New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
IN FAVOR OF DIP MCHEsNEY
IHE INDIAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION FOR HIS RE-
APPOINTMENT As AGENT At ROsERIrp

TO the Editor of The Tribune
sir Ihe reappoTntment Of DR. Charles E. Nc
Chesn y as agent at the Rosebud Reservation
South Dakota Is urgently called for in the interest
OF the indian service and Of sound administration
broadly considered Dr. McChesney has been
known Tor years az one Of the most faithful and
Intelligent servants OF the Government and OF the
cause OF Indian civilization I have long been per-
sonaly acquainted with his valuable work and
can speak positively it upon the basis Of such
knowledge Bishop Hare whose name is a house
mold word as that OF a wise friend OF the Indians
has written to the Honorable Secretary Of the In
terror follows:
have known him Dr- McChesney) for some
twenty years; first a military surgeon in the
Indian country. then the Indian agent a the
the Indians, and recently in his work as agent
at Rosebud He has always my respect and
Administrative ability united with drmness and
temper always kept unruf1ed, has made him a
He has family too. which is a blessing an
The retention Of such a man at the Rosebud
Agency seems peculiarly important in view Of three
First - notwithstanding the advancement of
civilization among the Rosebud Indians. quite
ready TO head characterization il occasion be given
Second-The Indians concerned live close to that
tract of country which, while almost unknown
and inaccessible TO the white man. offers itself
rebelious Indians as familiar and almost i'm
Ihrd-Ihe Indian question in this important
serve has been quietly solving Itself during the last
few years under the administration OF DR.. Nc
Chesney. and II would be a Iamentable disaster
from every point Of view-to the Nation to the Re
publican party, 70 the friends Of Indian civzatio
and o the Indians themseves-if this beneicenr
process Of Improvement should be disturbed
The Secretary of the Interior and the Indian
Commissioner both are heartily in favor Of Dr.
McChesney's reappointment, and his has
been sent to the Senate for, confirmation It is
opposition to this reappointment in the Senate, not
on the ground of adverse criticism against DIT.
McChesuey-fOr there is basis of fact upon
which such criticism be made-but on the
allegation that certain politicians of the locality in
which the reservation is situated should control
appointment of this kind Such a claim has evil
Executive is responsible for the good management
OF the Indian service and If IL is 10 be deprived Of
the power in making appointments, II any but the
single question or merit Is 70 pc considered IN
Offering such nOTnina tons the Senate, IL IS clear
that the responsibility cannot be properly dis
charged.
This question is not one which affects alone the
Indian service for good for evil It concerns
very intimately the proper treatment Of our Fed
try. and II are to have good administration OF
outlying possessions Il Will affect that question
also For every reason, then. such question as
this should receive the most careful consideration,
and Il is 70 be hoped that good citizens every
where Irrespective Of party, VIII help 10 create
powerful sentiment in favor Of DR.. McChesneys
Try can render q great service, and one which I
an. sure they will be willing to do, especially those
which support the present Administration, by pub
fishing these facts and by urging Dr.. McChesneys
While politics should in our opinion. have no con
nection with such an appointment II may not De
an{ss 10 state that DR.. MCChesney. while in no
sense an active politician, has been cordial sup
porter Of the present Admir- IstratIQn -
Secretary Indian Rights Association.
Philadelphia, Feb. L, 1900.