The agent must have executive capacity, together with that rare selective faculty that recognizes at sight a competent man for a given place. The character of the agency force of employés, and the quality of their work, reflects the personality of the agent. The progress of the Indians in the schools, and in learning to work for their own support, is in proportion to the efficiency of the agent as an executive. A vigorous, capable man infuses his spirit into his subordinates, and, in a more limited degree, into the natives. The agent needs judicial knowledge. No laws are in force on Indian reservations, with a few exceptions, but the treaties with the Government. The administration of justice and the punishment of crime are left to the agent, with such coöperation as he can secure from the Indian chiefs. He settles family quarrels, neighborhood disputes, complaints against Indians by neighboring whites, questions of the boundary of lands and the ownership of property. He receives acknowledgments of deeds, executes contracts, administers estates and takes depositions. Crimes of all degrees, from petty theft to murder or arson, come under his jurisdiction, and he is often compelled to administer punishment almost as arbitrarily as the captain of a man-of-war. He is even called upon sometimes to prepare a code of laws for a tribe in an advanced state of civilization. Business ability and experience are indispensable qualifications. The agent has to purchase miscellaneous supplies amounting to from $5,000 to $50,000 annually, on contract or in open market. The opening of bids and awarding contracts on sample requires actual acquaintance with the market, and experience in judging of the quality of goods of every variety. He needs the experience and judgment of a first-class country merchant. If the agent is an incompetent buyer, contractors and merchants are quick to discover the fact and profit by it. A knowledge of accounts is essential. Accurate returns of every item of cash and property received and expended, are required by law, and are subjected to most rigid scrutiny. Absolute correctness, in both matter and form, is required, and ignorance of methods is not admitted as an excuse for errors.