Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-04

the principal sinners to crowd the
agent and to prevent his exercising that
Judgment which is born of personal experience.
Everywhere he sees a disposition to retard his
work. To formulate anything that looks like q
policy and to carry it out is practically impos-
sible unless that policy happens to meet with
rare favor in the Indian bureau. A policy in
which business supplants sentiment strangely
enough meets with but little encouragement at
headquarters and gets none from the Indians.
SPECIMEN DAYS WORK.
A specimeu days work at big agency is pre-
seeking appointments to Indian agencies This
particular agent got up on this particular day
at his regular hour-6:38-went round the
stables, corrals and shops and saw that every
one was at work. The employees are not always
Jealous; frequently they clients of poll
tieians. who rid themselves of their Emporium
ltles by putting them in the Indian service.
such men are rarely efficient. and they are
almost always more or less insubordinate. re-
lying upon their influence for I'M
questioning support When the first
tour OF inspection was over the
agent unreasonably enough took a suficiency
OF time in which to dispose of breakfast and
then he went to the office. Even at that early
hour Indians were awaiting his coming. An
Indian never listens sincerely to any one but
the agent and to him he has to 60 when he
wants wagon or harness repaired or has any
other desire. Each Indian always wants extra
ratlons: this never fails. Then there was
horse trade to settle. One Indian sold another
a horse twelve months before and after waiting
vainly for his money appealed to the
agent to help him get the cash or
the horse. No sooner this disposed of
than settler who lives on the border of the
reservation applies for permit to look for lost
stock. He secures his permit aud policeman
Is sent with him to see that only the settlers
cattle are driven of. Then more Indians
rCH lx,f tla,., a..
agent That unfortunate individual stood the
increasing pressure as long as he could; then
he went out to supervise the erection
of couple of new buildings and to
enjoy general walk around. For an hour
you could see him everywhere. Just about
noon the mail arrived and the letters touched
twenty subjects Some people wanted posi-
lions In the schools at the agency. others
sought contracts: all of them wanted some
thing and nearly all of them had to be an
swered. They could not be answered then. SO
the agent stacked them upon his desk and went
to lunch. Then special agent of the Interior
Department wanted the bigger Indians in for a
,a4a Policemen were sent out to gather those
IN who were near the agency, and when the In
dams arrived there wac council, at which the
agent of course, was present. Extra rations
were called for and that involved more exertion,
for no ration5 can be issued except on an order
signed by the agent. The department does not
allow extra ratIons. but the Indian must and
ought to have them. He is officially called
away from his home and his home supply OF
food and don't see why those who called him
should not feed him while he is obligng them
with his presence. When the council Is over two
thirds OF the Indians who participated in it
VIII have something to say to the agent. Then
two of the farmers from the outlying districts
made their appearance and consulted with the
agent about needed supplies.
TWO MARRIAGES AND ONE DIVORCE.
Following their denar capa fuo Indian