patents
Lewis Wallace, OF Indiana, TO be Governor
Of New Mexico and Algernon S. Badger,
Postmaster ut New Orleans. ~
CONCERNING THE INDIAN BUREAU.
The joint committee, having under con-
sideration the proposition of transferring
the Indian Bureau to the War Depart
ment, met to-day. The first witness was
DR.. A. C. Barlow, of Providence, r. l.,
Chairman OF the Board OF Indian Commits
sioners and representing the Congrega-
tional Church in behalf OF the education
and conversion OF the Indians. He said,
in his judgment, the proposed transfer
was unwise; that il effected it would work
adversely to the Christian operations now
in progress. He recited at length
many interviews had with army otfi-
GERS on the subject, and said that
those favoring the transfer seemed to have
but one reason, viz: That the War De-
partment paid better salaries for similar
duty than did the Department OF the In
terror. He thought it impossible for the
body OF Indian Commissioners to work as
harmoniously with the army officials as 1t
did with, the civilians, aud gave as his
reason, that: the army was formed for-war,
to subduessenemies and TO retain peace,
rather than to promote civilization, relig-
ion and friendship
In his opinioninfiye years time, under
supervision OF Christian discipline, the
entire Indian race could be civilized for
.one.half the amount of money which
would necessarily be expended in the
event OF their being placed under the War
Department, and under the former plan,
in the time mentioned, he was sure tEat
the aid OF the military to keep the Indians
peaceful, would be no more required than
Il is at present in our States. He conced.
ed that there are some very goodSmen in
the army, but did not think them adapted
to the requirements oflndian agents, and
was positive that they are incapable Of
promoting religion, civilization, &c.
+. ". Kingsley, OF New fo:k, member
OF the Board OF Indian Commissioners and
representing the Presbyterian sect, also
Chairman OF the Purchasing Committee,
was next asked to present his views. He
said "wo need an army with hoes and
spades for the Indians rather than with
swords and rifles" II the commission Sc
desired he would produce the books Of his
office for every expenditure made by the
Board and where purchases were made
where forwarded, and the disposition
made Of the same. He defended the In
dian agents Us body and said their
''wholesale abuse" was unwarranted.
With reference to creation OF contracts
by the Indian Beaureau he said he did no
accept the criticisms OF the War Depart
ment onthe sub bject, and consideredit 'epooj
gracev for that Department to offer II, con
sidering the rascally contracts which pas
sed through the hands OF its officials dur
ing the late war. The great mass OF al
the religious denominations Throughout
the. country favored q continuation OF tn,
existing peace policy. Should q transie
be made the board would not feel tina
they had any action Of sympathy in th'
goodiwork done.,y E'Ii -" fA-
The Board had in many instances been
demoralized by the surrounding military
posts. To his knowledge there was NJ
existing antagonism between the various
religious denominations.
The Commission adjourned till Friday
when Secretary Schurz and Indian Com
missioner Haiyt are expected to give theil
views on the subject.
L NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The Greenbackers will open bureauil
this city. Mr.. F. p Devices, OF Pottsville
Pa, has been elected Permanent Chair
man OF the National Executive Committe'
OF the party, and is going TO take up hi
residence 10 this city, and establish head
quarters here. ..
Senator Chaffec, rs well as Senate
Jones, has had fortunate summer. !
silver mine, in which Chatfee owns one
half interest, has been developed durinI
Ethe last few months so. that it pays an In
come OF s., 200 day, Senator Chattee thu
I receiving 81, 500 daily from this mine ant
SIS daily from salary as Senator:
Bics were opened to-day for furnishin
the interior ironworlsof the new Custom
house building in Chicago. The highes
bidder was the Union Foundry, OF Chica
20. and the lowest Henry Blandy, G
Zanesyille, Ohio, TO whom the contraC
will be given. 49,.
The reports that Ben Butler is prepal
ing 4 speech on bull-dozlng In Massaghr
Isctts, Is true. He intends that Il shall b
fhe greatest effort Of his life up to date
The Democrats are encouraging him !
this as means Of drawing attention trol
the South.
| It noted that more members than ust
4 al are avoiding the high.priced hotels IN
seeking cheaper accommodation :
member explains this by saying that elet
tons cost so much more than formerl
that they have 10 economise in board bill
10 meet the assessments.
In the Cabinet meeting to-day there va
lconsIderable talk OF the favorable impre.
sion made by the message, and . unan
NOUS opinion expressed that Fernand
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