The Meeker herald., 1888-02-25
MEEKER COLO, sATURfAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1855

repeated protest OF the settlers. They
were not, as has been falsely stated by
the agent, upon territory in dispute, but
were a hundred miles from the reserya-
tion, and in the midst Of white settlers,
whose moneys in payment of lands had
gone 10 the Indians, and whose peace
and security at least must have been
guaranteed By the government, the re-
spOnsible agent rs between the parties.
In addition 10 these facts IL must as
well be borne In mind that the trouble
originated in the attempt of the legal
officers of the county 10 serve process
legally issued from the courts OF The
State, nnd that IN this attempt TO serve
they were resisted Ia the utmost ard
the officers Ind either 10 admit the
or perform q sworn du,y aud uphold the
legal process OF the State. Without
criticism OF c1mmeniation Of the mode
OF prosecution Of the business. | state
simply the facts which were the basis oi
the proceedings. and i.io no. hcs.,at 10
suy that in my judgment ,hey were a
perfect legal Justification upon the part
Of III. state aud county. II the Indians
afe incompetent, are wards Of the gov
ernmen,. aud they possess valid claim
for losses. It Is or should DO against
their guardian or its agent FOR allowing
them to expose their property Unncces-
sarily to such loss. Granting again, Tor
the moment, that the Indians have y
legal claim against the state would
like 10 call Your attention tn something
OF equity In the matter. The claim In
some amoun; being allowed why should
one dollar uf Il be- paid TO thcmy Why
should not tie money hc paii over Ia
citizens of this country who have
claims. adjusies, and allowed by the In
terror Department and uniaid; claims
arising irpm dcprvdaii0us Of these very
Indians AMI IA iHn same country leup-
artl.z-i AZ tins time. Why, sir incl
dental to this recall 10 mind that one
of the horses alleged Ia have been
stolen from the Utcs NJ this time and
ioT which the. are claiming indemnity
was u horse stolen by them In the out
break of ~, aud Tor which the owner
has never received one cent. Hut lhc
thief who claims indemnity is an In
dian. the owner nothing but white
man. know Ol nothing, Air. Teller.
that 80 emphasizes the habilual neglect
and disregard of tho Government for
the right, OF the pioneer and funiior
citizen rs tho indecent haste and VT.
grncy with which President. Secretary
Of the interior. Secretary .. the Treas
ury aud the Secretary u War demanded
the payment by the State of alleged and
uupruyrn claims Ia behalf OF the In
dian, In the yoy face OF proven End
unpaid claims Of settlers against the
Indians: aud what adds t. the rn1Tmlly
cause ui the Indians many of hcan
settlers now POOR would lie well 10 do.
When aud where arr these things going
10 unl 2 80 far aa my slight inIiucnc"
goes Il will H. extended towards pre-
venting tile payment hy the state OF onc
dollar Of this or any similar cisim, just
or unjust, until tire Guvcrnmcn; has
liquiiateI lie just ani longs due claims
ol the citizens Of Colorado. Further
than il,is would s,N ,ha, II am al all
correctly advised as 10 the legal cutilie,
OF the c.isc. iu licu n the Indians hay.
ING any claim whatsoever. the county
and State has Just aud valid claim
ngains; the United States FOR every dol.
lar expended In titus chastity driving
the Utc Indians from Garfield county"
back on to the reservation where they
belonged. write this letter ut the re-.
quest of no man ur men. bat simply as
the fulnlimont ~ what conceive Ia h.
the duty Of citizen somewhat cogni.
Eant Of the cNCn's. When | have re-
cciyci the documents referred TO above
| may have occasion TO address You
upon tho subject again. fu the mean
time avn. with great respect.
Yours truly,
II. II. EDpY.
State Senator i9th District. embracing
the County of Garfield.