Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-09
FROM THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
DARLINGTON, /. T.. Dec. 5, 1886.

|
Gen. Frank Armstrong, inspector of the
Indian department, has recently completed
an inspection of the Cheyenne and Arapa
hos agency at this place, finding everything
in apple-pie order. This visit recalls to
those whose fortunes have been cast for
many years in this place, his first appear
ance here, in June 1885, when the country
was being aroused by the special cores
pondence of the EAGLE to the attitude of
the Cheyennes and the probability of an
Indian war He came down here with
Gen Sheridan, imbued with the spirit of
the great Democratic war cry of turn the
rascals out, and in connection with our
lieutenant general, was the means of revok-
ing the grass leases, then in operation on
this reserve Of the means that led to this
resuk, it is now needless to speak,
further than that it was great
wrong, to both lessees and Indians. But
the spirit which animated the authorities at
Washington in this matter, pervaded the
be the policy of the Indian Office to get rid
of ev cry one who held Office, 10 matter
how small, under Republican rule, and
following out this idea, the greatest injus-
tce has been done, to not only these faith
full workers, directly interested, but to the
In dians themselves, by taking away in
L IL I'd
for their positions by years of hard expert
ence and who had gained the confidence of
these people and consequently capable of
doing more good than the strangers brought
to take their places. From the agent has
practically been taken away the power to
appoint any of his subordinates, and incom
petents from the east have been directly ap-
pointed from Washington to take the place
of these tried and experienced workers, as
a reward for political services. Were these
appointments subject to the rules
of the civil service law no exception would
be taken, but they are in no manner sub
ject to it, Nor did this new policy of the
indian Office stop at the removal of those
who were under pay of the government,
but even went so far as to make political
matter of the appointment of licensed
traders. Now while we can accept as a |
political maxim, the virtue of the Jack
sonian principle that ''To the victors be-
long the spoils, we cannot allow that the
spols consist of any position wherein the
office
Indian traders are appointed at their
-isk, under bonds of ten thousand dollars
% comply with the laws of the United |
States regarding trade with Indian tribes,
furnish their own capital, stock and build
ngs. and while appointed for one year, it
S with the tacit understanding and custom
hat llcen ses will be renewed from year to
Iear, as long as the trader complies with the
aw and desires to continue the
business. The law even makes it COM
)ulsOry on the commissioner Of Indian af-
airs, TO appoint any loyal citizen of the
United States as trader, upon giving the
'equisite bonds; but the present commits
iOner taking advantage of a misinterpreta-
ion of an act Of congress, changing the
method of appointment. not the qualitica-
ions for appointment, has seen fit to re-
'oke the license Of all who hold under the
ormer administration, and he established
precedent frought with evil and ruin to
many. Formerly trader was secure in
is position Now capital has no assur-
nee of being unmoleSted from year to
ear. Security is driven away, and no re-
ponsible man desires the position and
hose now engaged in the business are
G realized upon in very short time In
lch sweeping changes injustice is neces
lirly done, but in this instance we believe
ljustice has been done in violation Of the ;
NV. {
SO far we cannot look upon the regime
; glittering success.
When the present party came into
over it was confidently believed that
would soon be thrown open to
,ttlement; but alas! the fair hopes of the
ersistent boomers have in this, as in near
all other things, borne the fruit of bit !
II disappointment, and we are now no {
carer the end than under Republican
lie. l
But l have written enough for once. and {
klahoma and kindred subjects must be
served for future letter. CYMoN. 1
HOW WOULD SHE LOOK r