"The Board of Indian Commissioners found it was simply an impossibility to obtain competent executive ability for so low a salary which, "despite energetic attempts to secure its increase, constituted the crux of the problem and avowedly corrupt individuals were thereby encouraged to enter the service for what could be made from it." Christian church officials, appointed by President Grant, inspected Indian agents they recommended, but many were found to have lost their scruples when placed in a remote agency post where the remuneration was so inadequate and the system provided such inviting opportunities for financial gain. Corrupt Indian agents were no inconsiderable factor in native intractability. The Indians resisted surrendering tribal property, freedom of movement and freedom of choice for a life of close supervision and literal starvation on a reduced Indian reservation, where the Indian agent and contractors grew rich at their expense."
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau
pg.10
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