The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-27
THE NArIoN.s WARDS.
Professor SELVES New Plan for Dis
posing of the Indian Bureau.
Washington Special TO the New York Trib-

Washington Special TO the New York Trib-
une-J
Mr.. Seelye has submitted to the Indian
committee plan for the reorganization Of
the Indian bureau Ii contemplates taking
the management of Indian affairs entirely
away from the executive department OF the
government, and placing il in the hands
of trust commission. organized similarly
to those which have control OF the great ed
ucational ana benevolent inst buttons OF the
country. His plan. in substance, contern-
plates the appointment of n certain number
of gentlemen of high character and eminent
position, with whom might be associated
one or two executive officers of the govern
ment who shall be II otkcso members of the
board. He would have these gentlemen
serve without pecuniary compensation, and
would give TO them entire control of all af-
fairs relating 70 Indian management, under
the general supervision of congress Mr.Seelye
would intrust to this hoard the expenditure
OF all moneys appropriated for the subsist~
ence, civilization and education of the lndi-
ans, and through it would pay to all Indian
tribes the aDnuities which may be due to
them under existing treaties His plan also
contenplates the appointment by the board
of one or more executive secretaries, who
should carry into execution the policy
adopted by the board. The theory on which
this plan of recognizing the Indian service
is based Is that experience has shown
that the best managed institutions OF
the country are those whose sffairs
are in the hands of trust companies of this
kind. For instance, the Yale college cor
poration has for $50 years consisted OF seven
congregational clergy men of Connecticut,
who fill vacancies in the board as they oc-
cur, and until lately of certain state officers
who held their positions during their term
of official service. The places of the state
officers are now filled by alumni In oil
this time the affairs of that institution have
been managed with such wisdom and dis
cretion that no occasion Tor criticism has
ever arisen. The funds of the institution
have been honestly and probably invested
and expended, and tho college has
and efficiency. Another instance which
Professor Seelye cites is that Of the
American board of foreign missions, all the
affairs of which are managed by 3 pruden-
tial committee, which meets weekly in Bos-
ton and takes up for consideration every
matter pertaining to the welfare OF that
great institution. Alpheus Hardy, who has
for many years been the presiding officer OF
this prudential committee, says that
although be has invariably called
the committee to order at the hour
named for its meetings, il has never oc-
Cured that quorum Wa not present. FRO
lessor Seelye's plan is 10 make the lndlal
commission which be Purposes To establish
self-perpetuating- is TO allow the board
TO fill all vacancies which may occur In it
This plan has been somewhat discussed by
the Indian committee of the house. While
it is hardly probable that il will be adopted,
members OF that committee express the
opinion that rome radical change In the
system of managing Indian affairs will
be reported to the house this session.
It is more than likely that the plan agreed
upon may be to detsch the Indian bureau
from the interior department, and TO make
it separate branch OF the government, 10
he presided ever by an officer who shall re
port directly 10 the president although be
shall rot be allowed n seat in the cabinet II
this plan is adopted. it is also sug-
gested that the head of the Indian depart
ment shall only be removed for cause, thus
giving perInanency 70 the position which
will add greatly 70 is efficiency.