Year: 1878

Gen. w. S. Hancock, commander of tba
DIVISION OF the Atlantic, formerly in charge
OF this Department. reached st. Paul yester-
day, and was conveyed to Gen. Terry's resi-
dence, No. 13o Summit avenue, whose guest
ne Will remain while in the city. A GLOBE
reporter called at Gen. Terry's residence
last evening and found Gen.
Hancock surrounded by a large number
OF his personal friends. The man of inter
rogations was received with the utmost cour-
tesy by the general, who, by the way, looks
remarkably hale and hearty. The generals
line military bearing and soldierly physique
IS only excelled by his urbanity and courteous
demeanor.


In reply to questions, Gen. Hancock stated
that his visit had no important signiicance:
ne was not here upon any public business.
his visit to st. Paul was owing solely to his
desire to meet once more old friends, renew
old associations, and look again upon
things familiar" and rejoice in the
growth and prosperity of a region
with which he was few wears
SINCE officially connected. He had private
business at st. Louis, and he took the op-
portunlty OF looking in upon ST. Paul and
her sister city.


When asked if he could state anything of
interest respecting the Sherman Sheridan
ochurz lmbroglio, the general stated that as
military officer he would hardly like to give
an opinion or say anything about it. The
matter had now got where it would be thor
oughly investigated, and no doubt evidence
would be obtained and testimony given 80
that wise conclusion would be ultimately
arrived at.


Reporter-What is your view of the
policy of placing the Indian affairs
under the military authorities.


Gen. Hancock-There can be little doubt
that IN many respects the policy is a wise
one. FIRST as matter of economy. Under
the war department the Indian would not
Dc nearly the expense upon the nation that
the system of Indian agencies causes. And
again, eSpedlency would suggest the use of
the more systematic and complete organize
ton of the military to manage the Indian
and his affairs, more especially as the mill
tary must of necessity be more or less mixed
up IN them. Military men can see the ad-
vantages which would adhere to the Indian.
but they can also see disadvantages to
themselves. A soldier is usually Jealous
of his honor, and he can see how this Indian
question might lead to scandals which would
reject upon the department. It is quite true,
that as rule, military officers are men of
| integrity and honor, and very much above
stealing. Besides this, the more perfect sys :
tenn does not admit the possibility of any
grave thefts remaining for any length Of
time undiscovered. | do not know that I
am prepared to advocate military men acting
as Indian agents, for don't see why civil
lans could not do equally as we'll if the same
system OF managing was instituted which
governs military affairs. One great objection
to the present system is that the nominal nav
of an agent is so small that thorough bust
ness man, and strictly honest one, will not,
as rule, take the posltion-nen generally
accept the position with the view of what
can be made out of it.


The general seemed to think that the mill
tary department and the Indian department.
should be put under one head, and not re-
main as now. Both have to do with the
Indian, and oftentimes the two come in con-
tact with each other, and it is folly for them
to be pulling two different ways. When he.
the general, was head of the department.
here he saw sufficient to convince him of the
necessity of one head in both departments.
If it were 30, or if the Indian department.
was given over to the military entirely, there
could never occur such circumstances as those
recently reported of Indians actually want
ing for provisions. If supplies failed
or did not arrive, the military could
| easily and readily supply the need. The
general concluded by expressing his satisfac-
ton that the question was now where it
would be thoroughly discussed and he had
no doubt it would be disposed of to the ad-
vantage of the Indian and the credit of the
nation. Anything, indeed, would be perfer-
able to the present management which was
odlous in the eyes of the world and a dis
grace tc the nation.


The GLOBE reporter thanked the general
for the free expression of his opinions and
withdrew. The general will leave for the
East, tomorrow.