St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-28
FEDERAL CARE OF RED MEN.
Commissioner Morgan Details It's
Difficulties.


Difficulties.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27.-Hon. T. ].
Morgan, commissioner of Indian affairs,
has submitted his annual report to the
secretary of the interior, Oh the opera
TONS of his bureau during the past year.
1t is volumin0uS document and gives
in detail the acts of the bureau. After
giving an explanation of the duties of
the commissioner, he says there are
several difficulties with which he has
had to contend. There should be a
solicitor appointed to whom difficult
law questions can be. referred and whose
special business 1t should be to examine
and report upon all claims for money
presented by Indians. Such an officer,
he says, might save the government
thousands or dollars, while at the same
time assisting the Indians to obtain
their just dues. There are urgently
needed SIX more clerks, also one medi-
cal expert to examine the sanitary con-
ditions or the Indians. The small sal
aries naid to agents and physicians rem
der it very difficult TO procure the services
OF thoroughly efficient and honest men
and the commissioner recommends that
their salaries be increased. The con-
missioner says that in addition to Ordi-
-
peclal attention to the following i'm
provements: The Improvement of the
personnel OF the service; the develop
ment of Industries: the Improvement of
the sanitary service; the modification of
the ration system; the incubation of
patriotism and the diScouragement of
the Wild West show business. The re-
port devOtes considerable space to the
school question and Indian education.
1t shows that there are now twelve
schools in operation. The average at
tendance at the training schools during
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1889, was
1.S18 out of all enrolment of 2.112.
There are now in operation siXty-three
government boarding schools ON reser-
vations. The buildings in many cases
are small. cheap, inconveHient
and often inadequately furnished.
There were in operation during
the past year LOG day schools at the va
rious agencies. with an enrolment of
1896 pupils, and all average attendance
OF 1867. From a statement showing
the amounts set apart for various relig-
Gus bodies for Indian education for 1891
it appears that out of s554, ,559. S347, ,6S9
were apportioned to the Roman Cathu-
lie schools, S44, $50 to Presbyterian. and
S27,271 to Congregational. The report
says that the work carried on by the va
rious religious denominations has been
a very potent,if not indispensable aux
iliary in the efforts of the bureau for
the elevation of the Indians The COM
missioner says that one of the most diff
lcult things to contend with in the ad-
minStration of Indian affairs is the vice
of intemperance. A large proportion
of the Indians live a life of idleness,
and are therefore liable to yield to the
temptations of drinking and gambling as
they would not if con stantly employed.
The report says that the practice which
has prevailed for many years of occa-
sionally permitting Indians to travel
with "Wild West" and similar shows
throughout this country and abroad for
the purpose of giving exhibitions OF
frontier life and savage customs. has
been very harmful in its results, and
the commissioner has from the BEGIN
ming steadily refused to sanction any
permits.