The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-07


and their influence is already plainly
marked. Young people are fitted for the
vocations Of civilized life and the duties OF
the family and home.
The education Of Indian children is q
work Of years. They come to the schools
for the most part wholly ignorant OF the
English language. unaccustomed to study,
inpatient Of restraint. and bringing with
them many Of the vices aud degrading
habits Of camp life. The work requires the
suppanting OF foreign language by our
own; the roofing out of barbarous habits
by the substitution OF civilized manners;
the displacement of heathenish sup
erstition by the incubation Of moral princi-
pies and the awakening OF sluggish minds
TO intellectual activity. There is much to
be undone before the Indian child is at the
starting point where the white child begins
TO learn the alphabet. Ten or fifteen yeart
OF instruction are considered necessary tos
the white youth. Can we expect the Indian
to learn as much IN less ttme9"
Are there not also schools upon the
reservationsF'
20. yes, there are more than a huns
dred of these at various agencies.
They had total average attends
ance lastly ear OF nearly $500.
Many of tn ESQ schools are new, and most OF
them are inadequately provided for. We
are doing all in our power, with the means
at command, to improve them. They are
surrounded by influences which seriously
hamper them In their work. They are far
removed from civilization and feel none of
the stimulating effect Of an intelligent pub
lie sentiment. The parents have ready
access to them aud often prove
troublesome guests by reason Of
their clamor for the return
OF the children to their tepees. Il Is found
exceedingly difficult to break up the use OF
the tribal tongue and teach them to use the
English language. In spite of these diff
Culties, however. the schools are exerting a
good and wholesome influence directly
upon the children ahd indirectly upon tha
older people of the reservations. There
goes out from them civilizing force, the
strength and value OF which can hardly be,
overestimated.
LET me say a word here Of the outing
system, as we call it. which prevails at
Carlisle. Hampton and other schools. Ii
ia the placing Of Indian children of both,
sexes.in white families where they are taught
and readily learn the ways OF housekeeping
and farming They are brought into close as
ISOLATION with the highest type Of American
home life. Except in rare instances tha
children under such conditions prove tract
able and industrious This experience in,
connection with their school instruction.
goes "a long way toward fitting them for USE
full citizenship
"Do any of the young men incline toward
the higher branches Of eduoationm
MANY do, and some are already carry,
ing out their ambition in this direction.
We havesnost worthy and excellent youug
Indians who are taking courses in medicine,
law or theology, preparing themselves for
the learned professlonB They expect to live
aud labor among their own people. IL is
reasonable to suppose that they will be am
important factor in reclaiminR and elevate
ing the race"
What is the present condition OF the,
Indians with reference TO the marriage res
latiousp
Very much better than 1t used to be, and
1t Is tmpr owing from year to year. We en-
deavor 10 teach lessons Of virtue and the
sanctity Of home and family. Naturally,
many Of the Indians cling to their old
habits with a tenacity that is not easily
broken. But the work OF reformation, if
slower than we could wish, is sure. A.
stumbling block has been in past years the
conduct of 'squaw men, as the Indians
call them-white mon who took to them,
selves squaw wives, without any ceremony.
In such GASES we have compelled the men to-,
marry their wives or leave the reservations
In many OF the tribes marriages are now regu-
larly solemniEed. AJoung Indian no longer
buys with pony the maiden who strikes
his fancy and loads h1r away TO his tepee.'
Lawful marriage ia encouraged in every
possible way and enjoined as far as We have
the power to do SO. Licentiousness 10 clearly
decreasing. and this is one of the most hope
full signs for the future of the Indiana
" How about the use OF hre-waterl"
II am glad to say that the use of ardent
spirits is also on the decline among the In-
dams. The vice Of intemperance has always
been one of the most difficuls evils to con-
tend with in the administration Of tina
affairs Of this bureau. A large proportion
OF the Indians spend much OF their
time in idleness and are. therefore.
-,
men, liable 10 indulge In drinking audi
gambling. These vices would be far less
prevalent IL the people could be employed
30 regard 1t Of the highest importancal
that they be taught to WORK and furnished
means and the opportunity. No doubt tho
Indian is oonstitutionally lazy. He does
not like hard work He would rather gol
hunting or fishing. / have heard of white;
people who have had a similar weakness
say again that she Indian can
and must be taught to work
aud then the vices that GO
with idleness will disappear. The example
of many white men addicted to intoxica-i
ton has had "a bad effect upon the Indians.
| regret 10 say that this applies to some who
have been in the employ OF the government
We have laws which strictly prohibit the
sale Of liquors to Indians, but this is violated
to some extent In spite of all we can do.
Our best efforts are being put forth to come
h6 llodE ds pO5slDlb W 6VlIs
The teaching Of temperance to the young
gives good reason to hope for greater sucs.
cess In the future"
what will be your policy as to permit
ting Indians to travel with Wild West
ahowsp
THE Secretary of the Interior has d.
rected that no more permits be granted,
and | am heartily glad of IL. So far as the
Indians are concerned, to say the least,
these shows have been harmful in their re-
suits. In all cases where engagements OF
this kind have been authorized, employers
have been required to enter into written
contracts with the Indians to pay them
fair stipulated salaries, TO supply them
with proper food and clothing, medicak
attendance, etc., TO protect them from inn
moral influences and employ a white man
Of good character to look after their well
fare. In some instances these contracts
have been complied with, while In others
the Indians have been abandoned and ses
adrift with their salaries unpaid.
THE policy Of granting permission for
Indians TO engage In shows OF this character
has doubtless rested upon the idea that i'm
addition TO readily earning money, they
could, by extensive travel through the state
and possibly Europe, become familiar with
the manners and customs of civilized life.
But while they may earn money and SEES
something of the world, their
F.WWa 81