Mr. WINDOM. Mr. Speaker, the importance of this measure justifies me in soliciting for a few minutes the serious attention of the House. I have yielded the floor in almost every instance since this discussion commenced to those who were opposed to the bill, and the House has had the argument Presented, I presume, in as strong a light as it can be in favor of a transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Dept. Frauds have been alleged against the administration of the Indian system as it now exists. We admit the existence of frauds; we admit that there has been mismanagement; and the object of this bill is to prevent their recurrence. We believe that after a careful investigation of this subject we have devised a remedy for these evils. It is agreed on all hands that some change is necessary, and because there has been for years a hue and cry throughout the country against the Indian Bureau, it is therefore thought by many that the only remedy is to transfer the management of Indian affairs to the War Dept. I think, Mr. Speaker, that before, I conclude my remarks I shall be able to show, from some few specimens of the management of Indian affairs by the War Dept, that if we adopt the amendment of the Gentfrom Ohio we will vastly increase all the evils of which we now complain, I believe, sir, that the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Dept will add tenfold to the Present expenses of the management of Indian affairs; and I will endeavor to Present facts establishing this position. The Gentfrom Iowa [Mr. KAssoN] seems to be the father of this movement; and by the Iby understand that, in 1865 he made a trip across the plains, and wandering away from his comrades was chased and terribly frightened by a lone squaw. [.] He thinks that squaw should be placed under the immediate control of the military authorities; and he hastens here and introduces a bill for that purpose. [Laughter] The gentleman says that his proposition is approved by all who are best acquainted with Indian affairs. Now, Mr. Speaker, I happen to know something on that point. The bill now reported from the ComIndAffrs passed the Senate nearly a year ago. We were not able to reach it in the House during the last session. The attention of those throughout the country who have interested themselves in Indian affairs has since been turned to it; and I have in my possession numerous letters from gentlemen who have given much attention to this subject, all of whom most thoroughly and cordially approve it. Bishop Whipple, of my own State, than whom there is no man in the country better acquainted with Indian affairs, is most anxious for its passage. A delegation from the Society of Friends has addressed me on the subject urging favorable action upon it. Without stopping to read those letters, for I have not the time, I may say that throughout the entire country you will find scarcely a sin gle individual whose attention has been seri ously given to Indian matters who does not believe that this measure Presents the best remedy that has been proposed for correcting existing abuses in the administration of Indian affairs. The Gentfrom Iowa [Mr.: and the Gentfrom Ohio [Mr. SchENck both oppose this bill and defend the amendment emanating from the Military Committee on the ground of economy. On that point I wish the attention of the House for a few moments. The Gentfrom Iowa says that when we look at the fearful increase in the appropriations for Indian affairs, it is time that we should pause and ascertain whether some remedy cannot be found for the extravagance of the Present system. He says that the expenses have increased within a few years until they now reach nearly 4 million dollars. The fact, as stated by the ComrIndAff in a letter to the chairman of the ComWays&Means, is that the ap ropriations in 1866, instead of being $4,000, were $2, 468,050 for the entire Indian service. This, included all payments under treaty stipulations and the providing for and taking care of 300,000 Indians. Mr. Speaker, this is the alleged extravagance of the Indian dept.