Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-10-07
EDUCATING THIINDIlNS
CARING FOR Wards OF TIE NATION
n Number Of IEpoTtsas saxgssttsns
MAas Asd Attsstioa Called 90
Some Changes That He
nssms AaEfssbis.

WAsHrxsfos. Oct. d-1fs sixtieth
annual report OF the commissioner OF
Indian affairs has Just been submitted
70 the secretary OF the interior. After
abiding 20 the increased public inter
est In the subject OF Indian administra-
ton the commissioner outlines " hat he
regards - the settled policy Of the gov
ernment Ia its dealings with the In
dams, emphasizing eomprehensiveness,
denaiteness Of aim. ciearness Of ont
line, adaptation Of means To ends. jusr
tice. firmness. humanity. radicalness.
stability, aud time IS the essential ele-
ments Of such policy. He
thinks the great forces now
st work-land IN ssveralty. with its
accompanying dissolution of the tribal
relation and breaking up of the reser-
walton, tho destruction OF the agency
system. citizenship and all that belongs
thereto. of manhood. independence.
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
homes-will. if allowed to continue un-
disturbed reasonable length Of time.
accomplish their benedcent ends.
The report points out that originally
the Indians were regarded as indie
pendent nationa,ities. then as depend
ent allies In 1871 congress forbade
making any treaties with the In
dams. and In 1887 the general
allotment act provided for the xl-
lotment of lands and the admis-
sion Of the Indians into full
citizenship. II says the time has como
for declaration by congress to the eff
feet that hereafter il viii not recognize
the Indians as competent 10 make war;
that they shall be treated not as bel
ligerents but Is subjects and de-
pendent people. capable Of In
surrection, rioting or disturb ancs
OF the peace. but not Of waging war;
that thu general government has the
right not only to establish schools for
Indian children, but also to use force
to secure TO these children the benefit
of these schools The commissioner
submits that the time is at hand for an
extension to the Indians o. tho psotec-
ton and privileges Of the courts, and
also thinks the time Is near Mt hand
when congress should pass an enabling
act whereby the i've civilized tribes
may form either q territorial or state
government and be represented on the
floors of congress The report says tho
allotment of lands 20 Indians is making
satisfactory progress The commits
sioner thinks the ultimate destruction
OF the entire system Of reservations is
inevitable.
Tie enrolment of Indian pupils FOR
the year ended June so was II, sec, an
increase over last year of 1,549 Re-
garding contract schools, the commits
sioner recommends the maintenance
of the status quo for the present,
but urges that the appropriation
of public funds for sectarian ed.
ucation IL contrary to the spirit
of tho constitution, opposed tc
public policy and ought at an early day
10 be discontinued He expressed
strong appreciation Of the missionary
work done among the Indians by the
churches. and thinks the present time
is peculiarly favorable for the increase
of such work. The amount of con
gressional appropriation for Indian ed
ucation available for the year to como
Is nearly 81. $50, 600 The commission
er regards the education of the Indiar
as tho only solution Of the Indian prob