The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-07

one Of these contractors was convicted. Now. he
should DE very slow to assert that the army onceis'
as such, had dishonest tendencies He thought the
army deserved. WHOLE its reputation for honesty;
tat Is 70 say for honest Intentions yet 1T womb De
absurd to such class of inaccessible TO
the bad impulses of human nature.
COMPARATIVE COST.
General Marcy had stated that while the admin
istration OF the War Department cost $l,S0O0o0.
the Indian Department cost s5,00o00o difference OF
f3.2o0.000 Such comparison absurd. The
Indian business in ls49 nothing what it had
now become. He read statement OF the amount
paid per 100 pounds Of beef by the departments
for the Indian Bureau and the military which showed
saving of S644 900 in favor of tho former General
Miles had stated that the transportation of the army
cost s4,OOOOoO while the transportation of food,
clothing &c. for the Indians only cost $225 00O
glance would show that the Department of the In
He did not tt attribute ispsA amy Of these things
to the dishonesty Of the army but rather
n saarr wy 81 and M
If was thought to be necessary As instance. he
mentioned that at the close of the Sioux war there
were about twenty thousand horses ponies and
mules taken from the Indians. for which cows were
to be given to them and ii turned out that these po
mics and mules cost s1942 81 besides the cows. and
that to sell them cost s5,sss additional. This
an instance of their cavalier way which was not
found i'll the Interior Department.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS.
Secretary Schurz enumerated one or two other
instances of similar character and concluded his
remarks by showing that the Indians themselves
were very much to the transfer of the bureau
In the first place. he did not know whether it would
DC DeSt 10 make IL an independent department, az the
Agricultural was now. for this would entail re-
organization Of the Cabinet but he thought il would
be well to authorize the President to place such
vations of Indian tribes as might be involved in
trouble or threatened to become involved under
the control of the War Department and under martial
law ii the constitution admitted Of 1t.
Secorni-The President might be empowered to en-
ploy officers in the Indian service The inspection
force there should be increased SO that all the aaen
cies might be visited twice year instead Of
ut present. He did not know anything desira-
BILE than that the whole army of the United States
perpetual visitation OF Indian affairs and to report to
the Indian Bureau.
Taird-A measure of great importance was the in
Of the Indian police force. They had Indian
police at twenty-five stations and found them
ceedingly effective. They found perfectly rclia-
BILE in the discharge of their duty, and it would be
we'll to increase tho number-450 to 1000 or 1900.
This world relieve the military Of great deal Of the
FourM-The appropriations made by Congress for
the support of the indians should not only no ample
but should be made promptly. want Of this in the
past had created great embarrassment and much dis
satisfaction at the agencies.
FyM-An appropriation of about 100000 should
be placed in the hands Of the President for the pay
ment of the Indians who assisted the troops against
troublous tribes For instance in the late rising the
bannocks had only . few cents day. relying upon
senator's Saunders and McCreery said they had no
questions to ask tho witness
Mr.. Hooker said:-You were speaking OF state
ment made by General Marcy. in which you said it
would be improper to compare the expenditures of
the cos. Of the War Department because since then
the Indian Bureau had largely extended its opera
tons. Would not the same apply to the expenditures
OF the War Department in former years?
Secretary Schurz-I only wish to point out how
much the. Indian service was enlarged.
there were several agencies which had no military
posts
METHOD OF CALLING FOR TROOPS.
"WhAt is the method by which troops are called
upon to interfere in Indian risings?"
II think the report Of the Commissioner on Indian
affairs in Oregon with reference to the Bannock
troubles best shows that
Mr.. Hooker (severey)-I have the report before me.
sir. want to know is it the custom for the Indian
agent to call upon the officer at the post in Of
disturbance, or report to the Indian Bureau?
The Secretary-If the agent finds himself pressed
and he is u man Of sense and has soldiers in the
neighborhood he at once goes to the officer Of the
fort and the officer helps him.
Mr.. Hooker-In this case the agent did not advise
the resident officer at all Of disturbance.
The Secretary-Precisely; that is what Mr.. Donald
son was censured for
Mr.. Hooker-Is it not true that at present the gov
eminent has two agents accountabe-ac civil agent
the Indians and an officer at the fort?
The Secrctary-Iti is true. but believe 1t to be .
principle of republican government that the army
should DO under civil authority.
DISTRIBUTION OF RATIoNs
Nov. tell me-" said Mr.. Hooker chow are the
rations distributedy'
"By an actual count Of Indians by the agent and
Mr. Hooker--Hsvc you ever discovered any inaccu.
racies in those reports?
The secretary-why, certainly and to a large ex-
track Of them by the Cherokee removal which have
mentioned With regard to the Sioux. from 1873 to
the present time. think there must have been con-
siderable inaccnracies; but doubt il there are many
apprecable
.. Are you aware that several army officers have
been detailed rs agents to the Sioux Indians? A.
Certainly; that WAS done vt my request: Lieutenant
Lee took the place Of Mr. Howard ut the Spotted Tail
Q. You said something about the purchase OF sup
plies in the army department. Is not that carried
out very correctly there nowg A. am not aware;
8. Are yon aware that il is impossible for any NAL
administration Of moneys to take place in that de-
partment without detection? A. MY experience in
public affairs leads to be exceedingly sparing in
my expressions of judgment that . certain thing.
such as that you mention. is impossible. You know
that the Cherokee affair
Q. didn't mean impossible: / will say improb-
able? A. don't think it would be wise TO express
any Judgment.
q. Has the administration of Indian affairs by the
officers appointed been satisfactory? A. Precisely:
but the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies are
being settled, and the officers will then be relieved by
civil officers.
Q. Did not Mr.. Howard send in an account for ra-
tons for 9,134 Indians when there only 4,614
and were you cognHant of these facts when You
moved him? A. That was before came into Office
II You read the report of the committee appointed by
me you will find several such cases. l had them
pointed out so that they might be remeded.
q. Your opinion a. to army officers seems to be
found competent and others incompetent, the same
as civil agents? A. Internationally; but here is .
civil service interested personally in the prosperity
OF these Indians the interests OF the army might not
be identical with that prosperity.
q. II you had such men as General Crook. for in
stance? A. II all the Indian agencies could be super
intended by General Crook should have great deal
of confidence in them, but General Crooks are not
plenteous in this any other army.
The Secretary then further cross questioned
upon various other suggestions he had made. After
long talk of two hours and half in which he showed
intimate knowledge Of facts connected with Indian
management, nc retired to attend the Cabinet meet
ing.
FEELING AMONG THE INDIANS.
Mr.. +. G. Watkins of the Indian inspectors.
next called and. in reply to tho chairman, gave
his opinion that tho transfer Of the Bureau 70 the
War Department would in way benefit the Indians.
1t would discourage them in their progress toward
civilization. reduce the amount of their agricultural
lands and initiate against educational movements,
because the Indians regard the army their enemy
and they would undoubtedly protest against being
governed by force He knew the feeling of the In
dams themselves to be against the transfer. From
his own observation he found very large majority
of the Indians in favor OF working and becoming in
dependent
nuExrIrArNI