Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-27
THE INDIANS COMING.
The Delegation Expected 90 Reach Wa~h
ington Thursday.

The Delegation Expected 20 Reach wash
ington on Thursday.
REFORMS PROPOSED IN THE RkEr ooSrRAcrs--Ap-
VANTAGE OF MONTHLY BIDs-PRoPosIrIox TO
PLACE ALL THE kxpLoyEs OF THE INDIAN
BUREAU UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE RUIES
Indian Commissioner Morgan received last
evening dispatch from Special Agent Lewis.
who is on his way to this city from Pine Ridge
with delegation Of Indians. The- telegram
was sent from Rushville. Neb., which il the
nearest railroad station 10 Pine Ridge. Agent
Lewis states he and his delegation are with Gen.
Miles, who is taking thirty Indians 10 Fort
Sheridan. The two parties will travel together
as lar as Chicago. near which Fort Sheridan is
located The Washington delegation will con-
tinue on TO this city and are expected 10 arrive
here on Thursday. Quarters have been secured
for the Indians at Beveridge's. a large board
Ing house on Sd street near Pennsylvania
avenue.
THOSE BEEF coNTRAcrs.
A statement has been prepared at the Indian
office for the information of the Secretary OF
the Interior which gives the reasons for the
system now in vogue for supplying
beef to the Indians. At present the
beef is bought on the hoof in
the fan and kept at the agencies during the
winter. The amount required by law is pur-
chased at that time, but in the spring, owing
to the falling away in flesh Of the cattle,
due TO the cold weather, there is con-
siderable discrepancy N the weight Of the
cattle as compared xi.h the weight when pur-
chased. This loss under tee present system
fnth on the indians and Their rations are de-
pendent upon the amount of beef TO be distrib
uted. According 10 the statement which has
Just been prepared at the Indian Office
efforts have been made yearly for some time
Dsas 20 what known monthly
bids--!hat Is, the cattle 10 be delivered each
month at the agency and purchased at the
weight then ascertained.
ADVANTAGE OF MONTHLY BIDS.
The result of the effort made last year is de-
tailed and in the case Of Pine Ridge is as fol-
lows: AT Pine Ridge 10000 pounds were
offered at s2.74 per 100 pounds, de-
hvered as required from July l to
October 1, 1880, and then the balance
In one delivery. To deliver monthly the
same amount the bid was "a. 9s per 100 pounds.
AT the first price named, which was accepted,
the cost to the government was sI09, 600. IL
the monthly bid had been accepted the cost
would have been Sl99, 200. an increased cost Of
nearly 100 per cent. There were not funds
enough appropriated TO accept the bid for
monthly deliveries. The same condition of
afairs 1t is stated was true in regard TO the
bids for furnishing beef to the other agen-
cles. From the foregoing, the commissioner
aOuS. IL VIII Dt tDdt IN most cases new
bldsfo monthly deliveries were made or If made
the difference in price was great that il was
cheaper to take large deliveries with the loss
incident TO such deliveries especially as there
were not funds sufficient at the disposal of this
Office to pay for such monthly deliveries"
INDIAN EMPLOYEES AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
One of the important phases in the manage
ment of the Indians which has been made prom
inent in the discussion caused by the recent
Indian disturbances is the chsrac-
who have the PRACTICAL direction % Of
affairs in the Indian reservation. A great deal
OF the blame for the recent outbreak has been
laid to the charge of these representatives
OF the government. remedy that has
this class Of officials by bringing them
under the civil service rules. Indian Commis-
sioner Morgan. the board of Indian CON-
missioners and the large class who are inter-
ested in the civilization Of the Indians have all
approved of this change. The subject has been
brought to the attention Of the President, and
it is stated that he has about come TO the con-
clusion that the civil service rules should be 80
extended as to apply TO the Indian service. II
this is done, the number of employees that will be
effected will be over 1900, such as physicians,
farmers, carpenters, school teachers, matrons.
industrial teachers, &c. The Indian agents
could not be included unless a change was
made in the civil service law as these officials
are appointed by the President and confirmed
by the Senate.
COMMISSIONER MoReAN's VIEWS
In his last annual report the Indian COM
missioner has the following to say on this sub
ject:
THE one great test which should every-
where and always be applied to those who enter
this service in any of its departments should be
that OF fitness. The opinion is still prevalent
that the Indian service affords, in some mys-
terious way, exceptional opportunities for
making money, and that those who
enter IT can secure better nav for
less work there than elsewhere. There is a
misapprehension to the difficulty and i'm
portance of the work to be done, and an i'm
preston that anybody without special qualii-
cations can succeed in it. The work, however
is exceptionally difficult and calls for men and
women Of unusual qualifications, and no
Others should be employed. desire
to lay special stress upon the desirability that
those who represent the United States in this
important work should themselves be good
are employed to teach. Manuelito, chief Of the
Nayajoes speaking of q former dishonest agent
said TO me in council that with all the people
of the United States to select from it
seemed to him it ought to be pos
sible to find an honest man for
Navajo agent. His wise suggestion could, /
think. be still further extended. With more
than &C, ,000, 900 Of people TO choose from it
ought to be easy to find for the Indian service
in all its branches men and women Of good
character, efficient and faithful, and, indeed, q
large proportion Of those now employed
are persons Of such character and
attainments. All should be such. Whatever
amount Of money may be expended for the In
dians effects very little for their uplifting il il
is disbursed by dishonest agents, administered
by men Of intemperate habits or by persons
unfaithful or incompetent.
"A very serious drawback to progress is the
uncertain tenure Of Office. Agents and en-
ployes. il selected with special reference to
their fitness, should have q reasonable degree
of certainty that they will be retained SO long
they show fitness and fidelity in the dis
charge Of their duties Uncertainty as to per-
manence breeds indecision Of purpose
largely prevents the formation Of compre-
hensive plans which require years for
their completion and hinders the vigorous exc
cution Of those formulated by the government |
see no good reason why politics should enter |
as q controlling element in the selection or re-
moval Of government officials in this service |
II there is any place in the entire range Of Off
cial employment where the employe should feel |
untrammeled by mere partisan considerations |
and free 70 devote his entire strength |
and time to the work to which he |
has been appointed and where be IL TO be |
freed from the temptation TO unfaithfulness or |
dishonesty by the fear Of removal for mere
political reasons, II ought to be in the Indian |
service. The spirit, II not the rules, of the |
civil service should be extended absolutely |
over this entire branch Of public work. The |
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