New-York tribune., 1885-02-23
uoW The INDIANS ARE PLUNDERED.

Unfortunately IL IL no new tnlnR to 'culh 'u"o
indians are being plundorod with the sanction
of the United States Government, express or
'implied. II has been notorious for years that
the so-callcd post trading stores the reserva-
tons were permitted to charge tho Indians
what they pleased, and plenty OF shameful
stories have been told of the fortunes amassed
bv cOnsciencelcss scoundrels in this way. But
a few years ago, when this subject was brought
prominently before Congress, it was given out
that sweeping reform was to be Inaugurated,
and that the post traderships were to be
thenceforth conducted on honest principles.
How much truth there was In these fair prom
ises NAV be Judged from a recent report by an
agent of the Indian Rights Association on the
Apachcs of the White Mountain Reserya-
ton. Arizona. These Indians wero first
tanned by General Crook, whose prac-
teal and humane administration was
RAPIDLY civIlizng them, when he was removed
to another department and a new plan was
adopted which has gone far to ncutralhe bis
efforts for their advancement. The Indians
themselves manifest good dispositions, and
have made more progress than was to have
been cxucctcd. considering the way they have
been swinded all round. For instance, in
lSs3 an attempt was made by the Interior
Department to supply them with cattle, but the
contractors purchased an inferior kind of Mex
ican cattle three -fourths of which either died
or ran away.
The Indians say of these cattle " Some were
vcarlincs, Others were older than this world ana
had not a tooth In their heads. Those that did
not die of cold died of foot disease, or OF hun
ger. because they had no teeth TO eat with
Grst mills are needed. but cannot be had
and the poor Apachcs are made To pay
the outmecous price Of S7thc hundred for iloar
which costs the Government, delivered, 50 3G
the hundred The prices at the post trading
stores are. however, without exception cNtor-
,jonatc The traders are compelled TO sell to
the soldiers at regulated rates, but the Indians
are delivered ~ a prey 10 them by the Govern
mcnt, ~ the following quoted prices conclu-
,iycly prove : Five yards calico, 81; cork
can vas covered hat General Crook paid Tl for
one like IT,, - 30; a2J-ccnt silk handkerchief,
81 90; a coarse felt hat. - 80; three pounds
of salt, - cents two and onc-haif pounds
coffee, ~; three and one half pounds sugar 81.
The Conmls-ary Department at Apache sells
Government Rio coffee al Is cents per pound,
and sugar at Gl2 cents per pound. California
wine. costing. delivered, 96 cents pei gallon. is
rctailcd at - per gallon. The Government
| sell. salt Al from 30 to 10 cents the hundred
pounds The post traders make the Indians
pay at the rate of s. 33 per hundred pounds.
In this way, and in similar plundcring ways,
cngendcrcd by other authorized robbers, the
| Indians are swindled right and left, and in
| every possible direction. discouraged from pro-
grcssing, and taught to dcspisc and hate the
white men with whom they are brought in con-
tact Until Congress undertakes the abolition
of these migrant abuses, and sweeps the char
tered thieves from the reservations, Ii will be
of little Use 10 attempt the civilization OF the
indians, especially upon the old lines.