Year: 1875

The name of thls gentleman IS pernaps Ia miliar to most of our readers, as former su- perintendent of Indian affairs in Arizona, and now Indian agent at the Colorado reser- vstion, on the Colorado river

 Much has been said in the public prints derogatory of his management of the affairs of his reservation, and of him as man, be- fore our arrival in the Territory, the justice of which we are not prepared to vouch for nor to dispute. The Dr. is here, has called upon us and we have heard bis version of the unpleasantness between himself and Captain Byrne, of the Army. The result is, we are convinced more and more that "every ques- tion has two sides to it, and verdict made up from the testimony of one, without hear ing the other is apt to be an erroneous one.

 When, on Monday, VIC heard Dr. Tonner had arrived in town, we confess to feeling of trepidation, and vague consciousness of monstrous presence Whether this terrible Doctor had tusks and claws like the tiger, or beak and taIons for tearing human flesh like the eagle, were questions so indefinitely fixed in our mind that the very uncertainty became painful.

 While ruminatiDg upon the matter, and trying to devise the best means of avoiding contact with so subtle an infiuen-e for evil, we were unexpectedly confronted by and in- troduced to the Doctor himself, and were agreeably astonished to find in him one of the most agreeable, polite, accomplished and affable gentleman we ever met. That the Doctor has made some mistake in his Indian management we feel assured, as who has not, who has had to deal with so complicated a matter? But after hearing ali he had to say on his side of the question, we are convinced that he means to do right, and is willing to learn by experience and correct such errors as he is convinced he has made, at the same time is firm, and determined to pursue his course where he considers himself in the right These are our impressions as to Dr. Tonner after full and free interview.

 It is no part of the mission of the MINER to excuse the faults of office-holders, nor to accuse them wrongfully; neither it is par tizan paper, either politically or as between the civil and military authorities. We ex- pect to treat all with fairness, to speak of their blunders as we sec and undetstand them, and give credit where we believe credit to be due. As we see the situation now, we believe both tue military and Indian depart ments are represented by men who desire to do their whole duty. Of course, little jeal ousies will arise between those representing the two powers, and one is as apt to be in tue wrong as another It is not the province of an impartial or independent newspaper to prejudice the minds of its readers for or against either, without apparent cause at least, and we shall not do so by publishing partial statements of either party as against the other.

 There are some reasons in favor of change of policy in the management of the Indians which would place the whole control under one authority for the sake of harmony, and other reasons why the responsibility should remain divided in order that one may serve as check on the other, so that it becomes a debatabls question whether it is not better as it is. It is this conflict of authority that has created a rupture between Dr. Tonner and Capt. Byrne, and now the Doctor is here, Gen. Kautz has sent for the Captain and before they return we hope a proper understanding will be arrived at, so that in future they may work together for the pub lie good.