Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-10-06
OUR RED BRETHREN
Thti Status 0u lined b
Commissioners Morgan.
The RIGHTS CT CITIZENSHIP
Should Be GIVE Them By the
Government.


annual report of the commissioner Of
Indian affairs has Just been submitted to
the secretary Of the interior The COM
missioner outlines what he regards as the
settled policy Of the government in its
dealings with the Indians, emphasizing
comprel ensiveness, definiteness Of aim,
clearness OF outline, adaptation of means
TO ends, Justice, ilrmuess, humanity.
radicaness, stability and time as the es-
scntial elements Of such n policy. lie
thinks the great forces now at work-laud
in sevcralty, with its accompanying dis
solution of the tribal relations and break
ing up of the reservation; the destruction
of the agency system; citizenship, and all
that belongs thereto of manhood; indie
pendence, privilege and duty; education,
which seeks to bring the rising generation
OF Indians into right relationship with the
age in which they live, and TO put into
their hands the tools by which they may
gain for themselves food and clothing and
build for themselves hombs-will. if
allowed to continue uudisturbed reason
able length Of time, accomplish their
benef,ent erds. The report discusses at
length the political status Of the Indians,
ana the commissioner draws the following
Practical Conclusions:
First-Durirg the whole course of our hi5-
tory the Indians of this country have been
treated as separate communities, sustaining
exceptional relations to us. They have been
regarded as having relations directly with tho
general government alone and not indirectly
through the states or 90 the states
Second-That the fiction of regarding them
as independent peoples has been displaced by
the theory Of regarding and treating them as
wards Of the general government
Third-That the purpose of the government,
Ingh ha. a
change their status from that OF wardship TO
that Of citizenship.
Fourth-That during the transition period
ard until the completion Of their citizenship
they should be regarded as subject 10 tho laws
OF the general government and under its care
and guardianship.
fifth-That the time has como for a declara-
tion by congress to the effect that hereafter il
will not recognize the Indian as competent to
make war; but that in our dealings with them
they shall not be treated as bellicgronts,b hut as
subject and dependent people capable of
course, Of insurrection, rioting or disturance
OF peace. but not of wagiug war.
SNth-lhat the general government has the
right, both for its own protection, for tho pro-
lection ofthc public welfare and for the good
OF the Indians not only TO establish schools in
which their children may be prepared for ciu-
zcnship, but also TO use whatever force may
be necessary TO secure 10 the Indian children
the benefit Of these institutions. Even in tho
cases where, by taking their lands in severalty
they are in process of becoming citizens, they
are still in a state of quasi independence, be.
cause the general government Withholds from
them for twenty-five years the power Of alien
ating their lands, while by eXcmpting them
from taxation for the same period il practi-
cally
Excludes Their Children
from The public schools For these reasons IL
would seem that the government has not only
~ RIGHT l. oil ION, g. Ia II
rcational provisions fer them, and 60 secure
20 their children the benefits Of those proyis-
ions.
SEVENTH submit that the time is at hand
for an extension over the Indians of the pro-
lection and privileges of our country. Mean
while the development on MISREPRESENTATION
Of the courts of Indian offenscs, by tho per-
fectirg of their code of procedure and the en-
largment Of their jurisdioticn, VIII be helpful
as preparation for complete participation in
our common life.
Eighth venture also 10 suggest whether the
time is not at hand for the passage of an en-
abling act, whereby tho five civilized tribes
may form either n territorial or state gov
ernment and be represented on tho loors Of
congress.
Ninth-That the tins has come when tho
Pueblo Indians should be admitted by a special
act of congress ito tine enjoyment Of all the
rights Of citizens Of the United States accord
ing to the principles OF the constitution" as
contemplated by the treaty OF Guadalupe
Ilidalgo.
Tenth-The definite determination by the
highest authority of The actual political status
of the Indians is necessary as II basis Of wise
legislation and 20 the satisfactory administra-
ton of Indian affairs.
After giving aa account Of the progress
made in the allotment of lands to the
Indians during the past year, tho COM
missioner says that "this radical and far
reaching revolution in the social status of
the Indians is making satisfactory pro-
gress. Land in severalty has in it the
promise and the potency of great things,
but only the promise and the potency. In
many cases it brings unutterable woe, and
in all il is liable 90 leave the Indians
Verse on Than Before"
Regarding the reduction OF the rc5erva-
tions, which has proceeded with such
rapidity during the year, the report says:
While It Ia possible to push this work too
rapidly, perhaps do not hesitate 10 cay that
the ultimate destruction Of the entire system
of reservations is inevitable. There Is no place
for IL in our present condition OF lie. The
millions Of acres of Indian lands now lying ab-
soutcly unused are needed rs homes for our
rapidly increasing population, and must be so
utilized. Whatever right and title tbcJUdians
have on them, L. subject 90, and must yield, to
the demands Of civilization. They should be
protected in the permanent possession OF all
this land that is necessary for their own sup
port, and whatever is ccded by them should be
paid for at its full market value. But 10 can
not be expected, undCr any circumstances
that these reservations can Tumain in the act
hindering the progress Of civilization, rcquir-
ing an army TO protect thcn from the en-
croachment of home-seckCrs and maintain
ing perpetual abode Of sayagcry and ANIMAL
ism.
The report discusses az length the sub
jcct ~ Indian education. The enrolment
Of Indian pupils for the year ended June
80 has beeu IL 92G, an increase over last
year Of l5i9.
The amount OF congressional apprGnria-
tion for Indian education available for the
year to come 10 nearly g. 5000. The
commissioner regards the education of
the Indians as the only solution of the In-
dian problem. Regarding contract schools
the commissioner recommends t4c main
tcuaucc Of the status quo for the present,
but urges that the appropriation of pub
lie funds Tor sectarian education is con-
trary TO the spirit Of the constitution, op-
posed to public policy. and ought at an
early date & q discontinued. lie expresses
strong appreciation Il the missionary
work d)he among the Indians by the
G. urylcs. and thinks the present time is
peculiarly favorable Tor the increace Of
such work