The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-02-06
REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONERS HAYr
An Abrupt Precipitation Generally Approved.

WASHINGTON, January 29.--Commission-
er Hayt was to-day removed from Office
The following is the letter of Sc rotary
Schurz making the removal:
WASHINGTON, January 30.
To Hon. A. ID. Hays Commissioner Of In
dian Affairs:
SIR--lt has become my duty to inform
you that public interest demands a change
in the Ccmmissionership of Indian Affairs,
and that your further services 10 that Office
are dispensed with. q. ScHuRZ,
Secretary.
Upon inquiry it was stated on authority
of the Committee of the Board of Indian
Commissioners, who have been investiga-
ting the cnarges against Hayt diligently
and thoroughly, that no proof OF any dis
honest act or connection with corrupt prac-
tices on his part has been found, and that
the action indicated by the letter of Secre-
tary Scbniz was taken for the reason that
Hayt had ithheld from the department
information which it should have bad. On
the other hand it is quite as positively
stated by other paites that while the fac
developed in the recent investigation may
not have been regarded as sufficient ground
on which to remove Hayt, they were of the
most damaging character, and had Secre-
tary Schurz failed TO remove him other
charges of still more serious nature would
have been preferred.
New YORK, January 29.-The TrtJuns's
Washington special, speaking of Hayt's
removal, ba the following Hayt had sup.
posed that he would at least be- allowed to
resign. His request to that effect was,
however, sternly deniod and be at once be-
gan to collect his private papers and ptr.
sonal effects. So suddea and unex pectrd
was the blow that official letters which had
been prepared for Hayt's signature were
returned to the clerks to have "actiug"
prefixed to the title of "Com % issioner."
When Hayt had completed his preparations
for departure he hastily lid enc of the
clerks goodbye. his eyes filing with tears
as he did so, and hurriedly left the depart
ment His removal is received with gen.
sral expressions of approval in official cir
cles. Hayt has made few friepds and many
enemies since he has III in office. As he
has judged others harsbly so they have
judged him. Said one Senator tonight:
This event ought TO cause as much re-
joicing among the friends of the Indians
as the surrender of Lee did among the
friends of the Union" EdSoiially the
Tribune says: "Whatever may have been
the deg : Of the Co nmis toner's guilt
there can be no question that the Indian
service will gain by his Withdrawal. His
usefulness was clearly at an end some time
ago. He had incurred tn, no tIlIty of
nearly all the great religious organizations,
who were strenuously opposed to his contin-
uance in office, and he had lost the conf
dence Of the country. Even If he could
have been acquitted uron trial, the inter
este of the Indian service would have made
his resignation necessary. That he was
not acquitted is to be regretted by himself
alone. If his conduct has been such to
demand his dismissal, the Secretary was en-
titled to do it as an act of justice and the
country will be pleased to see that he was
not permitted to make the show of voluu-
tary retirement.
New York, January 29.--The Tribuns's
Washington special says: The COMMITTEE
Of the Board of Indian Commissioners who
have u investigating the charges against
Commissioner Hayt, have been startled to
find evidences Of his having falsely pretend
ed in his public statements that he had
brought the case Of Agent Hart before tie
Department of Justice also, that Hayt
aad lns. ctor Hammond met BY appoint
ment ia this city last Sunday. A letter VIZ i,
produced from Hammond to Agent Hart, of
San Carlos, in which be informs the Com
missioner that he has taken bond in the
Washington mine from Agent Hart. The
Washington mine was claimed ID be on the
San Carlos res ,rvation, add is the mine af-
terward bought from Hart by Edward
Knapp. who is said to be nephew of Com.
missioner Hayt and member of his fam
ly. 1t Is reported that Hammond VII ap.
pear again before the COMMITTEES this week,
and is determined not to be- made the 'scape
goat If he can help it.