New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-22
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

DEPLoRABLr CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE INDIAN
TERRIroRY-NO LEGAL POWER IN EXISTENCE TO
PROJECT THE INDIANS FROM DEPREDATIoNs-A
REGULAR TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT ADyo-
GATED.
[FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, April 19.-The following ex-
tracts from monthly report of United States Indian
Agent Parsons dated at the Indian Agency for the Choc
Jaws and Cckasaws, Boggy Depot C. H., Indian Ter
ritoy March 49, interesting because they show the
condition Of society in the Territory and throw some
light on the question OF Territorial Government for the
Indians, now agtated in Washington, chiefly by the
railroad interests
Since nv last monthly report nothing Of much i'm
Dortance has occurred except what Jonathan Richards
United States Indian Agent at Anadako reports to me,
follows: We have been very nuGh annoyeu OF Iate
by deprcdations made upon the Indians and employees
dealers who appear to have harbors on the Wichita
River in Chickasaw Nation Some desperadoes stole
from Indian hands about co head OF horses and three
were stolen from persons at work at the Agency
The only force have right 10 call upon TO prevent
Nation but he not only insufficient but unwilling
generally because there no provision to pay his ex-
r. s. Marshal or the military without special authority
from the Department Of the Interior might order the
liquor dealers ntruders out OF the country but they
would only ouly laugh at my order. An Indian Agent
has not the power TO do the good he would l Is I'M
had men without some constabulary military power
10 enforce right Three armed men could ride from
3
and commit depredailOns all along the way without
Successfu intolerance. 1t Il not surprising u that
had men come into the Territory to commit crime.
There is no effective lawful power 70 prevent them All
they fear retaliation by persons OF their own eharac-
ter or by those who attempt 10 protect their rights by
their strength and weapons without any appeal 10
law. Several months ago the u B. Marshal prevented
some depredations but for some reason he does not
appear here OFTEN now.
'Tbesdifferent Indian governments not only in
trnscay weak and inefficient but they are rendered
abortive because OF want OF cooperation The Indian
Jealous Of United states interference
6y United States Msrshals and yet these governments
are wholly inadequate to the necessities OF the Territory
The Government is supposed to treat the Indians
wards yet how strangely its guardianship appears.
guardian 10 supposed 10 act In the place OF parent
What would sustain the action OF guardian who
sent his ward away from the sautary influence OF civil
Zation aud located him among the worst characters
found IN the country, such found In the States
adjoining this Territory and then supplied him either
with abundance OF money food and clothing, but left
hun without the protection against such char
actersf That which should be benefit 10 the ward the
money supplies really becomes the source Of his
jury by awakening the criminal disposition Of the bad
| men about him.
The saddes feature OF this state Of things in the case
of the Indians is that those who act the worst toward
the Indians in many Of their own households
need strong and efficient legal protection against many
of the leaders Of their people, well against the
bad white men from without the Territory. From what
have seen and learned here convinced that notn-
ing short OF regular United States Territorial govern
ment will secure protection and prosperity to these
people. as.., .
government until the Indians consent TO It," Would
guardian be justified allowing his ward 10 waste his
money at the grogshop or gambling saoob simply be-
ward preferred that course 10 course OF good
education These people, Wall never consent
to such change OF government because the mass are
very ignorant and prejudoed against the white mans
among their leaders, who wish to retain the Offices and
emouInents Of their government.