The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-02
More Indian Mismanagsmen

A great many people in Colorado are con-
sideraoly stirred up over the action taken
by Indian Commissioner MORGAN in refer
ence to the Ute chief, IGNACIo. For some
time this intelligent native has been chief
of Indian police and had for assistants
TOBIAS. SU-PU-cHE, MARIoNo QUATRo and
NIEvEs, who seem to have the good will of
many of the white settlers and who will all
have to go if MoRGAN's dismissal of L.
MAGIC is not overruled. The joint salaries
of this police force for keeping the tribes
in order and maintaining proper discipline,
amounts to the munihcent sun Of sos a
month, of which IGNAcIo gets but SIS.
Readers of THE HERALD will remember
that Commissioner MORGAN was dis
pleased with IsNAcTo, because OF his re-
ported connection with the scheme for the
removal of the Colorado Utes into UTAH
1t was also represented that IGNACIo was
opposed 10 sending Indian children to the
Fort Lewis school, Commissioners Mon
GAN seems to be sound on both Those Ques-
tons, being against the Ute removal and
strongly in favor OF the Indian school.
But. according to the sentiment of promi-
Colorado he has been misiuformed as to
the Indian chief and has made a mistake
IN ordering his removal.
The Indian chosen to replace him is said
80 be ''BUcKsK1N CHARLEY" a renegade
nephew of the late chief OuRAY, who Is
known to have committed more than one
murder, and his principal associates are
SEvERo and ITALIANo, notorious thieves and
despersdoes CHARLEY's great recommen
dation appears to be his SUCCESS in seour-
ing Indian children as pupils at the Fort
Lewis school, for which the Indian agent
paid MIN ten dollars head.
The citizens of Durango are highly in
censed over the movement, and have de-
termined to pay IGNAoIo and his assistants
their salaries until next March, when the
change of administration will make posi-
bic change of Indian commissioners.
Meanwhile they have addressed an appeal
to the secretary OF che interior, making a
brief statement Of the facts and asking for
suspension of the order and that the
Indians may be heard before their case is
finally decided. They declare that the In
dams have been misrepresented; that
IGNAcIo has been the steadfast friend of
the government and has repressed ell dis
turbances; that the removal of these Indi-
jure the school project, and defeat the OBJ
ject it is intended to promote.
This case is another illustration of the
difficulty of regulating affairs Of any Kind
at remote places, where the facts are not
easily accessible aud where prejudice can
accomplish so much on a one sided repre-
sentation. 1t is another lesson that action
should never be taken until both sides OF
matter are investigated. Also that peo-
pie on the spot know better what is needed
for the public welfare than an official, how.
ever intelligent. located thousands of miles
away. According to statements OF the
people who are opposed to the commits
sicner's order, there are other things that
need investigation in the management OF
Indian affairs in Colorado. 1t is claimed
that supplies have been shipped to the Fort
Lewis school twenty times greater in
amount than can be consumed by the
scholars. The Durango Herald says that
during the past four months fewer than
thirty pupils have had 10000 pounds OF
-four. 1000 pounds Of green coffee; shoes,
clothing, leather and other articles in
equally extraVagant proportions.
This is the old story repeated. In dian
agencies offer opportunities for fraud upon
the government as well as fraud upon t1e
Indians. Population, injustice, mismanage-
ment and corruption have given the Indian
policy Of this nation worldwide scandal
GUS character. The whole system needs
thorough reform.