New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-13
KILLING KINDNESS
corruption.

The Indian Rights Association has issued
report by Professor C. c. Painter, one of its
agents, on the condition of the Indians in In
dian Territory and California, which abounds
in details Of interest and value, narrated in
spirit of refreshing frankness. There is little
story told in this report which so well illus
trates the unfortunate effects of the paternal
policy of the Government in dealing with tho
Indians that it is worth repeating
In 1878 J. II. Seger was placed in charge OF
school among Arapahoes in Indian Territory.
During the first term the boys planted and
cultivated fifty acres Of corn and garden, and
cut the wood for the school. The following
year the school building was enlarged to ac-
commodate one hundred children, and then the
Cheyennes put their children in school for the
first time The plan had been adopted OF in
yesting the money derived from the sale OF the
corn crop in cattle which were divided among
the BOYS. Each boys cattle were branded, and
he took care Of them. The agent persuaded
the children to invest portion OF the sums
they received for work about the school IN
COWS. Soon the girls that worked IN the
laundry, sewing-room and kitchen, for eX-
ample, owned COW apiece. The children took
so much interest in their cattle that the agent
believed the herd and farm could in time sup
port the school. The boys sold hay and added
the money to the contingent fund. The agent
went on raising corn and paying Indians for
work. and induced as many rs possible TO In
vest their earnings in cattle. Some benevolent
peope gave money to help the herd, which
finally reached 400 head, $50 of them belong
ing to the children individually. and l50 to the
H., AinanfimA
school was making such progress that another
building YVES put up for Fifty young children,
in which most Of the work and all the teaching
in the school-room were done by older children
from the other school
But now came the parayzing touch OF the
Governments paternal hand. In an evil hour
an Indian inspector made visit there, and was
so pleased with what was being done that he
recommended that the Government should
make gift Of 400 heifers to the herd This
was done. No gift in fable ever undid the re-
ceiver more completely than this one. Up to
this time the cattle had boon as much the indl-
vidual property Of the Indians as their ponies
but when the Government gave the 400 head
the agent had to put them on his books and
became responsible for them. The boys had to
take care of double the number and soon lost
interest in the herd. They knew their own
cattle, had seen them grow, could point them
out with pride. But now there were many
more belonging to the Government than to the
children. Mr.. Seger admits that he lost in
terest too. and white man had to be hired at
81 a month to take charge of the herd This
was so large now that more horses were re-
quired. These had to be taken up on tho
agents accounts. The end OF it all was that
the inspector, on a subsequent visit. recon-
mended that the herd should be divided among
the school children, and that the parents should
take the cattle to camp. Many Of them were
eaten up the following winter, many were sold
at low price, and others persisted for want Of
care, only few being kept The majority Of
The children never knew what became of their
cattle. Mr.. Seger says that il the Government
had not intorfered the schools would now cost
$40 600 year less than at present. and the
presence Of the herd would have helped to fix
the children as they grew W in homes round
about.
This is simple, and may seem an insignif-
cant, incident, but it is certainly not without
its moral. All the lessons Of experience 90 to
show that we shall never be rid Of the Indian
problem until We put the Indian on the footing
of man-giye him his rights and at the Same
time hold him to his responsibilities, protect
him against fraud and outrage, while recurring
that he shall not nespaSs upon others; and
abandoning the policy of alternately coddling
and starving him at will