The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-27


are these frauds and defiant have their perpe-
traitors become that it appears to be notorious fact
that ring exists composed OF contractors employes
OF the bureau and wealthy and influential persons
outside whose object is to swindle and deiraud both
the government and the Indians.
The opinion entertained by the undersigned is
that these frauds will forever exist. with the
most vigilant and scrupulous honesty which can be
brought into the management of the Indian Bureau.
because We believe the method system OF that de-
partment is inadequate to prevent fraud however
honest the head OF the Office may be- and for the
reason that the system of accountability IN the de-
partment is not close enough to detect corruption.
As the matter now stands there must OF necessity be
too much ntruted to the hands of agents for whose
faithful Discharge OF duty we have no security save
their individual fidelity and honor, which, alas has
too often failed when put into the balance with an
opportunity to make gain for themselves.
EFFECT OF THE TRANSFER.
We are asked the very pertinent question whether
or not the same abuses and frauds would be practiced
II the management should be transferred to the War
Department. We think not. for few and very plain
and obvious reasons, to wit:-Whateyer else
as class, men OF high honor and
strict integrity Their training has impressed these
high qualities upon them, and their association re-
'lnires their constant observance. Every officer in
the army is u check upon every other officer. and
such is the system OF accountability in the army
that it is nearly ii not quite impossible for officer
to act dishonesty without being detected,
and upon being detected punishment follows
swiftly and surely. Allowing that these
officers very much other men, better,
worse class (and certainly We do not claim for
them any natural superiority in this regard over
Otlcr ncu sui an army Olnccf MS
sion for life or during good behavior; upon this he
depends for his living. 1T is his meat and drink If.
therefore, he had no higher incentive TO act honestly
these powerful reasons constantly remind
ing him that Honesty is the best policy.
With the civil agents this is not the They
appointed generally as partisans, and for limited
time, subject at any time to removal. and paid
small salaries and only hope to hold the position
for few years at most and hence they have not the
same inducements to act honestly and fairly
that army officer has. We do not UNI
dertake to say that the War Department is
do not i'll its administration also but think
it compares favorably with any other department.,
and that fewer instances of dishonest practices have
been laid to its charge than to almost any other
branch of the public service.
COST OF THE TWO SYSTEMS.
Next to the question of absolute justice to the In
dams that Of the comparative cost OF the two
systems, and decidedly of the opinion
tina. a large amount of money can and Will
be saved il this transfer is made. Although the
evidence is conflicting and somewhat unsatisfactory
with regard to the purchase and transportation of
goods and supplies, we cannot why the War De-
partment cannot purchase as cheaply and transport
much more cheaply than the Interior Department.
its system, of purchase being quite as com
greatly superior. By far the greatest expense
is attributable to the frequent disturbances and
periodical Indian wars these troubles. in the
opinion Of men of large experience, being caused
principally by the unfaithtulEess of Indian agents
and others connected with the purchase transporta-
ton and delivery of Indian supplies. The failure to
honestly distribute supplies has cost the country
many millions OF dollars and many. very many vau-
able lives.
Then If it be true that army officers perform
the duties OF Indian agents faithfully, diligently
and honestly as the civil agents have and are
doing, and il the War Department can purchase
cheaply the Indian Bureau, and II the
means OF transportation in the War Department
are so much superior, and if the sys-
tens of inspection are equal and if army
officers not apt to become the victims
of temptation, and if We can secure more faithful
and honest administration through army officers,
and thereby avoid some ii not all OF the Indian wars
say II these any number of these propositions
millions of dollars in Indian management il this
transfer is made, and at the time secure that
justice to the Indians the lack of which has caused
so much trouble.
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
1t is said by some that If the transfer is made it
means the practical humiliation the Indians This
is very unfair. We could contemplate such result
with other feelings than those OF horror and dis
gust The proposition is an absurdty upon its face,
everybody knows. In case of war with the Indians
the soldiers do the fighting; the civil agents never;
and it is but reasonable that of all men, the soldiers
would be the last to provoke it: Again. it is
stated that the Indians making wonderful
advancement i'll the arts of civilization
but do not see how this progress
will be retarded in any degree by simply substituting
military officers for civil agents. We believe that
under the proposed system the Indians Will receive
quite as much encouragement in all industrial pur-
suits Us now and that under the exacttudes OF army
regulations in furnishing supplies and food our In
dian tribes will enter upon career OF activity and
prosperity which has not characterized them under
the present management.
Another serious objection to the present system is
the divided 'two-headed' responsibility which
exists. This mixed double accountability often
produces conflict of opinion between the agent and
the officer in command and that concert of action is
not secured which is necessary to the successful
operation Of a complete system.
PRESENT ADMINISTRATION.
1t may be said in vindication OF the present sys-
that the present Secretary of the Interior and
the present head of the Indian Bureau using their
best efforts purify their service by cleansing 1t of
round it. This may be true, and, so far We know
have reason to believe, is true, and we
feel that 1t is but Just to these officers
to state that we believe that they are
making honest effort to purify and elevate
our Indian management and trust their efforts
may be successful as far as the system itself will
allow. But with the present methods of keeping
accounts with agents. to whom large amounts OF
money and large quantities of goods and other
Indian supplies are entrusted do not
how it is possible to free the service from fraud
and pccuation long dishonest may
creep into these positions FOR there seems to be no
security for honest appropriation of these large
sums by agents except the honor Of the agent him
self which too often has been found wanting in these
times of greed and avarice. With the army officer
we could least have the security of the knowledge
upon his part that the price of his treachery would
be his official head, and his future and everlasting
disgrace.
TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED.
The report concludes as follows
In view therefore. of the reasons presented and
after careful consideration of all the circumstance
surrounding the question, weighing the reasons for
and against rs best can. and not unnindtul of the
difficulties surrounding the question. we believe that
the interest OF the government ana the good or the
Indian will be best promoted by transferring
the management of Indian affairs to the
War Department. leaving ii discretionary with
the Secretary of War to appoint civil agents to those
agencies which, in his judgment. the interest of all
concerned would be best secured by such an agent
ana officers of the army where the interest of the
service require it, This conclusion we have reached
after a patent and candid investigation of
the whole question. far as we have
been able 10 understand it. Nor have
relied alone upon the statements and opinions
Of the failures of the present system or its
fecbcncss want OF capacity to compass this great
question or bring IL to creditable issue but a ma
FORTY of the committee have seen with their own
eyes and heard with their own ears. while among the
Indians sufficient IT We had Others. 10 jus
tify their minds every conclusion to which we
have arrived. Having spent nearly two months
in visiting the Indian country and the different
Indian tribes scattered the West, our observa
tons aud personal inspection of their present cond
ton and future prospects. far were able 10
judge OF them, have strengthened and confirmed
us in the correctness of the views cnun-
cia,ed in this report Our object has been
not TO cmbclish and up the real qucs-
lions involved in this important inquiry propoundcd
to us by the two houses of Congress as To- what
should bc the action of the government in relation