Governor Quotes
In the Nez Perce and most other Native American societies, there were Chiefs and occasionally, for special circumstances, War Chiefs, but few if any other officials, thus producing a very flat, egalitarian society. But the whites had many layers of bureaucrats and petty officials. Governors, The President, Members of Congress, State Legislators, Generals, Sheriffs, Indian Agents, tax collectors, and the like. On the Papago Indian reservation, there was great difficulty on a construction project as even the concept of a work foreman was an uncomfortable notion. No Papago wanted to be directed or ordered about by anyone else even on a work gang. And do no one wanted to assume a position of authority or be responsive to a fellow other than the Chief and the tribal elders.
The Governor, Grey Davis, was generally very unpopular with even members of his own party. The Governor was facing a recall petition where one outcome was that Bustamante would get position. However, Bustamonte and other Democrats were officially opposed to and campaigning against the recall. The Governor, never very friendly with them, was particularly suspicious of all his “supporters.” Bustamante’s diplomatic response was in response to a question from the press as to how his relationship with the Governor was holding up.
