Arizona weekly miner., 1877-02-16
THE GOVERNOR AND ruE MILITARY.

The Governor was unfortunate in allow ing himself to become excited over unrelia- ble rumors of Indian depredatious in the south, and 1t was a matter of deep regret to his friends thst under pressure of such ex- citement he should allow himself even in humanitarian spirit, to write snd promulsate so Ill advised message to the Legislature as that which we published few days ago. lhs reflections on the General Commanding tho Department, were ungenerous, and, as subsequent events have proven, unwarranted by facts We do not agree with some of our contributors in the assumption that Gov ernor Stafford is actuated by unworthy mo- tivos; his whole life and conduct. in and out of office. forbid such conclusion, and give assurance of an honest man." but being hu- man, and surrounded by influences inimical to the military authories, and constantly re- ceiving reports, in his official capacity, from representative men of the opposition, or In- dian Agent wing of tue public service, it is perhaps not to be wondered at that he should have honestly imbibed a bias in favor of civil as against military management of In dian affairs. It is no doubt true that Indian Agent ]. F. Gum, of the San Carlos Agency, has manifested considerable tact, skill and en- ergy in the management of the Indians un- der his control, and VIC fear, on this account, that he has been partially dei6ed, and made sort of idol of worship. in certain quarters, and that when attention is called to the der sliotions or incompetence of other Agents Cum rises up between the public mind of Southern Arizona and the object of attention and obscures the vision to such an extent that nothing can be seen but Gums virtues.
 The Governor, we say, has committed an error, and done wrong, but we have the charity to believe he thought he was doing right Dusty herslds were gslloping into Tucson and other telegraph stations on the Southern border, with talse reports of the Indians being out and massscrcing the in- hsbitants of the remote valleys, the hearts of all good people were touched at the reef tai of the deeds of blood that were said to be transpiring, and it wa, but natural that the Governor should share in the excitement and emotions of the people. Under pres sure such as this, he wrote his message and sent it to the Legislature. That body being in session at Tucson, the members no doubt felt as did the Governor, that it wss a case requiring immediate action, at any rate they 1 at once passed bill through both houses, authorizing the Governor 10 raise troops to | protect the lives of citizens, showing tha, | not only the Governor but the Legislature | believed the false reports, and in obedience l to the dictates of humanity set about pro- viding a remedy for the reported evil. In 1 stead of charging wrong intentions on Gov ernor Stafford, who by his conduct during the session of the Legislature just passed has proven to the people of the whole Territory 1 that he is not welded to any one section, the blame should attach to those who by false representations have led him and the Lcgis- lativc assembly to believe and act upon a fslsehood.