Arizona citizen., 1877-04-28
THE CITIZEN.
DfsarminS Indians.
HousE OF RErREsENrAr1yEs.


 DEAR SIR: I have this day addressed Ito the Commissioner of Indian Affairs !the following letter, with a view, as stated, of having the Indians at the San Carlos and Hot Springs agencies, diSarmed-except such as are used as special police and scouts:
 HoN. JOHN c. SMITH, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
 SIR: l have the honor of calling iyOur attention To the following facts in regard 10 Indians in the Territory of Arizona, with a view of bringing your attention to the importance of disarm- ing Of all Indians now on reservations, land of all which may hereafter come Tor be driven on them-eXcept such as iare used as special police and scouts. l have particular reference tO those at the San Carlos and Hot Springs agen- Icies.
 There is abundant proof that many lciiiZenS have been killed and much valuable property stolen or destroyed within the last year by Indinns in the eastern and southern portion of the ! Territory. It is equally true that these | idepredalions have been committed ID Ia great measure by Indians which have ! from time tO tune been upon reserva. ItionS. cared for and fed by the people lof the United Siajes through their Iagents. lt is a well known fact by all IciGZens and residents oi the Territory lthat the small number of hOstlles could mot nor would not hold out against the forces which have been and now are being brought against them, but a short time, were it not for the assistance by way Ot recruits and supplies received from their brethren who have access toi the crib, SD well provided by our good Uncle Sam. l am equally well satis-. fled that the main, if not the whole, trouble lies in allowing the Indians to. retain their arms; which trouble can Onlg find its remedy in the thorough of all Indians, as above stated. There is no L ecessity for any. Indian on the reservations having any arms left in his hands While on the. reservation, he is cared fO. and protect. led by the agents, military and laws. !. Indians have n the past, and probably will in the future and for all time If. allowed to hold their arms when ou reservations, become uneasy and rest. less. Some of the young and most daring leave from time To time and join parties which they know 10 be n ihe field. Again, with arms in their hands, there is no surety against these Indians by concerted acton or other wise. turning out at any tune and con- hitting 8n untold amount of depreda- tions on tLe unsuspecting and unprO- lected settlers.
 Tn view of these and many other facts, l would respectfully but most. earnestly recommend the disarminE of. these indians as above stated. IL is folly o feed these Indians and leave 1, arms in their hands with which tD murder men, women and children ai will. The first practicable step is tO di,arm them. This accomplished, the end of Indian Ouuages in Arizona Is m The near future. Without this there will be nothing but murder, robbery and uncertainty for all time.
 Your most obd't. sery'l,
 II. :. STEVENS, N. C.
 h this connection we say now as We always have, that if any Indians on other than the police, are armed thay should be dIsarmcd. Vel, also remember very well, tla, when Inc Tontos, Apache Mohaves and Apa- che-Yumas were removed by Col L l, [. Dudley, Speclal Commissioner, Agent Cum insisted they should be completely and al ouce disarmed. Col Dudley advised against it General !. Crook thought to dlsarm them would lead the Indians to think ve tjhe au- |, horilies) feared them, but Aren't Cum insisted on their disarmament Col. , Dudley, being a superior evil officer, ordered him not to undertake to dis , lrm the Indians. and Agent Clam at once put his resignation il writing and ! handed it tD the Colonel, whereupou , he order not to disarm was withdrawn. 2 he resignation refused, and all the h. lians completely disarmed in one or wo days, and all by lhs determination S md acts of A-en, Cum. These facts ' jeing indispuiable, We surely think Agent Cum has not changed his pol cy in this respect We dn not believe here is any difference of opinion re- n ,arding the matters under considcra- i ion, between Agent Cum and Mir. t 'teyens, or any one holding the Ia, | CTS views. Agent Gums de.ermina- {, ion to deprve the Indians (eXcepi po- e icc) of arms, was far stronger than any T ,f his associates in handling Indians, md rather than not have this determin- T. tion practically carried out he would e lave quit the service. q