Year: 1875

SECRETARY DELANo BEFORE THE COMMISSION


THE RELATIONS OF THE INDIAN BUREAU


NOTHING TO SAY IN RESPONSE TO PROFESSOR
MARsH-THE EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES con-


cLUDED.


WASHINGTON D. c. Sept H. 1875.


Secretary Delano before the Red Cloud Commits
sion to-day. He said, in response to a question, he
remembered, though ndistincty, that Mr. Brunot ex-
pressed to him opinion in favor Of separation of the
Indian Bureau from the Interior Department
Subsequently tho President informed the Secretary
that Mr. Brunot expressed such an opinion to him. and
the President asked the Secretary's views as the
proprety of asking legislation to that end. This was
during the session of Congress Of 1878 and 1874 toward
its close The Secretary informed the President that
he wished the Interior Department to be relieved OF the
Indian Bureau Some time after this the President
informed him that Mr. Brunot shortly after his reagna
tion as q member of the Indian Commission, said he
was in error what he had in his letter Of
resignation concerning tho Secretary relative to the
separation of the Indian Bureau from the Interior
Department. the Secretary had expressed his willing
ness to have such change made.


The President of the Board asked the Secretary
whether he desired to PROFOUND any questions
ing the statements in Professor Marsh's pamphlet
The Secretary said he had desire TO do His pur-
pose to leave this investigation so far as he was
concerned TO official documents and to such documents
as Professor Marsh might furnish and such as She com
mission itself might seek and obtain.


The Secretary by request stated the relations Of the
Indian Bureau to the Interior Department and said in
response to question: that he did not remember that
the Board OF Indian Commissioners differed with
him in the allowance of accounts on the ground that
they tainted with fraud. His attention had been
called TO allegations of fraud at the Red Cloud Agency,
and he had taken steps to protect the interests of the
government by appointing Commissioners to investigate
the charges. He would not fail while he Secretary
to take all proper steps To punish all wrongs committed
within the limits of his department


The Secretary was asked whether any member of
the Board of Indian Commissioners expressed desire
for the removal of Mr. Smith Commissioner of Indian
Affairs and replied that former member of the Board,
William Welsh, had expressed such DESIRE This
in the fall Of 1878. Mr. Welsh said if the Secretary
should Mr. Smith he would escape
trouble and avoid Congressional investigation.
The Secretary informed Mr. Welsh that he
could not afford to remove officer
In whom he had confidence The Secretary further said
to Mr. Welsh that If he would make charges against Mr.
Smith he the Secretary would appoint committee to
be named by Mr.. Welsh to investigate them, appoint
Mr. Welsh himself such committee. If the report
should sustain the truth of the charges the Secre-
tary promised he would ask the President to
remove Mr.. Smith. Mr.. Welsh, however, did
not acquesce in the proposition Subsequently
Mr. Welsh was suggested to him proper person TO
be Commissioner OF Indian Affairs but the Secretary
objected 10 Mr Welsh, owing TO his indscretion and
wantof adaptation to the place.


Professor Marsh said he had questions to ask Of
the Secretary.


The Commission concluded the examination of wit
to day. and will proceed to the preparation
of their report