The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-07
HITCHCOCK INCLINED TO FEEL HURT AT eARRETTs ACTION.

broadcast TO the world the material gath.
cred by Mr. Brosius. without turther
verifcation. and without his having al
forded to the officials, whose repHtat!l93n re pa!.3r
he attacked. any opportunity 70 explain
what seemed to him objecuonaolH
sFThe 6epsrtnlent does further maintain
that it's Inspectors ana other onhclaiS
should have respect and confidence until
a clear case is made against them, and
that the present policy of dealing with the
Indians is the result OF accumulated expe-
rience and is being pursued inte!llgentlE
and vigorously with view 10 the Indians
best interests Your obedient servant.
"E. A. HITCHCOCK. Secretary"
GARRETT'S REPLY.
Mr.. Garretts reply was as follows:
philadelphia. Sept. l. 1S03-Honorable
E. A. Hitchcock. Secretary of the Inte-
rior Washington. d. c.: Sir-I have the
honor to acknowledge yours OF the 10Th
ultimo reminding me OF my letter of the
18th ultimo, which partially replied TO
ITO enter upon the question of personal
discourtesy which you raise would. l
think involve long dfsSpsSi0m ih nt,e, must ds
claiming the least intention OF discour-
Il have not had the honor of much per-
sonal acquaintance with you. bUt my pro-
found regard for the President. my knOVl-
edge that he esteems you highly, and my
deep conviction of your own integrity
forbid intentional diScourtesy.
The publication of Brosuss report was
in accordance with the custom of the as
socation to give to the press matters CT
importance in which the public are sup
posed 10 be Interested. That il created
great deal OF public interest is quite evi-
dent.
DANGERS TO INDIAN.
II am glad 10 have learned since the let
ter of Mr.. Brosius called the subject to
my attention that you had known some
thing of the dangers to which he refers
previously: and 1 am especially pleased
10 know that you had taken steps TO in
vestiGate them. and well contented that
the department should have the entire
credit OF il. satisfied If we can
aid in some degree In preventing
the wrong that might have re-
mated; and especially gratifed If the in
vestigators shall be absolutely unbiased.
Too often these officials appear to be un-
der the influence OF members OF Con,
gress Interested in them, and l am bound
10 say that Inspectors too often seem to
whitewash men utterly unfit for their
positions You will observe that 1 say
seem I do not claim infaliibiIity-
I'VE make no charge. up 10 this time,
against any members of the Dawes Com
mission, nor. l believe. does our @ lnior-
will observe, are general in their charac-
ter and invite attention to a certain CLASS
CT institutions with WHICH some OF theln
are connected. as they ought not to be II
they wish TO keep above suspicion: pc
cause there is too much reason to be-
lieve the companies are, some OF them at
least, organized In part for the express
purpose of preytng upon the Indians
CASTS NO IMPUTATToN.
Nor do l think that Mr.. Brosius casts
any imputation upon persons in higher
positions No one is more interested in
clearing the skirts of appointed officials OF
fraud and corruption than those who ap-
pointed them, and this he sought.
Il would like to make one comment on
which you say that inspectors and other
officials should have respect and con
fidenca until a clear case shall be made
against them.
cion, and where an Inspector accepts the
hospitality OF the man he Is sent to In
spect. thus taking bribe in his favor. or
listens only or chiefly to one side. or ia
he il not above suspicion. 1 would not,
therefore. put that sentence as you do,
but would say that such officials should
be accorded confidence so long as they
are clearly honest and impartial in their
Investigations. A man who is subject to
serious misgivings in this respect should
be removed at once. no matter who is his
backer. for he Is no longer fit for his po-
sition.
Il beg to reiterate my assurances of
confidence in your administration' but
think that the important subject matter
OF Mr.. BroSius'S communica ton is a hun
dred times more important than the ques-
ton Of the courtesies. much as trust 1
value these.
Thanking you for the valuable infor-
nation that you have kindly impaired.
remain. your obedient servant.
PHILLIP C. GARRETT,
pra D