New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-05

A PIrA FOR GREATER JUSTICE To- A CLASS OF MEN
OF WHOM THE WRITER SPEAKS FROM EXrERI-
ENCE.
To the EdttOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: Having lately been an employe at an
Indian Agency the feels able challenge what
appears TO be prevailing public opinion concerning
Indian Agents. 1t possible tnat The Graph,e knows
fully the merits OF the called Meekers bunder,'
as certain do not, but 1t seems to be the regular
thing lay The origin OF any Indian outbreak, without
proof Investigation. 10 the assumed rascay or inca
paoity Of the Agent. Many OF formerly spotess
reputation aud known ability have been appointed
Indian Agents. Is just that tHese men should be IN
sfauty branded as thieves and incOnpetents
1t il easy TO say that Indian "Agents will continue TO
stir up wars but II sol IL seems seldom or never
to to those at distance that there are bad ln
dams AS ell bad OF other races, or that there
IN the nature of things any difficulty In governing
100000 people. many OF whom ale ignorant savages
uepatlen under any civilized restraint Nevertheless
there are dicultes, and II may BE that good Agent
like good schooimaster. IL more likely 10 be brought
into collision with the idle and mscevous. The people
find tie Indian the way, and to save his life the Gov
ernment puts him OH reservation. and from certain
sentiments Of Justice humanity policy, usually pro-
cecds TO feed lin. cothe him. educate his
cD,dreu in boarding-schools besides furnishing
him with stock. farming tools. etc.. etc Tie
first uart suits the savage well enough but unfOr-
tunatoly the same Agent who issues the beef hour
coffee sugar tobacco etc. is also required to secure the
attendance of children in the school, and harder STILL
10 insist on some degree OF industry the part Of the
Indian Most people have conception of the dense
ignorance oder Indians but 1t is fact that the
majority OF them do know that the whites are more
numerous than they With such Ignorance IL IL not sur
prisiug that the influence OF bad whe men OF he mo
ton OF their love OF savage freedom should cause
Resistance to the Government. A an instance may
say that have serious trouble threatened because
a leading chef Of large tribe concnied 10
family separately and instead compel The Agent 10 Issue
the gross amount ms H. In order that be, In sOycr-
while the hungIyl just as unreasonable aud
jIsi ms childish doubtless OF the OF In
dian wars for all which the Age INT held
have been long with the Indian and have learned TO
admire the gOOd In his character ~ sympathize with
him for his Ignorance and the wrongs my has IN
1ccd Oh hun, and also to know that Lee has faults com
mou to human nature. There may he raHcaly Agents,
but do not believe that these are the only ONES who
ever have trouble with Indians Go among the wilder
Iudi ns and you will hnd that most OF the older
men are willing to accept the new conditions which
the white man renders necessary by his occupation hut
you Will often nina the young men guCiahll PROUD OF
s,Hc mans dress language and labor. and ambitions
only OF war the chase. Ibe Indian Agent goes out,
perhaps with family ana dozen employe-. to I'VE
hundreds OF miles from civil zatoD, surrcunOcd by
thousands of whom II IL ms duiy 10 tcach me
the new state ~ things The Agent has also 10 protect
Lis people al the wiles Of bad white men VINO n-
fest TIC border. although he knows mat sich action
NAV provoke the haired of men who can cause
him great harm. The Agent has also 10 Dc
generally considered thief, without the compensation
Of opportunity to steal He Is placed runer neaNy
otc al bond. and IL suDjcc 10 an elsewhere ubht
system of checks and guards. " II animated tha lac
often deliberately silIs up vars whic MS ne Is
constantly Ia Tue hands 81 savage lie Is panyu ~.
not making the Indian self-supportIng, and when Dr.
killed hile opening farm the verdict Is Served III
right I"
have thought that there were Indian Agents who
by their honest el rs To- raise and chilgiI lnnsl u
fortunate race deserved the esteem OF their country
men, but let t"is never be hoped for since poor fAh"i
MtGkrr = quickly ccLdCLnrd unhcaId.
Riehiand, Iora Oct. 10. 1879. IRVING W. SMITH.