The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-11-19
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs.

TO the Editor Of the Press:
The time for the assembling Of Congress is
at hand and among other rumors a doubt is
suggested as to the confirmation of Gen.
Morgan as Commissioner Of Indian Affairs.
President Harrison's humane and just dispo-
sition towards the Indians is acknowledged
and the fact that after deliberation he nom-
mated Gen. Morgan to carry out his upright
intentions should be primary proof Of fit
ness for the office. Gen. Morgan Is reputed
to be man Of more than ordinary admin
istrative ability, of large experience as an
educator, both practically and as writer on
educational topics and the appointments he
has made and the schemes he has inaugur-
ated so far commend themselves to the ap-
proval of the dsinterested friends Of justi ce
and good government for both white men
and Indians. The one thing above all others
to be deprecated is change in office. Mr..
Oberly had been tried and proved to be
competent Indian Commissioner; notwith-
standing he was removed. Gen. Morgan Is
yet untred but he talks wisely and his for
mer record Is in favor. VIII any prayer that
the Indian Society or any body else has wit
enoughto make" pierce the ear Of the Senate
to his confirmation; he has placed himself on
record at least twice as aiming at full citizen
ship for Indians as soon as possible with all
it implies, allotment of lands in generally,
protection by law and every possible aid in
the way Of industrial education which Is af
ter all the main thing. In his address at the
Mohawk Conferences he says
"Under the peculiar relations which the
Indians sustain to the government Of the
United States, the responsibility for their
education rests primarily and almost wholly
upon the nation. The task Is not by any
means a herculean one. Tie entire Indian
school population is less than that Of Rhode
Island. Ample provision should be made
at an early day for the accommodation Of the
entire mass of Indian school children and
youth. Education in the broad sense is the
Indians only salvation. Tie work Of In
dian education should be completely sys-
tematlzed-the system should be cOnformed
as far as practicable, to the common school
system now universally adopted In all the
States-it should be non-partisan, non-sec-
tartan. The teachers and employees should
be appointed only after the most rigid scrut
ing into their qualifications for their work
They should have stable tenure OF Office,
being removed only for cause, for the present
special stress should be laid upon that kind
OF industrial training which will fit the In
dians to earn an honest living In the various
occupations which may be open 20 them.
Especial attention should be directed to-
wards giving them ready command of the
ample provision for the higher education Of
the few who are endorsed with speci |
capacity or ambition. That which Is funda-
mental in all this is the recognition of the
complete manhood Of the Indians, their in
dividuality, their right to be recognized as
citizens of the United States, with the same
rights and privileges which we accord to any
other class of people. Education should
seek the disintegration of the tribes, they
should be educated not as Indians but as
Americans. 1t is understood that, in ad-
ditiOn to all of the work here outlined as
belonging to the government for the educa-
tiOn and civilization OF the Indians, there
will be requisite the influence OF the home,
the Sabbath school, the church and religious
institutions of learning"
Nothing could be more promising than all
this and II the new Commissioner has the
courage OF his convictions aud Is confirmed
and Is supported by Congress the time Is not
far distant when there will be no more need
of special bure u for governing our Indian
citizens than there Is now for governing our
German or Irish fellow citizens.
Gen, Morgan is also said to be Christian
man: IL he has the sort Of religion that helps
a man to keep his word. that illuminates his
sense of justice, that furnishes that farsight-
ed wisdom which prompts him to do his duty
even in the light OF his Immediate interest
he will find 1t great addition to his MANY
other qualifications for the responsible and
perplexing office he has assumed,
BY order Of
MAINE BRANCH OF WOMANs INDIAN As.
ISOLATION.