Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-08
HOPE IN EDUCATION.
The Commissioner Thinks it the Only
Solution of Indian
Difficulties.
He Favors the Final Abolition of the
Reservation Sys-
TEN.
Principle Of Sectarian Schools Con
demned Though Radical Changes
Not Recommended.

WASHINGTON, Oct 6.-The commits
sioner of Indian affairs in his annual re-
port says he thinks the great forces now
at work. land in severalty with its accom-
panying dissolution of tribal relations and
breaking up of the reservation, destruc-
ton of the agency system, citizenship and
all that belongs thereto, independence, the
privilege and duly of education which
seeks to bring the rising generation of In
dians into right relationship with the age
in which they live and put into their
hands the tools 10y which they may gain
for themselves food and clothing and build
for themselves homes-wil, if allowed to
continue for a reasonable length of time,
accC mplish these benehcent ends.
The report discusses at length the politi-
cal status of the Indians, tracing the evo-
lutions of the present policy Of dealing
with the Indians as wards. After care
full historical survey the commissioner
draws a number of conclusions. He thinks
the time has come for a declaration by
congress to the effect that hereafter it will
not recognize Indians as competent to
make rar, that they shall be treated, not
as belligerents, but as sui jects. That the
general government has the right both for
its own protection, for the pro-
motion of the public welfare,
and for the good of the Indians,
not only to establish schools in which
their children may be prepared for citizen
ship, but also to nse whatever force may
be necessary to secure to Indian children
the benefit of these Institutions.
The commissioner submits that the
time is at hand for the extension over the
Indi"ns of the protection and privileges of
cur courts. Meanwhile the developments
on Indian reservations of courts of Indian
offenses by the perfecting of their
code of procedure and enlargement of
their Jurisdiction will be helpful
as preparation for the complete partici-
patton in orr common life. He also sug-
gests whether the time is not at hand for
the passage of an enabling act whereby
the five civilized tribes may form a terri
torial or state government ard be repre-
Sented on the A ,ors of congress. The
time has come when the Pueblo Indians
should be admitted by special act of con-
gress to the enjoyment of all rights OF
citizens of the United States, according to
the principles of the constitution as con-
templated by the treaty of Guadaloupe, Hi
dalgo. The determination by the highest
authority of the actual political status of
the Indians is necessary as the basis of
wise legislation and to the satisfactory ad-
ministration of Indian affairs.
After giving an account of the pro-
gress made in the allotment of lands to
| Indians during the past year, the COM
missioner says: THIS radical and far
reaching revolution in the social status CT
the Indians is making satisfactory pro-
gress. Land in seVeralty has in it
the promise and the potency of
great things, but on ~ that. In many cases
it brings unutterabe woe and in all it is
liable to leave the Indians worse off than
before" He further saws: Il am not IN
receipt of enough information, nor indeed
has sufficient time elapsed to enable me to
Judge the practical results of the allott-
ment policy. have seen nothing during
the year. however, to lead me to change
my views as to its ultimate success"
Regarding the reduction of reservations
which has proceeded with great rapidity
during the year, the report says: ''While
it is possible to push the work too rapidly,
perhaps, do not hesitate to say that the
ultimate destruction of the entire system
Of reservations is inevitable. There is no
place for it Ii. our present condition of
life. Millions of acres of Indian lands
now lying absolutely unused are needed as
homes for our rapidly increasing popula-
ton, and must be so utilized. Whatever
right and title Indians have in them is
subject to and must yield to the demands
of civilization They should be protected
in permanent possession of all this land
that is necessary for their own support,
and whatever is coded 10y them should be
paid for at its full market value. But it
cannot be expected, under any circum-
stances, that these reservations can
remain intact, hindering the progress
of civilization, requiring an army to
protect them from the enCr0achmentS Of
home seekers and maintaining perpetual
abode of savagery and animalism.
The report discusses at length the sub
jet of Indian education, The enrolment
of Indian pupils for the year ending June
30 has been II, 1926, an increase over last
year of 1,549. The amount of congress
sional appropriation for Indian education
available for the year to come is near two
and one-quarter millions of dollars. The
commissioner regards the education of the
Indians as the only solution of the Indian
problem.
Regarding contract schools the commits
sioner recommends the maintenance of the
status quo for the present, but urges that
an appropriation OF the public funds for
sectarian education is contrary to the
spirit of the constitution, opposed to pub
lie policy, and ought at an early day to be
discontinued. He expresses strong appre-
citation of the missionary work done among
the Indians by churches, and thinks the
present time is peculiarly favorable for an
Increase of such work.