Arizona citizen., 1877-08-18
TUcsoy, ARIzoyA. JuIv os 1s77


 munication from your office dated June 15, and signed "A. Bell, Acting Commissioner" enclosing copies of q telegraphic correspondence between the Department Commander of Ari zona and myself, in which l am charged with breach of personal and official courtesy. The letter states that I am "directed to make explanation of the matter"
 I do not recognize proper authority vested in MT. Bell to direct " me to do anything against my own volition. Had MT. Bell requested " me to make an explanation in the matter, might have complied. Yet this would seem a waste of time since the reports of Inspector Vandever and myself, with the statements of Ex-Governor Stafford and others, seem to have had little or no consideration at your office
 will however venture a few re- marks which may be considered an explanation or otherwise, yet in my opinion no explanation or apology is due to either the Indian or War Office.
 In February 1876, I sent to your office long letter recounting many not only personal and official dis .courtesles," but "personal and official insults 7" 10 me and to the Indian service. General Kautz, Capt Ogilby, Capt Worth and others were the au thors of these gross insults. More than year has passed since I made these representations, and I have not yet heard that your Department has made any effort by word or act to re- dress the wrongs. The army officers and War Office hurl insult after insult and slander after slander upon the In dian Department and Its officers, and the Indian Office says not word in defence; but seems to quake and tremble like a weakling or a coward under the vile blasts of these arrogant warriors. I regret that I must say thls, but It is true.
 The War Department acts quite diff ferently. Any act on the part of an Agent that bears the least shadow of independence towards the army, is promptly referred through the Depart ments up to the War Office This office demands an apology from the offender through the Indian Department, and the Indian Office immediately joins in the demand, and the Agent has his choice either to apologize or resign. This is not applicable to my case at pre- sent I have already resigned, but the is quite general.
 Under these circumstances, I have little spirit left to make any defense through your office I am always ready to defend my position. have asked for full and thorough investiga- tions and for justice. Neither has been granted. All manner of charges have been made against me by the Kautz faction. For over three years, the army have endeavored to prove me inefficient and criminal. They have failed in this, and now at the last they cry " "discOurtesy!' I would expect asI much of Gen. Kautz, but l am sur prised to find that such men as Gen erals Sherman and Mcdowell re-echoI the silly charge. In February of this year, Kautz inlmated very strongly that I was guilty of benefting myself the possible saving of In-I diam rations," also charging inability, inefficiency and reputed criminality. These all rolled into the War Office properly endorsed by the big war chiefs, and the War Office insults the Indian Department by fiinging into it's face charges of robbery, criminal action, etc. The charges are found false. The insult burns, and yet no redress is demanded. The War Office is emboldened by each successful af- front, and when Gen. Kautz finds his graver charges won't stand, he stoOps to the modest charge of discourtesy All the great men of war from Gen. Sherman down, and from Gen. Sher- man up, join in chorus which isl like this;
 "We couldn't prove Cum was robber,
 But we really don't think he's polite."I
 Upon hearing these sweet strains, my friend Mir Bell, Qate Acting Con- directs me to explain how ! can be an Indian Agent" and ' honest in my business" and yet 'lmpolite' to an army ofhcer, as these qualifications seem incompatible with the requirements of the Indian service I suppose I was born so; but it is be- meath the dignity of great men to act as some of our great Generals have done. Great Generals should not bel childish. If I am guilty of miscon-I duct, 1t seems 10 me that the combined forces of the Indian and War could have or should have found it out in less than three years. If I am to be tried, do it quickly and do il well. am ready and fear If l am not to be tried, then let me alone equally quick and well. I am weary of this barley and child's