The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-02-06
THE HAYT INVESTIGATION.



Schurz I'm Removing HRyL
NEW YORK, February 5.-The specia
committee OF the Indian Commission haI
completed its report in the case Of ex
Commissioner Hayt. After reciting the
evidence concerning Hammond, Hart ant
the Hayts, the report says:
We cannot consider Hayt's excuse iol
Withholding important papers from the
Secretary OF the Interior. as is sufficient
inasmuCh as additional evidence and cor
respondence was submitted to the Depart
ment OF Justice, together with atIidavits In
January, does not add to the strength ol
the testimony sufficiently to show why
the same may not have been transmitted
before. We cannot avoid the con.
clusion that while one case against
ex.Agent Hart was promptly forwarded to
the Department OF Justice for execution,
with regard to the other case, involving
more serious charges. Neither the Com
missioner nor Inspector were sufficiently
in earnest. Inspector Hammond admits
in the spring OF 1870, he was personally
interested in the proposed purchase OF the
Washington mine, and in August, upon
the arrival in Arizona OF Edward Knapp,
so.called nephew OF the Commissioner, he
devoted much time and attention in aid.
ing Mr.. Knapp in securing the mine for
Mr., Hogencamp, OF New Jersey.
Late in the progress OF our investiga.
ton the following facts were elected:
When HogenCamp telegraphed TO Ham
mond that he would send out special
agent to purchase the mine, he replied to
Hogencamp: "How shall l know him?"
To which Hayt wrote the following an
swer: "You know Knapp" which cir
cumstance, II true, connects Hayt with
the mining transactions. Hayt admits
sending such reply.
Another fact was ELECTED namely: That
Edward Knapp so.called nephew OF the
Commissioner, who figured so conspicuous
ly in this transaction, was passing under
an assumed name and was really Edward
Knapp Hayt, son OF the Commissioner,
and that he adopted this name at the sug-
gestion OF his father. These circumstances
coupled with the fact that the Commits.
sioner declined to give his testimony until
after General Hammond had testified.
His alleged unwillingness to have Gen.
eral Hammond correct his statement
concerning the genuineness Of his
letter to Hart and the long delay in
the prosecution Of Hayt, though furnish
ing no positive evidence Of completely or
guilt in compromising the crime for con-
sideration, as was charged, it may be
taken as sufficient proof that the Commis-
sioner was cognizant OF the sale OF the
mine by the ex-Indian Agent, who is
charged with gross offences through his
own son, under an assumed name, to some
oil his intimate friends, the fact OF which
can scarcely be relieved by his own assur-
ance that he had no interest in the tran
saetion.
1t is proper to state that the Secretary
OF the Interior has been kept fully and
constantly advised during the progress Of
our examination. His desire has been
repeatedly expressed that we should
probe this matter to the bottom and
promptly notify him OF all important facts
that might be developed. II is also but
right to state that we have found no trace
OF any implication of any officer, clerk or
employe OF the Indian service in the
above transaction except those named.
All OF which is respectfully submitted
TSigned1 ALBERT K. SMILEY,
WM. STICKNEY,
For the Committee.
A. @. Barslow presented minority re-
port in which he says: Gen. Hammond's
testimony, which OF all evidence offered,
alone directly connects Commissioner
Hayt with wrong doing was charged,
was taken on January 90, but was alter
wards altered, and in this alteration his
testimony on one important point, was
entirely reversed. Though there are many
suspicious circumstances which bear
against Mr.. Hayt sufficient to justify his
removal, they do not necessarily imply
guilt. Ifthese circumstances raise doubts,
the accused is entitled to the benefit OF
them.
The report OF the committee was adopt
ed by full board. They also adopted the
following resolution:
ResOlred, That in view OF the facts de-
veloped in the report Of the special COM
mittee touching the conduct Of the late
Commissioner, this Board approves the
action OF the Secretary OF the Interior in
removing Mr.. Hayt from the Office Of
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs.