The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-10
scBURz.s RESPECTS TO SHERIDAN
The De Fncto Secretary and Commissioner
Hnyt In seIEDenence.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-Schurz replies to
Sheridan in the Indian agency controversy.
that in Sherldan's military district there are 40
Indian agencies and that Shoridans accusa-
lions apply to 40 OF them; that Sheridan after
n search OF the records. has not substantiated
his accusations. He mentions there charges
made by Sheridan. OF which Sheridan
In his supplemental report discams
tho construction put upon them. and SAYS
that II it is so difficult TO draw correct conclu-
sions from what sheridan says. 1t is unkind on
the part OF Sheridan 10 accuse him tSchurz) OF
dsingenuousness" for assuming that tho
General meant what he said. In the statements
Of Gen. Sheridan referring to matters occurring
since Mr. Schurz's appointment. only fifteen Of
the forty five agencies are alluded to. 1t is evil
dent. therefore argues Mr.. Sohurz. that in two
thirds OF the agencies tho General can find
nothing to find fault with. since his supple
mental report bears strong evidence that there
was no lack Of diligence in the search for points
to ccnsure
In regard to the remaining third OF the agen-
cies complaints are made about those agents
only who have already been dismissed and
about defects. in the business method. which
have already been remedied Agents and con-
tractors mentioned in his rcpor. are such rs
have been criminnlly prosecuted by the Depart
ment OF the Interior The business methods are
claimed to bo not only infinitely superior
to those oi the Indian service when Il was
under military management but equal to those
OF the military service itself in point OF regu-
lariiy and precision. in the system OF nccounta-
putty. IN the safeguards against fraud. and in
tho strictness OF their enforcement As
to tho suiilciency OF appropriation, Mr..
Schurz states that for the one item
over 81 100000 more than tho Indian service
received for all the food tho clothing. and the
dlAns many times larger than tho army inclu-
sive OF transportation. very large majority
OF 0ro- indian VARS have been caused. he
people upon the lnnds and rights OF
the Indians and not by Acknowledgement by
by Gen. sheridan. although much OF such mis-
management has undoubtedly taken place.
Where one war can by any possibility be traced
Government at least three can be- traced TO tho
tashncss OF military officers. Mr.. Schurz de-
dstastciul to b i'm to have been forced into n
controversy with a military officer whose ser
wees in tho Held are so conspicuously re-
corded in tho history Of this country.
Inc regulations, however. OF honorable men,
as Vol rs OF guilty officials. had been attacked
IN the Generals sweeping assertions. and 1t
WAS Mr.. Sehurz's duty 10 call for proof. Those
officers OF the Indian service that are honest
havc q right to look to the head Of
No department for the projection OF
protection they shall have. Mr.. Schurz refers
10 statement appended 10 his letter made 10y
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs +. A. Hayt
the charges contained IN Gen. Sheridan's sup
Pi,meptal report, Inclusive Of the letters H
Lieut.. Lee and Col. MINER. and fully substan-
tntrs what he tllr Schurzl says. The letter OF
Lieut.. Loo, he adds. was written six weeks after
the appearance OF Gen. Sheridans annual re-
luIt ana mus gives some color 10 Dir. SchurIs
apprehension. previously expressed. that the
general hAd made the charges prematurely.
anu might have 10 look for the evidence after
wards.
In his communication to Mr.. schurz Com
missioner liayt enumeratcs seriatm the points
made by Gen. Sheridan, and answers them
partly by positive denial on the strength Of In
dian Service reports and partly by explanations
offended To remove the sting OF the allegations.
70 statement that hunting permits were with
ned from the Comanchcs until they should fur
nish certain number 81 scholars for the
agency schools. Commissioner Hayt answers
=. This IS simply tho evidence Of n disposition
70 ind fault. lt is perfectly proper that a moral
pressure should be brought to bear to make
Indians send their children TO school."
July 1. ISIS, that ESQ lodges Of Mountain Crows
IN camp at Terrys Landing, complained that
they were without sufficient food while their
Commissioner Hnyt says:
The fact that the agent recently removed.
turned over to his successor more cattle than he
received from the contractors. and sufficient 10
make good the annual increase Of the agency
nerd. refutes this statement"
, The last OF the many charges referred to Is in
ne form Of a petition 70 the President Of the
United States from the chief and head men Of
planning OF various irregularities on the
part Of Agent Hughes. This case. the
,s'llWiTSl'u"I Buys. was lmntulhtely lnNes-
igatcd by Inspector Hammond; and although
Ne CHARGES were on ~ partly substnntiated
Hughes was removed Special attention is
paid by Commissioner Hayt 10 Lieut.. Lees
letter The Iicutennuts recommendation that
a military officer DO detailed to witness the
issue II supplies IL declared very good one
but it is added that Mr.. Schurz had already
directed tho preparation Of bill TO modify
existing laws SO that the services Of
army officers separated from their commands
may be obtained Tor this purpose. Finally and
~ retaliation. Commissioner Hayt AYERS that at
the time Lieut. Leo was an agent. his most
trusted clerk was n lrunkard and also addicted
70 another vice and that Lieut.. Lees farmer
was indicted for felony soon after Lieut.. Lee
left the agency Both OF these employees
Commissioner Hayt says. were promptly dis
missed By Special Agent Pollock.