The Indian Agent Who Let Settlers Stay: A Lake Chelan Land Fight

We have always opposed extending authority of the military arm of the government beyond its legitimate province. Wherever attempted it has been found that West Point training and barrack education are not adapted to the adjustment of civil affairs. Over a year ago Capt. J. W. Robb, U.S.A. and acting Indian agent, was ordered by the secretary of war to remove certain white settlers from lands near Lake Chelan which the secretary of the interior had decided were the property of Indians who had been forcibly ejected some years ago, and place the contesting Indians in possession. The captain, with the order in his pocket, or perhaps 'dispatch box' is the proper word, went to Chelan, interviewed the white settlers and advised them to prolong their trespass for a few months, extending it until the first of April, 1895. He is as tardy at Chelan to execute his orders, and if another extension is obtained perhaps tardy justice may be done to the Indians. A writ from a civil court would have been executed at once, and a United States marshal would have presumed to grant a year's time before enforcing its orders.

Again we see that 'Captain in the Army' appears to be sitting as a dictator or magistrate, or acting as a court of equity, or something of that kind, in the matter of the estate of the late 'Okanogan Smith.' The captain issues his ukase that 'Old Mary,' being the lawful wife of Mr. Smith, is entitled to his property to the exclusion of the white wife. The vexed question of the intermarriage of whites and Indians does not appear to worry the captain. Like another Alexander with his sword, he cuts the Gordian knot, or, as the telegram says, 'Does not recognize Smith's white wife in the settlement of the estate.' A military satrapy is not in harmony with our system of government. While the soldier deserves all honor for the performance of his duty in his proper sphere, once clothe him with civil functions and he is pretty sure to make an exhibition of his autocracy which is not pleasant to see or safe for the rights of the people.