Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-02-11
THE INDIAN POLICE,
How the Force is Recruited, Paid and Uni
FOr

formed.
It was discovered q number of years
ago that the Indian agent could issue
orders, but that only he himself was
likely to enforce them. There were
soldiers and United States marshals in
plenty, but none of them admitted the
rule of the Department of the Interior
So when an agent wanted any thing
done he was obliged to do it himself or
call on the uncertain aid of the friendly
Indians or the employees of the reserva-
tion This worked very nicely when
the friendlies or employees desired to
see the order enforced, but if it dis
pleased them it had better never have
been made, for they only laughed at the
agent and even occasionally refused to
obey the orders of the Indian Com
missioner, unless the "Great Father"
backed it up with an array of bayonets
and deputy marshals. So the force,
which has lately for the first time
gained notoriety, was found to be a
necessity
An order from the Secretary of the
Interior first allowed the agents to en-
ploy friendly members of the tribe or
tribes under their charge to preserve
order and protect the property of the
Government and it's wards" At first
two or three members were chosen on
each reservation. The police were
sometimes under the charge of native
captain; more often they were captained
by some white man. They were paid
the munificent salary of $40 a month to
officers and IS month to non-commis-
stoned officers and privates. From the
time of the appointment OF the
police the discipline of the reser-
vations became better. Only the
best men, morally and physically, were
accepted by the Government, which was
thus able to secure the best material
for it's force at the smallest remunera-
ton paid to any of it's numerous en-
ployes. The entire Indian police now
musters about 1000 men, who are the
sole agents of the Interior Department
for the enforcement of it's rules and the
preservation of the peace. Besides their
salary they receive the usual rations
and supplies of wards of the Govern
ment
Their duty, as prescribed by the
general orders, is $50 obey the instruct
ion of agents, protect the property of
the Government and the natives against
cattle thieves prevent the sale of liquor,
the inroads of outlaws and bad whites,
and to suppress every kind of vice and
lawlessness on the reservations. :"
The Indian police wear a uniform, or
at least are supposed to. The uniform,
which is made of the national blue
cloth, partalzes of both the civil and
military habit. 1t approaches the
cavalry in the cut of the blouse, and the
trousers with the high-top boots. But
the military aspect is lost in the broad
sombrero and the cartridge belt and
Winchester. Occasionally the uniform
is discarded, and then the members of
the force dress as they please. Some
times a cast-otf cavalry suit, or a coat
belonging to missionary or agent
finds the back of member of the force
its last resting-place before being cast
into the rag-bag. But among this
brigade, the members of which stand
between the natives and their white
guardians, the most absolute discipline
is maintained. Most of the men belong
ing to it are married, and live near the
agency of whatever reservation they
may be attached to. They have no
general headquarters, being distributed
among the various agencies.-Philadel-
nhia Times