New-York tribune., 1880-01-10
THE CHURCHES AND INDIAN AFFAIRS.
MISSIONARY BOARDS REPRESENTED AT The MEET
ISG OF THE INDIAN COMMIssIoNERs-A CONFER

MISSIONARY BOARDS REPRFSENTED AT THE MEET
ISG OF THE INDIAN COMMIssIoNERs-A CONFER
rNCE WITH TIE PRESIDENT.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-At the meeting OF the
Board of Indian Commissioners this morning
the rcpresentatives of the various missionary
bodies were again present, all the chief rellc-
iona denominations except the Eplscopaiians
and the Roman Catholics, being represented.
The gathering resembled in many respects an
Indignation meeting; for it soon became eyldcht
that the conference of the missionary secretaries
last evening hal wrought them mp to determna-
ton to make a frank exposure OF their grievances
against the Interior Department in terms that all
could understand The secretaries had briefly en-
bodied in writing the views which they desired 10
exfress TO the President to-day, and this paper az
once became the subject of discussion between
tbem and the members of the Board The
main points of this document, ana all
u contains which evoked discussion, were
printed IN The TRIBUNE to-day. There was in adj
dtlon an expression of opinion that while boarding.
schools are useful as temporary expedient III the
civilization Of Indians, they should III general give
way as soon as practicable to the ordinary common
schools 1t is known that several of the secretaries
have grave doubts of the permanent success OF inc
governments IN Indian education which are now
being tried at Hampton. Va and Carlisle, Penn.
DIR. Reid of New-York, Secretary of the Meth
odist Episcopal Board opened the ball this morning
in a powerful speech, in which he detailed tho
grievances under which his society labored on ac-
count of faults Of administration IN the Interior
Department and the Indian Office. DR.. Strictly. of
New-York for the American Missionary Association;
Or. Shppen of Boston. for the Unitarian Board; Mr..
Morehouse.. of New-York, for the Baptist Board;
DIR. Firris. of New-York, for the Dutch Reformed
Mission Board; Friend Smiley, and others spoke
in the same strain They declared that the Admin
istraton ought to return to the peace policy as 1t
ovisted and was administered before Secretary
schurz and Commissioner Hayt came into ohce;
and that it would be impossible for the missionary
bodies TO continue their official relations to Tie
Indian service unless this should be done. Several
instances were related to illustrate the dou0le-deai-
ing Of the Commissioner Of Indians Affairs WIN
them. and to show how the present method oil ap-
pointing agents and agency employees serves to cast
discredit upon the religious bodies, who are sup
posed 10 recommend the appointment Of these men.
In many cases it appears the Mission Boards have
really had no voice in the selection of men for
AGENCIES which are nonnally assigned to them.
In other cases men who were unit were appointed
AGAINST the protest of the Missionary Boards. In
all cases where agents or employees turn ont badly
the society which is supposed to have been respon-
sible for their appointment is called TO account,
and diSercdlt Is thus thrown upOu ~ uhV IHO
religious deuomnatio which 1T represents ,
The paper prepared by the secretaries was 1nally
alonted as the sense of the Conference and was
presented to President Hayes this afternoon, when
DIR Reid and DIR. LOwrle made strong speeches i'll
favor OF their position and in arralgnmeht OF Soh-
missioner Hayt The President, WHO is deeply IN
terested i'm the subject, and who is very anxious 10
retain the confidence and support OF the missionary
societies for the administration OF the lndlau ser
vice listened attentively to all that was sald ana
promised to give the subject careful consideration
The Secretary of the Interior was present at the
interview, and after Ii was concluded hG1nFltel he
Secretaries to a further conference with him AT the
Interior Department. This invitation was accepted
and several hours were thus spent. The secretaries
left feeling quite hopeful that their position would
De sustained by the Secretary.
AT the meeting of the Board Of Indian Commls-
sioners to-day committee was appointed to lnves-
figate the accusations against Commissioner Hayt
on account of his alleged mining specula-
tions in Arizona. This commltlee consists
of Chairman BarstOw, and Messrs. smiley
and Stckney. Any one who attehded the
omen sessions of the Board could not fal 10 observe
that Commissioner Hayt has two staunch friends
and defenders in that body: One OF these IS the
chairman and the other is Mr. Kingsley, OF New
York but there is reason TO doubt that DOth OF
them are anxious that the Indian service snail DC
administered IN the most efficient manner possible
Neither the Board the Conference dis
cGssed either tho POnca or the Ute ques-
ton with view TO any recOmmehdatiOn'
of agencies among the several missionary
societies with a view chiefly to giving an official
recognition TO the Southern Methodists, the South
ern Baptist Convention, and one or two other
societies which have not hitherto been so recog-
nIzed in the Indian service.
ROT SPRINGS CLAIMS.