New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-04
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.

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TIE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Board of Indian Commissioners composed Oh
A. C. Barstow chairman, Clinton j. Fisk, William
stickney. f. NJ Kingsley, William H. Lyon
David II. jerome, Il. Ii. Tuttie and a. N
Smiley, met yesterday at the Metropolitan
Hotel The principal business before the Board was
the consideration of the report OF its investigating
Committee on the charges preferred against Mr.
Hayt. ex-Commssioner of Iudan Affairs, IN con-
nectIon with the ARIZONA Mine scandal.
The committee is composed of Commissioners A.
G. Barstow. A. X Smiley and William Stickney
Messrs Smiley and Stickney unre in the report
Commissioner Barstow takes exception to some OF the
minor points but will. it is understood, unite with
his colleagues in the main. The report ia vouminous
document and eorroborates IN detail the charges
that have been published in THE TRIBUNE against
Commissioner iIayt and those connected win ihe
San Carlos Indian Agency. 1t is shown that 'hc
proceedings which had been begun against Henry
L. Hart the agent at the San Carlos Agency, were
suddenlv discontinued ard that the affdavits
against Hart were never forwarded to the Depart
ment of Justice until General Flsks charges
were made public through IHE Tribune
The evidence further shows that Commissioner
Hayt was corresponding with Inspector Hammond
WHO had been sent out ostensibly to investigate the
|
purchase of the silver nine; and that the
commissioners own son. Edward Knapp Hayt
was sent to san Carlos, under the name of Edward
Kuapp. 10 make the purchase. While young llayt
was on the way, Inspector Hammond telegraphed
to know who coming out, and received reply
from Commissioner Hayt that he would know the
person when he saw him.
The full text of the report will probably bo made
public to-day.
Ex-Commissoner Hayt, accompanied by his coun-
sell Judge Bedlc, of New-Jorsey, was before tho
Board last evening. He questioned very closely
concerning his connection with the Arizona
and the other matters at the San Carlos Agency
which have been investigated especially the part
alleged TO have been taken 10y his son in these
transactions He declined to answer many Of the
questions, and asked the privilege ot hrnging WIT
nesses 10 aid his side Of the question. Ihis;
after discussion. was granted. Mr.. Hayts counsel
made the point that hIs client having been removed
from his position Indian Commissioner tue Juris-
diction OF the Board had ceased.
General Fisk has received letter from the Secre-
tarv OF the Interior, referring 10 the case OF eX-
Commissioner Hayt, of which tho following Is an
II find statements in tho papers that had said
| the matter investigated, IN consequence of yonr
publications, had nothing to do with the removal Of
| Mr.. Hayt. The statement l. too absurd To n'ed
contradiction"
SUFFERING AT MR.. HAYT's HANDS.
Another case before the Board was that
of Major J. c. Bridgnan, who, in 1871, on
the recommendation OF tho Missionary Associa-
tion. was nominated as Agent for the stockbridge
Indians at Green Bay. Wis His confirmation was
opposed by certain of the Wisconsin delegation in
| Congress but he was confirmed nevertheless
Major Bridgman says that his first drty when he
reached the Indian Reservation was to pay TO the
| stockhridee Indians the sum OF 100000. He as
| eertained that prominent politicians and Others be-
fore his arrival and after It became known
that this sum would be paid to the Indians, had
gone to them later and tod them thai they could
not be enrolled citizens because Their families
were large; but that for considera-
| ton they would have their Eames placed on
| the roll In instance n prominent poll
tlcian. member of the state Senate named Myron
| H. McCorh Major Bndgman says, had obtained
| fhe claim of one Indian and his family,
amounting to $9455, for $4,000 Many
other instances of this kind came 10 the
knowledge OF Major Bridgman. He refused to pay
these cIamsa and IN addition prosecuted men who bad
| cut timber on the Indian reservation and on Gov
! ernment land, and recovered damages Tor the dOV.
| ernment. This brought upon MN the enmity OF
| the agCricvcd persons and their political
friends Charges Of msappropriation OF public
moneys and cutting timber aud not accounting Tor
| II were made against him. and were investigated
under the direction Of Commissioner Hayt Major
| Bridgman says that the investigation was
Onc-sided, and that be had no far opportunity to
| reply TO the charges against him. He was indicted,
and the referred to the Department OF JUS
tice for prosecution.
In order that Major BridGman may have chance to
| be heard. the Board OF Indian Commissioners has
asked Secretary Schurz to allow the to be re-
| moved from the Department Of Justice and brought
| before the Commissioners.
Major Bridgman also claims that no was
very badly treated by ex-Commissioner Iiayt.
He was given fair opportunity to re-
fute the charges made against him. while
his accuscrs had every advantage. One
of his principal accusers Is Dir. McCOrd. men
toned above, whose wife has been made matron.
and his daughter n teacher at Keshema on tho ln-
dian reservation at Green Bay. This reservation. he
declares, is looked upon with coyetOns eyes
! by manv There are 400. 900 600 feet of good pine
timber on the reservation and this alone is worth
| large sum. IL will probably soon come into the
market as there is bill now before Congress TO sell
the reservation.