Page:LewisMeriam-TheProblemOfIndianAdministration.djvu/174

It is not at all uncommon to encounter Indians and whites, too, who say in effect “The inspectors were here, but they did not see us, they talked with the superintendent and a few of his followers and left before we had any chance to tell them our side.” Investigators of this type have earned for inspectors among the Sioux the expressive but not altogether desirable title of “The Big Cat.”^[1] Much good would result if the proceedings could be more judicial in character, and leave all concerned with the feeling that full and complete opportunity had been afforded them to have their evidence considered. Doubtless many a statement made with vigor and possibly with elaboration in a more or less private interview would be materially modified if the speaker were on the witness stand in a public hearing.

In this connection it should perhaps be said that prompt dismissal from the Service or retirement should follow a finding that the superintendent or other local officer has been negligent, incompetent, or arbitrary, or has failed to afford full and complete protection of the Indians’ rights and interests. In a criminal case the accused is, of course, entitled to the benefit of all reasonable doubts, but to apply this rule to the right to hold an office such as that of superintendent of an Indian reservation is likely to defeat the very purposes which the government has in maintaining the position. The question is whether the superintendent has so far lost the confidence and respect of the Indians that he cannot render effective leadership. If the evidence shows absence of any moral delinquency or of any defect in character or personality, the fact that he has lost the confidence of the Indians and cannot get along with them should not necessarily result in his dismissal. Transfer to another jurisdiction might in certain cases be the appropriate remedy, but transfers should not be made if there has been moral delinquency or if the transfer has resulted from some real defect in character or personality.^[2] A superintendent or any other local officer who has no faith in Indians and who cannot treat them with the respect and courtesy he would show a white man in ordinary business relations,