Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-01-04
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
Prof. SeeIye's Plan for Reorganizing 1t.

Prof. Seelye's Plan for Reorganizing 1t.
Congressman Seelye, of Massachu-
sets, has submitted to the House Com
mittee on Indian Affairs plan for the
reorganization of the Indian Bureau,
the provisions of which are briefly out
lined in dispatch to the Western press:
Prof. Seelye proposes to take the mango
ment of Indian affairs entirely away
from the Executive Department of the
Government, and to place it in the hands
of Trust Commission, organized upon
basis similar to those which have
control of the great educational institu-
tons of the country. This plan con-
templates the appointment of a number
of gentlemen of high character and emf
nent position, who shall be ex-officio
members of the board. These Trustees
are to serve without compensation, and
are to have entire control of all matters
relating to Indian management, subject
to the general supervision of Congress.
Prof. Seelye would intrustthis board with
the expenditure of all money appropri-
ated for the subsistence, civilization, and
education of the Indians, and through
it would pay to all Indian tribes an
nuities which may be due them under
existing treaties. His plan also contem-
plates the appointment of Board of
Executive Secretaries, to carry into
effect the policy adopted by the Board.
This plan proceeds upon the theory that
the institutions are best managed whose
affairs are In the control of Trust Com
missioners. Prof. Seelye refers to the
Yale College corporation, which for
$50 years has consisted of seven Congre-
gational clergymen, who fill vacan-
cies in the Board as they occur,
and of certain State officers, who hold
the positions during their period of Of
fetal service. The funds of that institu-
tion have always been honestly man.
aged and proftably invested, and the
college has grown in efficiency and char
acter. Prof. Seelye also refers to the
American Board of Foreign Commission
ers, the affairs of which are managed by
Prudential Committee, which meets
weekly at Boston, and considers every
matter pertaining to the welfare of that
institution. Alpheus Hardy, who has
for many years been the presiding of.
ficer of the Prudential Committee, says
that he has invariably called the Com
mittee to order at the hour named fol
its meeting, and it has never yet occurred
that quorum YVES not present. Prof.
Seelye proposes to make the Indian
Commission which he suggests self per.
pesuating-that is, to allow the Board
to fill all vacancies which may occur in
it. He would thus take it entirely out
of the domain of politics. The Indian
Committee of the House has discussed
the general features of this plan, and
while it is scarcely probable that it viii
be adopted, some of the members are Of
opinion that some radical change in thu
present system of Indian management
will be reported for action at this ses
sion. There is very strong feeling il
the Committee in favor of detaching the
Indian Bureau from the Interior Depart
ment, and of making it q separate brancl
of the Government, to be presided Owe
by az officer who shall report directly K
the President, but who shall not be al
lowed to sit in the Cabinet. One feat
ure of this plan is to make the head o
the proposed Indian Department an OF
ficer who holds his position during goo'
behavior