Year: 1875

lays yet.


EX-GOv. FLETCHER'S VIEWS.
DIFFICULTIES ANTICIPATED IN OBTAINING THE


TRUTH-INDL,N STATEMENTS NOT WORTHY OF


CoNFrpENCE-How THE INVESTIGATION WILL


BE CARRIED OUT-INDEtINlTENEss OF The POW


IRIS OF THE COMMISSION.


Ex-Gov Fletcher of Missouri arrived in this city
yesterday in order to attend the meeting OF the
Commissioners appointed to investigate tho frauds
IN tho Indians described by Prof. Marsh. In re-
ponse to the inquiries of representative OF THE
rRiBvNR Gov. Fletcher made the following state
nent:


Ipresme that we shall arrange at the meeting 10 be
,d this evening ut the Fifth Avenue Hotel to start out
o the Red Cloud Agency very soon. l ain not fully
,ware as to extent of the investigation we are ex
,ected to make. presume that 1t is confined strictly
70 the condition OF affairs at the Red Cloud Agency For
nv own part l am quite ignorant of this whole affair
fhavo however general idea Of the condition Of affairs
among the Indians from previous personal observations
md in making formal investigation i do so
sith the intention of finding out where The
wrong is II any, and of placing 1t in such u
sght before the country that there will be no mistake
about H. II find that these Indian agents have been
iheating the Indians, will place the blame where it
belongs if see that these agents have been s2ndered
shall not hesitate TO make report on that SUBJECT
Priqa 6rcic however. man who goes into the business
Of furnishing Indian supplies is expected to make good
ming out of ii, but should not be condemned without
hearing


DIFFICULTY OF GETTING AT THE FACTS.


As have said. have general knowledge of affairs
nnong the Indians derived through my own personal
,hseryatiOns The Indian is untrustwOrthy in his
raiemenls that 1t Is very difficult to put much
reliance upon his mere "say So" The men
who are engaged in these contracts also shrewd
Nat IL viii require good deal OF investigation to get at
fI.1v


RepOfter-How do you expect to get at the evdencef
Mr. Fle.eher-In order to get at the facts We shall
70 right Red Cloud Agency, TO the Indians them
eves ascertain what they have received and trace the
Latter back TO the original contracts for FUR
pshing and learn If the supplies have been OF
le same quantity and character as those con-
hacted for We undoubtedly anticipate trouble in
tetng at Of this affair Ii these contractors
nd agents have engaged in plundering the indians
.ey viii make 1t very difficult matter for us to get at
lhe facts, but good long, and thorough investigation
will enable gain the facts about it, whatever they
may be.


PowTRs OF THE COMMISSION.


have but very indefinite idea yet of the extent
d our powers in this investigation We have not had a
meetug the Commissioners and have not had before
rs the papers furnished by the Secretary of the Interior
think we shall start about the OF this week for Red
rloud


Reporer-what win be the character of your discus
LOn this eyenngi


Mr. FIetcher-At our preliminary meetings, presume
we shall merely arrange the programme for future opera
lions | know of reason why the public should
pot be Informed of any plans that we may
decide upon In fact / think that we shall
give every opportunity possible to every person
Interested to give information, object being to get
h the facts and to report them in such manner that
be truth will be unmistakable We shall 20 to Cheyenne
Grst md thence to Fort Laramie and the Red Cloud
Agency, a point very nearly north of Fort Laramie.


Rep0rter-Wil you hold your sessions only at Red
Cloud Agency, or at different points,


Mr Fletcher-I am not informed where these
tractors 1 safely say We Will hold sessions
wherever il is necessary to do 50 i'll order TO elicit all the
Eets


Rcporter-Are your powers OF such character as to
compel The production OF witnesses when you require
hemf


Mr.. Fletcher-I am not that We have power to
compel the attendance OF witnesses. We will b. able to
determine after meeting the line of investigation that
will adopt.


statements OF Prof Marsh and Mr. Smith, Gov Fletcher
replied: am not personally acquainted with either Of
the gentlemen; l never met them. OF course
! enter upon this investigation without the
slightest prediction or bias Of mind in any
direction but with view to elicit the facts, whatever
they are.


RepOrter-in what way you Impressed by what you
have read Of Prof. MarslIs charges


Mr Fletcher-Wel, Prof Marsh's charges are but
compilation of just what you may hear all over the
Plains anywhere and what j have heard for
q long time with reference TO those matters
Every Indian makes 1t part Of his business to grmble
with every white he meets with reference to his
treatment by the Government


Reporter-Eave you had extensive experience the
Painsi


Mr. Fetchervery little among this tribe of Indians;
have been among the Indians very frequently, hut
never in any official capacity; never with any connec-
ton with Indian matters in any way.