Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-12-18
GOV. eosPER ON THE INDIAN QUESTION.

GOV. eosPER ON THE INDIAN QUESTION
 In yesterdays issue the CITIZEN pub- lished in full Acting Governor Gosper's letter to the Secretary of the Interior in which he formulates some views con corning questions materially efiecting the well-being of this Territory.
 In the main we agree with the Acting Governor and consider his recommenda- tions very important, but with his views on the Indian question, as expressed in that letter, the CITIZEN takes direct issue. In fact that he should entertain and express such views is matter of great surprise, and that he should aliegc that the people of the Territory are almos; unanimous in favor of transferring the management of the Indians to the mlll- tary is a matter of still greater surprise
 We do not believe, since the ms erahle fiasco of an Indian campaign like that just past, that there are five lntelll- gent men in a hundred in this Territory but what would look upon such change with apprehension. Mir. Gosper utterly fails 10 furnish any valid reason for his recommendation, when numerous oblec- tions, any one of them sufficient, suggest themselves.
 Past experience, when the Indians were under the control of the War De partment, furnishes no hope that trans fer would either end or lessen the trou- ble to be constantly apprehended with these savages.
 In fact, if the late trouble demonstra- ted anything all, it was that the military was a source of irritation which, if 1t did not cause the first difficulty, certainly precipitated the Chirricahua outbreak This is confirmed by the testimony of all disinterested observers who were on the reservation during the late unpleasant ness. And with the exception of what General Carr accomplished with few troops at his command and in the limited sphere to which be was confined by the jealousy of his superior officer, all that was done was the work of Colonel Tiffany, the San Carlos Indian Agent. Now the CITIZEN cannot oe accused of having any particular'admiration for the latter gentleman, but he is entitled to credit for his management after the out break occurred. Touching his responsi- bility for the Cibicu affair, this paper has expressed very decided opinions, and has seen no good reason to change them.
 There is nothing in past or present experience to indicate that the troops would furnish lis any better protection if they had full control. In fact, when this trouble occurred matters were vir- tually turned over to the military. The Indian Agent was powerless to enter into any negotiations or do anything without the consent of the military. And the way they managed it is mon mnental shame.
 Then there are considerations of nor ality and economy which are opposed to such transfer. Indian Agents are charged with all manner of corruption and the extent of the plunderings of the Indian ring are told with great amplifica- tions, but that does not signify that the army has been or would be more pure. In fact the army ring is full as great curse and full as corrupt as the Indian ring, and much more strongly intrenched m caste.
 It IS possible to reach an Indian Agent now by a civil investigation. In fact the San Carlos Agent has been subjected to investigation during the past year.
 The criticism and the well founded and fully proven charges made by the leading papers of this Territory against the gross mismRnagementO of the military during the late difficulty, had they been made against civil officer, would have received prompt and thorough investi- gation. As it was an army officer. Gen. 6ifg few days with the commander and his top-heavy and ambitious staff he returned and white-washed the igno- minious failure, and that is the last that has been heard Of the matter Court l Martials are notorious farces, unless they are organized to convict, and then an in- | loeent man IS just as likely to suffer as a | yuilty scoundrel. --fffh1ssS3.Ss If not demoralized by in- | officers, Is all right in its ,lace, but until it can Ge brought to | ,ome account for the trusts now com | nitted to its care, we are opposed to trans erring any more to It, especially when [ involves the expenditure of a large | mount of money.
 Unprincipled army officers even now ttempt to hold the lash over the heads f business men on the frontier and hreaten to ruin their credit unless they omply with their demands, and attempt 0 stifie the voice of the press. We can imagine the state Of affairs that would xist if in addition to army contracts hey controlled the vast Indian contracts f the country. We can hardly imagine greater calamity to this Territory than he adoption by Congress of the recom- of the Acting Governor on he Indian question.
 As choice between two evils the h. ian ring Is preferable to the army ring.
 THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
 In the Senate of the United States, on