The Press., 1888-06-07
tHarper's WeeklyD. AN IMPORTANT REPORT.

The report of the agent of the Indian Rights Association, Professor c. c. Paint CT, upon the condition of affairs in the Indian Territory and in California is well worthy of attention by the government as wei as by the public. Professor Painter Is a wholly disinterested and capable ub- server. He Is not a politician. He has no personal interests to promote. He has engaged in the work as missionary en- gages, from strong feeling aud the desire of befriending the fIiendless, and us an American periodically desirous of remuv- ing disgrace from the national name. He is also an experienced observer. He know 6 the Indians by actual acqunintapce, and he judges the situation at the agencies by full knowledge of what IS practicable His report Is much more likely 10 be ac ,urate than that of any inspector sent out bv the government, because all such agents, un. der an interested superior, reflect his wish. es and views in their reports. Professor Painter evidently seeks mild phrase when he says "the whole Indian service is large. ly subordinated to quite incongruous pur- poses, and that the employees of agents Care taken largely from a class of people in the south who know nothing either oi teaching or of business and are too lazy 
 The report is full of details from which the whole situation can be inferred. Dur. ing the last three years Professor Painter finds "a deterioration iu the personuel oi the force and a cetrogression in the work at the agencies. In Il single year the sev, enty schools in the Indian Territory had 1182 different incumbents in the 560 posi- tions to be filled, and he attributes the re | trOOrASEInn n ha frnl oi Washington
 "After visiting number of agencies, proof, both positive and negative, forces the convic- ton that there is a system of terrorism op. erated by the department which seeks to en. force absolute approval of all its men and methods as the price to be paid for continu. ance in office, and that dissent will be regard ed and treated as proof of insubordination and unftness for the service"
 The report is the detailed picture of 6 situation of which every generous Ameri can should be ashamed, aud which ought not to be tolerated. The Indians are ouI wards, our dppeudcnces, and we are bound first of all to prove to them our good faitl and our good intention. Iuciting them tC become civilized, We expose them to many of the worst aspects and influences of civ ilization, and insisting p n their punctua and homes nbservance of obligations anC stipulations, we give them au example of wanton disregard of both There is nc branch of the public service which requires more constant and thoughtful attention. There is none which seems to be more neglected, or more carelessly abandoned to worse influences. It is not a reply to say that the service is thankless, and that angels clnuot be hired for an agents or a teachers salary. That is no reason for dismissing capable, experienc, d, and eX. cellent servants, and for trying to turn the service to political utes
 There is no branch of administration in wh oh the pr; ctical introduction of civil service reform principles would be mol c effective than the Indian service. This fact has been long and often urg, upon executive attention, but as yet without prnc iral results. This is the m ,re de- plorahle because the government has had what is not always easily accessible in any department of administration, a great mass of facts and trustworthy information of the actual situation, collected by very intelligent, careful, and conscientious as- sociation, impelled solely by public spirit and conducting it's observations upon the spot. This was an invaluable assistance to any administration wholly new and iD- experienced, and a wise use of it would have been a great public benefit. That such counsel has been practically unhe ed ed Tn important details is equally a public loss. But the publication of reports like this of Professor Painter, by showing the actual situation, will furnish the stronge,t { arguments for reform.