The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-14

ing purchases OF Indian supplies A much
more satisfactory method. he thinks,
would be for the Indian bureau to subn Il
t. bidders standard sample OF each arti-
Gle instead of being submitted large va
riety of samples OF each article.
Thus the question Of price would alone
be considered in awarding contracts and
nothing more would be required OF the
commissioner than the making OF the
award to the lowest bidder
To make the inspection of such goods rs
blankets, clothes, clothing, etc, iniallible,
accurately adjusted machinery, and other
appliances for testing the strength OF fab.
rics, could and should be supplied
The commissioner favors the extension
OF the provisions OF the civil service law
TO the Indian service, and says he would
advise that this extension be made imme-
diately, il he were not fearful that il taken
now 1t would be robbed of much of its
effectiveness by being attributed TO parti-
san motives. lie, however, recommends
that applicants for positions be required
TO establish their fitness by furnishing
such evidence rs the commissioner may
require, not only from the applicant hint
self, but from three reputable citizens per-
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In conclusion the Commissioner says:
81 have no doubt that under tho favorable
conditions OF an Indian service in which
tho evils of what is known rs the party
spoils system OF appointment and dismissal
would be minimized, and in which intel
ligent and jealous action might confidently
anticipate the support Of the Government,
in which, too, devotion and efficiency
might labor assured OF the applause OF the
people, and honest administration do its
perfect work promptly on all occasions,
without rebuke or fear OF persecution; the
Indian question, in all its most perplexing
features, might be Transmitted from de-
moraizing political question into a not
dangerous social question. Indeed II may
be declared, without the use Of qualifying
phrases, that, under the favorable condi-
tons suggested, the Indian would receive
our civilization, with all that II implies OF
social duty and OF public obligation. This
is said in full knowledge OF the many fu-
tile efforts that have been made by zeal
Gus, able men and women, by the
churches and by the Government, 10
lead the Indian out OF barbarism.
The Indian has indeed begun TO
change with the changing times. lie
Is commencing TO appreciate the fact that
he must become civiized-must, as hc
expresses IT, learn the white mans ways
or perish from the face Of the earth. lie
should be taught how to work, and all the
schools that are opened for his children
should be schools in which they will be
instructed in the use Of agricultural imple-
ments. the carpenters saw and plane, the
s,onemasOn's irowel, the tailor's needle
and the shocmakcr's And the Indian
should be taught not only TO work, but
also that IL is his duty 10 work; for the
degrading communism OF the tribal rcser-
vation system gives TO the individual nc
Incentive 20 labor but puts a premium
upon idlencss and makes il fashionable.
Under this system the LATEST man owns ~
much ns the most industrious man, and
neither can say OF all the acres occupied
by the tribe, this is mine The In
dian must, therefore, be taught now q
labor, and that labor may bc made
necessary 10 his well being, hc
must be taken ont Of the reservation
through the door OF the general allotment
law. And lac must be imbucl with the
exalting egotism OF American civilization
NO that he will say II instead Of we, and
this is mine instead OF this is ours' Bu
II he will not learn, II he shall continue {,
persist in saying 4 am content; let IN,
alone, then the guardian must act for th,
warl aud do for him the good service hC
protests shall not be done; the good scryic,
that lac donounccs Us bad service. tn,
government must then, Ia duty 10 th,
public, compel the Indian to come out o
his isolation into the civilized way that h,
does not desire 10 entcr-inio citizenship
into assimilation with the masses OF III,
Rcpublic-into tlie path OF national duty
and In passing along that path hc will I'm,
not only pleasure In personal .Glependcnc'
and delight in individual cflort ia his owl
interest, but also the consummation o
that patriotic enjoyment which is Away
10 be found in the exercise OF the higl
privilege Of contributing to the genera
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