The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-14
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

The Commissioner Hints at Civil-Service
Rules and Tells How to Help the In'lian.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-John III. Oberly,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, has sub
mitted to the Secretary of the Interior the
report of the operations of his bureau for
the year ended June 80, 1888. This unusual
delay is explained by the fact that Commits
sioner Oberly was but recently appointed
to his present position. The statistical and
routine matters were, however, laid before
the Secretary in time for review in his an
nual report, issued early in December.
The Commissioner, in the present report.
discusses the act of June %, 1883, by which
the authority and duties of the superintend-
ent of Indian schools were extended.
and says that these additions have
raised certain questions concerning
the relations of that officer to the
Indian Bureau. The act referred to changed
the law previously in force in two particu-
lars only-first, in the authority to make
appointments and dismissals of teachers
and others connected with schools wholly
supported by the government, and second.
in the authority TO make school rules and
regulations. The Commissioner reaches
economical and effective administration of
Indian school affairs will be secured by en-
larging the prerOgatives of the superin-
tendent; first, by placing under his immedi-
ate charge all matter connected with all
branches of Indian education, instead of
nection with but one class of schools;
shall s perform the official functions
necessary in the discharge of such enlarged
duties through the Bureau of Indian Af-
fairs, under which arrangement the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs may place at
the disposal of the superintendent the en-
tire official machinery of the bureau, by
the use of which nearly all the business in
relation to Indian schools Is and must be
transacted. BY this plan, he says, the Conn.,
missioner and superintendent would exer-
else concurrent jurisdiction, so to speak, in
Indian school affairs. The superintendent
would practically dominate in all school
operations, while the Commissioner would
continue to perform, without the embar-
rassment that would result from di-
vided authority, the duties in relation tn
Indian educational matters that have been
deyolved upon him by law and by the In
dian treaties. The Commissioner recon-
mends some important changes In the
methods of making purchases of Indian
supplies. A much more satisfactory method,
he thinks, would be for the Indian Bureau
to submit to bidders a standard sample of
each article, instead OF being submitted
large variety or samples or each article.
Thus the question of price would alone bs
considered in awarding contracts, and
nothing more would be required of the Com
missioner than the making of the award to
the lowest bidder. To make the inspection
of such goods as blankets, clothes. clothing.
etc., infallible, accurately adjusted ma
chinery and other appliances for testing the
strength of fabrics could and should be sup
piled.
The Commissioner favors the extension of
| the provisions of the civil-service law TO
| the Indian service, and says he would ad-
| wise that this extension be made immedi-
| ately If he were not fearful thatif taken now
| it would be robbed of much of its effective
ness by being attributed TO partisan motives.
| He, however, recommends that applicants
! for positions be required 10 establish their
fitness BY furnishing sneh evidence as the
| Commissioner may require, not only from
/ the applicant himself. but from three repu-
/ table citizens personally acquainted with
| him.
In conclusion, the commissioner says: II
| have no doubt that under the favorable
| conditions of an Indian service in which
| the evils of what is known as the party
spoils system of appointment and dismissal
! would be minimized. and in which intelh-