Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-07-30
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 50, 1870.
The Yakima Indian Agency,

The Yakama Indian Agency.
We have noticed, with some interest, for
a while past, the controversy respecting
the Yakima Agency, as it has cropped out
in the columns of the Mountaincer the
Pacific Tribune, and some other papers.
The parties in interest have, neithe. of
them, anything in common with us politi.
cally. What We say, therefore, must be
from standpoint Independent Of all po-
litical relations, and from motive supe.
rior to party interest. The facts in the
case seem to be there: The military order
which year ago transferred the control
Of Indian affairs to army officers, removed
Agent Wilbur among other civilians. Such
was the character of Mr.. Wilbur as man,
such his reputation for honesty, fair deal.
ing and fidelity as an Indian Agent, and
such his success as Christian instructor
of Indians, that there was but one feeling
among good men of all scots and parties
respecting his removal. The best friends
and warmest partisans of General Grant
regarded it as calamity, for It was conceded
by all who had any opportunity to know
that no other man in the superintendency
had done so much for the Indians, or acted
in so good faith toward the Government,
as he. But he was abruptly removed, and
An army officer substituted in his place.
We have no desire to cast any reflection
upon that army officer, farther than to
state facts as they appear from evidence.
1t is fact, and SO proven by undoubted
testimony, that he has been guilty of NAL
feasance in Office. 1t is fact that he ha.
been officially removed from Office. 1t is q
fact that Agent Wilbur has been recon-
missioned as Agent Of the Yakima Nation.
1t is fact that he proceeded to the Re.
servation about the first of June to enter
on duty, but was denied control by the
officer in charge, who refused to turn over
to him. 1t is fact that he returned to
F. Portland, and reported the case to the
commissioner, who ordered him by telegraph
to proceed at once to the Reservation and
enter on duty. 1t is true that just upon
the arrival Of this order, or soon after,
Col. Ross, the Superintendent, then on his
way to Simcoe, met Mr.. Wilbur in Port.
land, that Wilbur told Ross it was impos.
sible for him to 60 up to the Reservation
just then, for the reason that court was ia
session, or was about to set; that he him.
self was party to an important suit, and
was subpenaed as witness in another i'm.
portant suit, and that he was obliged Ia
stay in Portland until after court. 1t is a
fact that Ross agreed to proceed to Fort
Simcoe, and on his return to call on Will.
bur and arrange the preliminaries for
turning over the agency to him. 1t is
true that in violation Of this agreement,
Ross neglected to call on Wilbur on his
return, aud came on to Olympia without
seeing him, and that to this day he is act.
ing in direct violation of the orders of the
Department, in refusing to transfer the
Agency to him.
1t is hence very evident that he took
tour one-armed .tiiend' up to Simcoe 70,
the special purpose of whitewashing tho
doinss Of the removed agent, and that he
FASTENED Gar6elde of to Washington with
the report of this Whitewater, aud re.
solved to stave of proceedings until Gar.
felde could could get there and procure q
reversal of the order reinstating Mr.. vii.
bur. Meanwhile, the chief clerk is max.
ing it his business to blackball Mr.. Wilbur
and all who have had the honesty to ex.
pose the high-handed wrongs of the pres.
ent administration, through the columns OF
that "bread and butter" sheet, the Daily
1ri6sne.
To this end, he parades what purports