The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-15
AnmY OFFICERS As INDIAN AGENTS
Their Qualifications for Managing the Ar
fairs OF the Reservation.

| ARMY OFFICERS AS INDIAN A0nNAc
Their Qualifications for MssseinG the ~
| fairs OF the Reservations.
WASHINGTON. Nov 1.-THE commentator
bestowed by Mr.. Herbert Welsh on tho army
| officer now acting as Indian Agent Mt zine
| III ige one OF the most important agencies IN
| the country. has more than personal Value
| as 1t bears upon tho whole question OF the en-
| ployment Of military men for such purposes
| Mr. Welsh. who Is devoted to the Improvement
| and woll-boing OF tho red men, declares tha'
| Cant. Brown. at Zine Ridge. has proved him.
| self model agent; and II other appointees oil
n similar kind. endowed with equal character
and ability. could he obtained for the various
| Indian agencies. tho work ofcivilization would
| be advanced at as rapid pace as could DC
| desired" His estimate OF tho value OF Capt.
Browns work was formed by several weeks Oh
travelling through tho rino Ridge reserve;
and it is noticeable that no dwells especially
on features Of this officers labors which are
perhaps not ordinarily looked for In agents
appointed from the army Their frmness ana
decision are conceded. but some persons may
not expect them TO take as much interest IN
tho education and civilization OF their wards
as other arpointces might do. But MIR. Welsh
points out that Capt. Brown makes frequent
and extended visits to the Indian camps. even
where they are distant and scattered. stimu-
lating every good enterprise byt the encourage
ment OF his sympathy and presence. In inc
case OF Pine Ridge. there Is n special neea OF
steady and firm control. without needless
shifting OF agents rs tho danger OF recur-
renee OF tho old difficulties is not wholly over
ITO permit tho removal OF military ohicer
who has proved his fitness and his power TO
control. as Capt Brown has done. would not
only be a very serious blow to the advance
- I,l; >t,.tIt htffi a.
wise be running a very unnecessary r'SA VI
Brown is far from being exceptional Where
army officers. from one cause or another. nave
been assigned to act as Indian agents agents, they
noteworthy skill. tact, and success. And this
is not surprising. Among them are many VINO
the red men. both in peace and war. When
the War Department Is called upon to assign
an officer to the charge OF an SHany NJ
who are not only men OF intclllgence anu nign
but have hnd large not daSsndon Of
but regard 1t only MS an incident in their mill.
the office for POPULATION they would leopard
an honorable career. with all It's chances OF
promotion: Another element In the case Is o the
respect with viii ch military officers are COM
monty regarded by the Indians. they know
that what the officer says can be relied H. 1p9n a
backed up by a formidable body Of troops il
they make trouble. Now, also. that young
armv tho 6S mtary
snecia hold upon many tribes and bands;
T be that tnf no a tho
andortakeni ILo great body q the II Indians nans
ton OF the affairs Of the tribes from the Int.
army GF es9s as ESs n' Nn ns Of asss"s
subofdnates who arc believed to be specially
The f proposal When introduced into the House
ut tho last session; was, accompanied by me
Of the Secretary Of this Interior. During the
4 the o many had nses
tary superiors. but to tho Interior Department
Brown is serving. there have been various
army officers at the different agencies. Thns
Cart: Schwan served ut Cheyenne Fiyer : about out
years and received the thanks Of the depart
ment Tor the peculiarly difficult and srduous
ssnei by yN tne Sat WITH eH
IRENE reluctance that a change at the agency
adm INST Of agency Affairs is highly aps
Greciated by the Interior Bepartment." 50 at
Crow Creek md Lover BrutS sge ncy C h1;
tho Interior for his. valuable services rem
stances: also for his uniform courtesy and
prompt obedience, to orders from the DEPART
ment." Like thanks and commendati t,T;; were
service at San Carlos agency. and by Lieut..
Les ut the Cheyenne and Arapahoe agency in
policy OF choosing army officers by prefer
ence as Indian agents, may not have found
favor. there has often been no reluctance in
awarding commentator 10 the work Of par
ticular officers in special places.
1t may be added that the question is en-
pnhlp nOliCy without ret0renc6
to any supposed desire of the Military estab-
lishment to have charge OF this duty. There
is no rea son why the army should covet such
an addition to it's tasks. The details for this
purpose must reduce the available number OF
line officers for ordinary service. including
sometimes those holding the responsible post
OF company commander. And since they are
detailed for the use Of the Interior Depart
ment. the latter reaps tn" reward OF such sue
cess MS they may Obtain in tn cir work.