The Portland daily press., 1890-01-08
The Indian commIss,onersnIp

Within short time the Senate will take
up the nomination of Gen. Morgan for Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs. AS already
said, the opposition to his confirmation
comes almost entirely from the Roman Cath
Ollie hierarchy, and is based upon discrimln-
ations alleged to have been made by him
against Catholic teachers in the Indian
schools. Gen. Morgan has taken up these
charges and specifications, and answered
them conclusively. He has shown that the
question Of religious faith In no way entered
INTO the dismissals, which were made purely
on the ground of incomLetency or i'm
norality. He is supported in his statement
by DIR. Dorchester and other persons famil-
lar with the facts. The latest piece of testi.
mony In his favor comes from Gen. S. G.
Armstrong. principal of the Indian school at
Hampton, Va, who writes as follows:
He has taken up Indian education with an in
telgent energy never before known in his office.
His confirmation will mean toning up Of the en-
meDt SO far as he controls, of the best men to be
had for the service His record as between
and Catholics ssha vim bear the
is confirmed, the opposition will have done good
by directing attention to Gen. Morgan, whose
indian progress II Congress shall grant the need.
ed funds. It is the time to push things now that
red man, through Sale Of his lands, is coming into
closer contact with the whites, which will ruin
HIM unless he shall learn to speak the English
language and to "blister his hands,"
1t appears, however, that neither his de-
iial. nor that Of his friends, of the alleged
determinations has been sufficient to recon-
Gle the Catholic hierarchy to his appoint
nen., and there is reason to believe that 1t
xrfll lah xytn N
confirmation. OF course if the Ro-
Catholic church really believes that he
been discriminating against Catholic
hers on account Of their faith It is not to
me for wishing his defeat. But the Sem
of the United States will be culpable If
lows itself to be influenced in this case
anything but facts. If the hierarchy can
that Gen. Morgan has used his official
ION to punish Catholics then that will
efficient ground for acceding to its de-
I'd for his rejection. But nothing short
twill Representations that large body
voters will be alienated or conciliated,
ording as the action of the Senate is IA
able or unfavorable, should have no
bit in this matter, unless it be to show
the people who make them feel that
ase on It's merits is weak. The con-
on of the United States recognizes no
a and no religious faith. Religious
are obnoxious to the genius of our in
lions. But If the Senate of the United
rejects fit and competent man NOM
ID by the President simply because he is
steful to the Catholic hierarchy, to all
8 and purposes it will be setting up
BUS test. Rejection under such circum
IS will constitute practical notifca-
the country that the Senate has abb
d part of its constitutional power
nominations to the Catholic church
vt a nominee to an an office in which
Zurich is interested must get its en-
,ent as a condition precedent for con-
m. No religious booy, be 1t Catholic
otestaat, ought to be elevated to that
n In this country.