The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-10-10
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1891.
AN INTERESTING REPORT.


UNE, will be read with much interest b
those who have studied the IndiaI
problem as it presents itself to western
people. The commissioner outlines tn
policy of the government in its dealing
with the Indians and offers conclusion
which suggest themselves upon a surve,
OF the situation. 1t will be noticed tina
he does not promise an immediate har
vest Of the seed which is being sown blu
frankly confesses it will take years t
bring about the desired change in tn
condition of the Indian. The work nov
~inaugurated is not expected to bea
much fruit until the next generation o
indians come upon the stage of life ant
be brought into contact with the %civiliza
ton of that day. Education is the great
factor which Is to work out the Indian
problem.
At present the Indian is treated as a
ward Of the government to which alone
he is responsible for his acts. The gov
eminent deals directly with him, the
state in which he may be located having
no voice in the disposition of his person
or property. This relation of govern
ment to ward is to be continued until by
educational training he shall be able to
step from his dependence into all the
rights and privileges of full citizenship.
In the meantime congress will be called
upon to declare that Indians are incapa-
BILE of making war, but capable of insur-
r~ection, rioting, and disturbance of the
peace. The right and the duty of the
general government to establish and
maintain schools among the Indians are
emphasized by the commissioner. While
acknowledging the benefits of missionary
work among the Indians by the churches,
and while recommending non-interfer-
nee by the government with the pres
ent established sectarian schools for
their education. he urges that the ap-
preparation of public funds for the main
tenance of such schools be discontinued
as contrary to the spirit of our constitu-
ton.
The commissioner shows wisdom in
his conclusions concerning reservations.
While lands in severalty should be al
lotted to the Indians with the present
restrictions, the reservation system
should be broken up. The demands of
the armies of hOmeseekers moving west
ward, and the encroachments of an ag-
civilization render the main
of reservations impolitic and
unwise. The lands are useless to the
Indians and are wanted by settlers.
1t will be noticed, as has been stated,
that the essence of the government
to ~civilize its wards and make
them useful citizens is to be found in
The establishment and maintenance of
for it is through an education to
continued through generations of red
men that the great change in their con-
'ition is to be brought about. The In
iian child must be taken into the school
Dom and be clothed, and fed and taught.
is parents cannot be reached with the
chool book. But they must be cared
or and clothed and at the same time be
aught to farm and care for stock and
what they can toward their own pro-
ision.
This seems to be the theory of the gov
But how is it carried out?
re Indian children ~taught,and cared for
y the government? Are they receiving
instruction necessary to wean them
'om their savage ways? Are the adults
aught useful occupations and helping to
for themselves? These are ques-
ions which the commissioner may
nswer in his complete report. but he
ails to refer to them in the brief synop-
is the dispatch gives us. But whatever
is nswe may be the fact is patent to
very observing western man that there
a wide divergence between the theory
the government and the practice of a
of those entrusted with the
barge of the Indians. Without refer
-ng in special terms to that practice it
be put down as a fact that as long
s IndiaI hlldren are not compelled to
ttend Sc. Iol; that as long as they are
emitted to roam over or off their huge
eservations at their own sweet will;
nat as long as their parents are permit
I'd to remain unemployed and idle, lead
,g a lazy, shiftless life, depending
holly upon the government for their
lbsistence, just so long will the fine
leory of the government and its prac-
ce fail to touch anywhere upon their
mes.
The tax taxpayers of Cascade county