Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-19
1t Failed in Indian Commits
siOner Morgan's Case.
His Spite Against the Catholic Mis-
sions Unappeased.
Friendly Letters from Cardinal Gibbon 6
and Father Chappelle Replied to
in . Discourteous and
Caustic Manner.
Associated Press Dispatches.


with that bureau, Commissioner Morgan
Says:
s'On entering upon my present duties
1 expressed my preference for the gov
eminent rather than for the contract
system, as being more in harmony with
the American idea of education in pub
lie schools. I at the same time stated
that schools maintained by the govern
ment for the education of the Indians,
should be strictly non-sectarian and nom
partisan and further, that the appro-
priation of public funds to sectarian
schools, in my opinion, is contrary to
the spirit, if not the letter of the
constitution, and opposed to public
policy. My position on this question
waa violently assailed by your bureau !;
false charges were preferred against me,
and most determined, but futile efforts,
were made to prevent my confirmation,
and to secure my displacement. Those
You employ in the field, and others, in
stieated apparently by the attitude of
the bureau, bave endeavored directly or
indirectly, to hinder the efforts of the
Rovernment in its beneficient education
and civilizing of the Indian through its
own appropriate means. Influences
emanating from your bureau have been
in some respects, at least hurtful, and it
il certainly not It's fault that the govern
ment schools have not been crippled FOR
even destroyed. While drawing hun
dreds of thousands of dollars of govern
ment funds to build up and sustain mis-
sion schools under your charge, your
bureau has thrown the whole weight of
ats influence against the government,
npon whose bounty it has subsisted.
Further correspondence was made
public this afternoon. Under date OF
July 9Th, Father Chappelle replied to
Morgan asserting that each and every
member of the bureau has declared that
he has no knowledge of any kind rela-
tive to the newspaper articles rejecting
ON the commissioner. One of these
xrticles was later discussed in the
presence of Mr.. German, an employee
of the bureau, and the person alleged to
have inspired it, and the conclusion was
reached that no member or employee OF
of the bureau had right to make such
an assault upon the Indian Office, or any
other public office. German thereupon
resigned his position in the bureau.
In conclusion, Father Chappelli says
the policy of congress, as understood by
the bureau, is in perfect harmony with
the objects of the bureau, towit: To
aid in perfecting the system of educa-
tion among the Indians inaugurated by
President Grant when he established
his celebrated peace policy.
The commissioner has also received
q letter from Cardinal Gibbons. dated
at Cape May, in which he expresses re-
gret at the appearance of the newspaper
article referred to. He says he is
very much opposed to personal
attacks of this kind. Referring
to Commissioner Morgan's announced
dissemination to sever the relations be-
tween the Indian Office and the bureau,
the cardinal submits that this is verv
grave step and one he fears will be
fraught with much embarrassment and
productive OF discord and trouble. The
cardinal trusts the commissioner will
reconsider the matter and conclude to
continue the relations existing with the
bureau.
On July 18th the commissioner sent
another letter to Father Chappelle, in
which he saws he sees no reason for any
modification of his act. He adds !:
"Your assurance that the efforts of
your bureau in the future will be, as in
the past they have been, to cordially CO.
operate in harmony in every proper
manner with the Indian office,
is q little too suggestive, and
promises anything but friendly
relations. If had read Director Ste
phens' offensive official letter of April
10Th, prior to my interview with you,
that interview. Notwithstanding my
sincere desire for friendly cooperation
with your bureau, would never have
been sought; and while that letter re-
mains on file In this Office, without an
apology. and Stephens remains officially
connected with your bureau, any official
relations between it and this Office will
be by courtesy and not by right. have
already signed several contracts with
glad to enter into the new order oi
things."
In replying to the letter from Cardi-
nal Gibbons, the commissioner says
brief and summary statements of his
two letters to the bureau can give but q
faint idea OF the enormity of the ofenses
of the bureau, continued through nearly
two years; offenses which have been
patiently endured until forbearance is
no longer virtue. The commissioner
says that the position that the
bureau is not to be held
responsible for the action its
employe, or employees or attaches
unless those actions are officially
indorsed by it, is not considered
tenable by this office; and the position
OF the bureau in declaring
that private grievances of officials
should not in any case be allowed to
stand in the way of the due administra-
tion of the public business intrusted to
their charge, will hardly stand the test
ofreason. The assaults upon his personal
character could hardly have been pleas
ing, but when they went forth under
the sanction of great bureau styling
itself Christian, some of them embodied
in an official communication to
the United States senate, they cannot be
REGARDED merely trifing personalities.
Msnv Of them were laid before the presi-
dent by q committee of bishops, and
made the basis of q demand for the re-
moval Of the commissioner of Indian
affairs.
The commissioner insists that he has
been maliciously misrepresented and
misunderstood. He had not now and
never had the slightest antipathy
towards Catholics, and his attitude
~. oof cabr.nlo bo