New-York tribune., 1891-02-06
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
VIEWS OF COMMISSIONER MORGAN As TO
THE EVIL AND THE REMEDY.
OPPOSING A TRANSFER OF THE AGENCIES TO
THE WAR DEPARTMENT-CIVIL SERVICE
RULES NEEDED IN THE SERVICE
DISCUSSING INDIAN AFFAIRS

| THE WAR DEPAkIMENI-NlNlb oI~iN'AN4@
RULES NEEDED IN THE SERVICE
DISCUSSING INDIAN AFFAIRS
IN PHILADELPHIA.
| PHILADELPHIA Feb. 5-Gencral T. J. Morgan Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs arrived today from "a'-
ngton accompanied by several Indians from the rlhe
| Ridge and Rosebud agencies who have been irehdN
TO the Government during the recent troubles lhosc
| in the party are the Rev. &. ;. Cook, haH-oIcc'
Episcopal clergyman. who has charge OF the MISSION
arv work at Pine Ridge Agency; Louis shangrew' an
Interpreter: John Grass, Young Man-AIaiu oi llls-
Horses George sword Clarence Three stars ana iioi
| low Horn Bear They all attended a meeting al
Christ Reformed Church tonight, when Indian aiiarS
| were discussed The meeting held under the
auspices of the Universal Peace Union. OohihS-
sioner Morgan spoke at length on The Present ihdSc
of the Indian Question: lie sketched the poh'S Va
the Government toward the red men and took up ana
answered specifc criticisms in detail lie spoke in
part as follows: ,..,.
Turning now from these matters Of specific criticism
We encounter sweeping charge that the entire system oi
managing tn. Indians by civil agents is hopeessy auy
and that the remedy lies in transferring them to tAe coho
NJ the War DEPARTMENT This criticism proceeds apparently
upon the assumption that civilians are untitled Tor te
work which devOIyes upon Indian agents ana thdV AI
officers bv reason their military training have Spe'a
qualifications for such work. In reply, let lie say
am not prepared admit that civil institutions are
failure and that chosen from civil life ioF heh
administrative Offices must of necessity fa IN tner "o'A'
The fundamental conception on which the ftpuhIc ieSS
is the inherent manhood Of the individual the UuSV
worhlness people and Che possibility Of 'tieV'e
ment. admit that there cannot be found from he ranks
Of civil life 1ftynne men competent for the uuues o.
Indian agents sweeping condemnation Of our entire
civilization that am unwilling for single moment 70
entertain 1t.
II is pertinent question to ask what special quahca'
tons Army officers such in cont1adistncton
to experienced and trained IN cI'H
life have for the administration oi AhuI'H
affairs The work Of uplifting the Indians is co"'
,tructiye work The Of the Army is essentially de-
Indian administration calls for the exercise o
rigid Economy is not Of the special virtues
developed in the Amy. The administration OF
Indian affairs calls for the exercise Of sympathy han
thropy and uncenquerabe faith in the manhood Of the
Indian. These qualities which certainly are as IKeN
found in fresh from the homes the schools ana
the churches civil life those whose training has
had special reference 20 fitting them FOR army service
The question perhaps will be presented. what Is
remedy for the present OF things which many peoDs
unite in believing deplorable7 Is there no remedy in
reply can only express personal views alone
am responsible for what now utter SPEAK simply ior
myself reHrate what have ALREADY sad In sub
stance published reports and in public addresses
both before entering present duties and since
when I thas believe 1t is possible 10 improve The
present system Of administration OF Indian affairs.
l. believe that there should be extended over the en-
tire Indian service form OF the Civil Service rules
that no should enter tho Indian service eA
20 special fitness Tor the DaftceI
be undertaken The duties devolvnc upon agents
and o.her employees different posts widely and
the service should II possible be selected
by Of special qualifications.
Q. The compensation paid 10 agents and all o.her en-
ployes should equal that paid for similar grade Of
service in other branches Of the Government The aborer
worthy Of his hire and those who are called upon 10
their day and generation In the DerDeXn2 and ardu
positions Indian service should receive such com
pensation will them in giving to the service
their undivided energies.
g. The continuance Of anv person the Indian service
should be conditioned the faithful performance Of duty
Capacity and fidelity should etitlc woman 70 feel
reasonably certain Of being retained In Office long as he
is worthy or until work hand shall have been accom-
Dlished
There are a number Of places in the Indian service
where IL the plans in successful operation bc con
tnued for few years there VIII no longer be ahy
FOR Indian agent and where the Indians can
properly left their government where ;hey can
become absorbed In the national life and take their places
as individual citizens amenable the laws and enoIng
Of the civil courts. Oae Of the best quail
fcatiOns for any connected with the Indian service
either Commissioner Of Indian Affairs an Indian
farmer IS quality Of doing his work thoroughly 70
himself in the shortest possible space Of time un.
necessary.
T. Indian affairs should be administered by
sible Al the Indian bureau IS Of tho
many in the Department Of the Interior. The Secretary
Of the Interior superves Of the Commissioner Of
the General Land once. the Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs he Commissioner Of Pensions the Commissioner Of
Patents the Commissioner Of Education. the Commissioner
Of Railroads. the Commissioner Of Labor She Commissioner
Of Interstate Commerce the officers charge Of the Geo
logical Survey and also done by the Governors
the Territories. This statement Of the duties devong
that single public Official is enough 10 show that tho
burden laid him IS too great for 10 bear
1t is simply a matter Of lmpossbity for giyo
attention 10 the details Of the many matters Of
delicate and important administration that find their
under the organization Of matters to the desk OF
Secretary Of the Interior 1t is due to him, and 70
other interests ntr1strd TO his oversight well
proper administration Of Indian a1ais. that
change at least should be made whereby he can be
eved from the numberless details connected with tho
Indian Bureau. This statement Of course viii not be
construed making any criticism whatever upon tho
present Secretary the Interior but It is to be taken
suggesting change which have reascn TO believe he
himself would most heartily commend.
In closing. let me say that result Of the most
careful attention which have been able. amid the
pressure of ocla duties, to give TO this matter,
that the Indian problem + In the process of
happy solution that there is occasion whtcver for
encouragement npatence that the and-lnsevera'y
the efforts being made toward the education
civilization Of these people doing their effective
work and that without change IN the prcscn,
methods Of administration the final solution Of this question,
which has hundred years. will not be long
delayed when reckon tire by civilization eras.
Now let nc say a word regarding the appointment and
removal Of Indian agents The Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs has absolutely nothing to do with appointments.
He is never consulted about them and nothing Of
the qualifications Of agents except such developed
by work after they enter upon their dutc
During his term Of service he has recommended the
noval Of agents but in for cause, and
in no case because Of politics.
In at five instances the President has removed
men whom he himself had appointed. when IL made
clear him they unit 10 properly discharge
the duties Of their Office II IS my conviction thai
has been taken in the selection Of agents 10
secure the available men.
II Is worthy OF special note that at Standing Rock
where sitting Bull slain, and where the first boOf
shed occurred in troubles the agent Mclaughlin
Of the Oldest and most expchenced men In the
service.
Mr. C4NNON DENIES SOME RUMORS
Regarding the rumors connecting with the vacsn,