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Show XCII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS [Agent Bennett, Umon, Iud. T.] E' I t i8 dne to the oolice force of this aaenov to sav that thev form one of the most I - . efnoieot auxillinries to the enlorcanlent of lru and order. 11, this service the Indian himself is tlir ropresentativeuf thn power of the rnital Starea Guvernment, thereby ancouragiog a feeling of pernanel responsibility that is decidedly beneficial. There are three officers sod forty privates on the force, each of whom has been selected with speoiai regard for his fitness for the duties required. There are many applica-tions for appointment, so that there is sn abundanoe of material from which to aslect the best. The majority of the men are vigorous, zealous, and fearleas in execution of orders, nod they have been of inoalouiable assistance in maintaining law and order. Doring the month of July last aver 5,000 gallons of intoxicating liquors were destroyed by the polioe of this agency. This whisky traffic is the most pernicious of all epila and the most difficult to regulate. The Indians do not manufaoture it ; they are advised and cautioned continuously agaiuat its dangers, and yet they are ex-posed to its seduoti\.e wiles and fall victims to its baneful io0nences. The extent of . the evil may be seen from the report of the grand jury made to the Unite& States court at Fort Smith that 95 per cent, of the criminal oases heard by that body were direotlg traceable to intoxioanta-a terrible record of murders, assanlts, robberies, and crimes of variovs degrees. In Joly last it beosnre my duty to report the cnsenf one George Bnents, s. wholeaale merchant of St. Louis, who had for several years been oneof thaiargest whisky ship-pers doing bnsineas in bhe'rerritory. Buente was doing a regular wholesale business, and hardly n, paolrsge of merohandisa that came from his establishment was allowed to escape the vigilauee of the poiioe,and few therevers that didnotcontain a liberal aiiowanoe of whisky. I recall a certain hogshead or cask of "qnepnsvare," which was captured at Atoka and contained a regular saloon outfit of whiskies, winea, eto. When Buente was arraigned he claimed ignorance of the Law, but plead guilty and was fined $500 and costs. I t is impossible to give yon statistics showing the devasta-tion and ruin and death oaused in this agency by intoxicating drinks. The fact that at least one life a day is taken in this country as the direcc result of whisky, appears not to chauge the desire and determination of othera to die the ssnre way. Since I have been in charge of the agency the polioe have sewed effeotively in re-moving intrnders, auppreasibg crimes, preserving peace, arresting criminals, gnard-ing Government funds, and in many other ways performing arduous and ofttimes dangerous duties. The salary of tbesn men is entirely too meager. They~erere-oeiving $8 per month nntil ltlst July, when t11e amoant was Increased to $10. They ought by every right to receive not less than $50 per month. The Government is able to and should pay its ssrvsots what they justly earu, and not require them to labor for the lowest pittance. [Agent Wyman, Cmw, Mont.1 The agenay polioe force, cornpored of one eaptilin, one lieutenant, sod fourteen privates, is an exoellent body of men, efficient and faithful. They have been em-ployedfor several years, and are aa devoted to their duty as any body of men in the service. The increme-so richly deserved-in their salary during the ot~rrenty ear gave %hem great satisfaction. I hope to be able to keep them all in the service dnr-ing my administration. [Agent Hill, Santee, Nebr.1 TheIndian polioe and court of Indian offenses have been important factors in the administration of affairs at this agency during the past year. The police have been faithfnl in the discharge of the duties assigned them, q11ick to report to the cslls and demands of the agent,, and ever msdy to perform the work pointed out to them. They have been valuable co-workers with the Indian coort in the suppression of drunkenness and vice and prompt to report to the proper authorities any crime or misdemeanor committed upon the reserva~ion. |
