Page 282

282     REPORT    OF   THE   COMMISSIONER        OF  INDIAN    AFFAIRS. 
convinced that the service deserves the best efforts, and could the plan
be effected, that an 
annual or biennial convention of all the Indian agents [should] be held,
presided over by the 
honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Let there be a thorough canvass
of the subject and 
work. Each agent, from his personal stand-point, would be able to benefit
and gain benefit 
from the other, and thus an intelligent and systematic plan be devised that
would result in 
great good as well as perfect harmony. 
My experience of years' contact with different tribes of Indians justifies
the declaration 
that Indian character in general is alike; and things equal, according to
advancement in 
civilization acquired is one tribe or individual Indian superior to his fellow.
I sincerely think that some way, if possible, should be devised to protect
the agents in 
the Indian service from unjust and false attacks. The year past has witnessed
these in the 
most aggravated form. From the Atlantic to the Pacific there has seemed to
be a concerted 
effort to misrepresent and malign the agents. Is this to be continued ? If
so, but little time 
will elapse ere men of unblemished reputation will refuse to engage in this
service. They 
will not sacrifice so much, though the cause be important. But few good and
true men are 
to be found who are willing to place themselves where vindication will be
needful, especially 
as it has been satisfactorily proven that the attacking party never correct
their statements 
by publishing the vindication. I am of the opinion that an easy and sure
preventive to 
this abuse could be secured by adopting the paymaster system--that, in place
of the super- 
intendents and agents being, as they now are, disbursing officers, let payments
be made by 
inspectors, who shall visit each agency once in three months, examine accounts,
and pay 
the same. This plan would add but little expense to the service, and in my
humble opinion 
would exempt the agents from unjust accusations. 
I should be unwilling to conclude this report without recording my attachment
to the 
Indians of the reservations under my care. If I have labored for ttieir good,
it has been 
amply reciprocated by their fidelity; if I have urged them to diligence,
the work accom- 
plished and results gained have rewarded their obedience. If all has not
been accomplished 
that we hoped, we are thankful that we have done what we could, and our confidence
in 
each other has increased with association. I can but regret that the schools
have not been 
established that would, in some degree, perpetuate and repeat our efforts
for all time to come. 
In this I have been disappointed, from reasons given else where, butt shall
hope that some 
instrumentality will effect the desired object, and the "sower and reaper
will rejoice to- 
gether. " 
When I entered this service I found in the office but little data that was
of value to the 
incoming agent. This was unwelcome to a stranger just entering upon duties
so vexed. I 
found, however, in the person of Franklin Campbell, esq., (the appointee
as farmer upon 
Walker River reservation,) a man of intelligence and fully conversant with
the Indians. 
Through him I learned much that was of great benefit. I wish that my successor
may have 
the advantage of what I may have learned, and would respectfully recommend
that he be 
appointed sufficiently early that he may reach here some time before the
expiration of my 
term, and I will most cheerfully render him any aid in my power by way of
his inaugura- 
tion. I will introduce him to the Indians, and show him all that I can in
the way of office 
and reservation work. Let him be a man of large heart, one that will take
interest in the 
advancement of the Indians, of kindness and yet firmness, a man that can
say no emphat- 
ically to solicitors, and one not easily discouraged by rebuffs, and I will
assure him that no 
better tribe of Indians can be found, and none that will adhere more tenaciously
to him as a 
friend. 
I desire to return my gratitude to the Department for the indulgence and
confidence ex- 
tended during the years that I have had this office; also to my employds
for efficient aid in 
the administration of this service, and last, but not least, to the newspapers
of Esmeralda 
and Washoe Counties, where my reservations are located, and the many citizens
of Nevada 
who have encouraged me in my efforts to sustain the policy of good-will toward
Indians. 
I beg the indulgence of the honorable Commissioner for this lengthy report.
It being 
the last under my commission, I have been more elaborate than I otherwise
should. 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
C. A. BATEMAN, 
United States Indian Agent, Nevada. 
Hon. EDW. P. SM TI, 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. 
PAI-UrE AGENCY, NEVADA, October 1, l874. 
SiR: I have the honor to submit herewith my second annual report of this
agency. 
Agreeable to instructions from the Department, I have been absent from my
agency a part 
of the year in visiting other Indians, and otherwise engaged as special commissioner.
During this absence, the agency baa been respectively in charge of Dr. H.
P. Geib, the 
physician, and H. C. Cullom, the superintending farmer, to whom great credit
is dne tor the 
success which has attended its management the past year.