New-York tribune., 1880-02-06
FINAL SESSION OF THE BOARD.


FINAL SESSION OF THE BOARD.
FULL DISCUSSION OF THE REPORT OF THE COM
MITTEE OF ISvEsnGATIoY-TALKs WITH TIL
COMMISSIONERS.
The Board of Indian Commissioners held the con
Guiding session III the investigation of the charge,
preferred against Mr.. Hayt, ex-Commissioner o. In
dian Affairs. yesterday at the Metropolitan Hotel
Before the session opened the members of the sub
committee, consisting Of A. C. barstOw, William
Stickney and Albert X. Smiley. met to revise
their report which was drawn up at Washing
ton on January 81. The changes we're made
in view Of the testimony given by Mr. Hayt and biz
son, Edward Knapp Hayt, before the Commissioner
on Tuesday and Wednesday, all of which served. II
is stated to make tic report more unfayoIable t.
Mr.. Hayt
At IL o'clock, when the Commissioners came TO
geher the report was taken up and fully discussed
Its adoption it read still opposed by three o.
the members, but after discussion lasting until
o'clock i'll the afternoon it was unanimously
adopted. The members present and votins
were A. c.. BarstOw. Clinton B. Fisk,
NJ. Kingsley William Stickney, William ii. Lyon
d. II. Jerome Albert X Smiley. and Charles Tut
tie THE following resolution was also unanimously
adopted:
Resolred-Tbat IN view of the facts developed il
the report OF the Special committee TOucalnB tD{
conduct Of the late Commissioner, this Board
proves the action OF the Secretary of the Interior
removing Mr.. Hayt from the office OF Commissioner
of Indian Affairs.
Mr. Hayts friends were persistent to the very
last in bringing their influence to bear on The
Board in the effort to secure for him the lightesl
possible condemnation, although all OF them have
admitted Mr.. Hayt's uuftness for the position be
has occupied Mr. Tuttle, one of the Commission
cfA A., ut Io hos.
known him from boyhood could not speak Of tho
mattcrla last evening without bursting into tears.
One Of the Commissioners remarked last evening
that the meeting of the Board yesterday presented
striking contrast to the meeting held January
% in the office OF the Secretary or tie Interior Al
thac time General Fisk read his charges against Mr
Hayt in the presence of Secretary Schurz and the
full Board of Commissioners. General Fisk stood
alone. There was not person present who ex
pressed q word of sympathy, aud with ar
almost unanimous voice the Commissioner
protested against the consideration of charges thai
they thought it would be impossible 10 substanti
ate. The Secretary himself could not believe that
the charges cOnld be true. And now the Board wai
uDit in approving the Seere:ary's action In remov.
ing Mr. Hayt. More than 200 letters from differ
ont parts of the country had been received hy Gen.
eral Fisk complaining OF Mr. Hayts methods and
a1ties. Since his removal large number of let
ters congratulating the Board the action Of the
Secretary had been received II was interesting
this Commissioner added. To see the members of the
Board reading the questions relating IN lndiau
affairs prOpOuuded 10 the people by III. H." IN THH
TRBUNT, and expressing their hearty sympathy
with everything she said.
In contersa ton last evening, General Fisk spoke
in tie highest terms of Mr. Stickney
and Mr. Smiley. who, with Mr.. Bar.
stow. formed the investigating committee. They
had been very dligent and thorough IN the inves.
tIgation, he said, working about twelve hours a
day during the last four weeks.
Another member of the Board said in conversation
that the report had been made much miIder than
the truth warranted. As Mr. Hayt was
deposed from Office and already disgraced
before the public it was thought best TO err on
the side of mercy and make il temperate The
Investigation had not been altogethor without
humor One day, at Washington. Mr.. Hayt ex.
claimed 10 General Fisk. " You nave stolen every
thing; you have stolen nv character" " Petty
larceny" replied General Fisk.
The following letter, which was briefly referred
70 in yesterdays TRIBUNE, was received by the
Board during its session in this cty
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WAsHINGrON. ID. c., Feb. 9, 1850.
To the Honorable Bodrd Of Indian Commissioners
GENILkMEN The thorough vesigation made.
by committee of your appointment. INTO certain
charges against Commissioner Hayt, suggests 10 me
that further inquiries your part into the conduct
of Indian affairs and the business methods and
management of the indian Bureau might be emf
nenty useful In consequence of recent disclosures
many allegations of dishonest practices and mis-
mana cement are publicly put forth, and it rs Of
great interest to the service 10 ascertain whether
they arc founded III truth OF not. lw0ud therefore
respectfully request you 10 appoint COMMITTEES for
that purpose. Very respectfully yonrs, c. scHGRz.
In compliance with this request committee
consisting of General Clinton Is. Fisk William IL.
LYON and Albert II. Smiley, has been appointed
General Fisk by special request of Secretary schurz
The members of the committee expect to proceed
to Washington next Tuesday. when they will begin
work immediately.