The Portland daily press., 1884-04-29
Scandalous Stinginess.

There appears to be no limit 10 the scan
dalous stinginess of a Democratic House of
Representatives with Mr., S. j. Randall for
tions. Its action with regard to the needs
of the navy we have already commented up
on. reduction of the inadequate compen-
sation of the Representatives of the United
States abroad is also incontemplation. But
for inexcusable nIggardliness and downright
Teanness the action of the present House in
the matter of Indian education is entitled to
all the dishonors. The wise and promising
experiment of educating Indian children
has now been carried on so long AID SO sue
cesssully that it is almost universally accept
ed as the economical and. e6ectual solution
OF the Indian problem. 1t is not too much
to say that everyone who has given attention
to the results accomplished, and the influ-
ence of this experiment, not only upon the
children who attend the schools but upon
the tribes which they represent, is well per-
suaded that in no other way can the peace
contentment and progress of the Indian race
beSo surely secured, and the perils of savage
warfare so certainly avoided, as by continu-
ing and extending the educational work
which has been in progress for few years
past.
Secretary Teller who formerly doubt
ed whether the Indian was capable of pene-
fetal education, has, by observation of the
good already achieved and the effects of the
system, become a strong believer in, and sup
porter of, the policy. He has earnestly set
forth the value and needs of the work in his
annual reports, and The statements made by
him In the following letter written to Mr..
Herbert Welsh of Philadelphia will be sur
prise to all good men and women and pro-
woke their severe condemnation of the ILL
advised parsimony of the party now con-
trolling the lower House of Congress
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1884
Herbert Welsk,, Esq.
Dear Sir:-I have yours of The 9th instant. do
not know that can add anything to what have
said in my annual reports concerning the education
and civilization of the Indians. What is needed is
money to put the children in school, will not re-
peat what have before said on this subject We
can secure the children but we have no money to
pay the expenses of their education The appropri-
alton bill that has just passed the Honse of Repre-
sentatiyes does not make appropriation sufficient to
maintain the schools now in existence, and unless
the appropriation is increased in the Senate we shall
be compelled to decrease the number of children
now in attendance. In order to have the full ben
eft of of the schools established the appropria
ton ought to be increased in the Senate at least two
hundred thousand dollars $4,000 With this
amount we cannot add to our school facilities as
we ought to. We ought to have at least one hun
bred and fifty thousand dollars (S15O ooO) to build
SCH ol-houses and improve those now built in ad-
dition, we ought to have at least fifty thousand do.
lars ($5o,o0o for the purchase of cattle, horses,
swine, &C., for the schools established and that
ought to be established. 1 enclose herewith state
mcnt of the necessities of the schools now estab
lished Very respectfully yours,
H. M. TELLER, Secretary.