Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-10
SECRETARY OF TIE NAVY.

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
shows that a very gratifying progress
has been made in all of the bureaus
which make up that complex and diff
cult department. The work in the
Bureau of Indian Affairs was perhaps
never so large as now, by reason OF the
numerous negotiations which have been
proceeding with the tribes for a reduc-
ton OF the reservations, with the
incident labor Of making al
lotments. and was never more
carefully conducted. The provision OF
ADEQUATE school facilities for Indian
children. and the locating OF adult In
dams upon farms involve the solution
of the "Indan question" Everything
else-ratons, amenities ard tribal nego-
tiations, with the agents, inspectors and
commissioners who distribute ana con-
duct them, must pass away when the
Indian has become a citizen, secure III
the individual ownership OF farm
from which he derives his subsistence
by his own labor, protected by and sub
ordinate TO the laws which govern the
white man and provided by the general
government, or by the local communl-
ties In which he lives, with the means
of educating his children.
When an Indian becomes a citizen In
an organized state or territory his rela-
tion to the general government, ceases
in a great measure, to be that OF a ward,
hut the general government ought not
at once to put upon the state or terri
tory the burden of the education OF his
children. 1t has been my thought that
the government schools and school,
bnildines upon the reservations would
be absorbed by the school systems OF
the states and territories; but, as II has
been found necessary to protect the In
dian against the compulsory alienation
of his land by exempting him from tax
alton for q period OF twenty-five years,
il would seem to be right
that the General Government, GER
tainly where there are tribal
finds in its yossession should pay to the
school fund OF the State what would be
equivalent to the local school tax upon
the property Of the Indian. 1t will be
noticed from the report OF the Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs that already
some contracts have been made with
district schools for the education OF In
dian children. There is great advan-
tage, l think, in bringing the
Indian children into mixed SCHOOLS.
This process will be gradual,
and in the meantime the present educa-
tional provisions and arrangements,
the result of the best experience OF
those who have been charged with this
work. should be continued. rms VIII
enable those religious bodies that have
undertaken the work OF Indian educa-
,ion with so much zeal and with results
so restraining and benehcient TO place
their institutions in new aud useiul
RELATIONS TO THE INDIAN.
Tho outbreak among the Sioux, which
occurred in December last, Is as 10 caus-
es and incidents fully reported upon oy
the War Department and the Depart
nent OF the Interior. That these Indl-
ans had some just complaints, especial
~ in the matter OF the reduction OF the
appropriation for rations ana In the de-
laws attending the enactment OF laws TO
enahle the department 10 perform
the engagements entered into with
them, is probably true, but the
So,,ir tribes are naturally warlike and
fnrhnlent. and their warriors were ex-
cited by their medicine men and chiefs,
VINO preached the coming OF an Indian
Messiah, who was to give them power
to destroy their enemies. !.
In view of the alarm that prevailed
among the white settlers near the reser-
walton and of the fatal consequences that
would have resulted from an Indian In
cursion, / placed at the disposal OF Cen
araI Miles. commanding the Division Of
the Missouri, all such forces as were