The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-06-06

congress. flnally plan giving Secu-
lar school control to the government
was accepted by President Harrson's
administration
Under Commissioners Morgan very
efficient system of cduca ton had been
organi%cd; the appropria tions have
been very considerably increased and
If, under the present administration,
2he work is carried on as efficiently
and vigorously as it was under the
last. there is no reason why in four
years from now there should not be
substantial educational provision
under the federal government for the
education of all Indian children of
suitable age who are. or recently have
been. on the reservations"
What further reforms, doctor, are
asked for by the friends of the
1ndians"'
The next step is to secure practical
civil service reform in the Indian de-
partment. Everything, of course, de-
ponds on the personnel of the agents
and their subordnates. Under Gen.
ilarrisOn's administration the civil
service reform rules were extended to
the schooi-teachcrs in the Indian scrv-
ice. which was distinct gain"
do you think the civil service rules
should DC applied in the selection of
the agcnts?H
1T is not practicable, in my judg-
ment, to extend those rules to the In
dian agent. The agent must be Sc
lectcG for qualities which cannot be
got at by d competitive examination.
But under the last administration, the
appointments were made on Il thor
onghiy bad principle. The commits
Sioncr of Indian affairs was never con
suited q believe not in Il single in
stance) II respect to the appointment
of any agent. The principle of what
was called home rule was adopted by
the secretary of the interior, under
which the Indian agents were appoint
ON the nomination or request of the
local politicians in the state or terri
tory in which the reservation. over
which the agent exercises an almost
dcspotic control, was situated. Some
very incompetent agents were APP
pointed. When an Indian war was
threatened one of them ran away from
his post and did not come back until he
came with the army.
What j. now desired by all friends
of the Indians is that President Clcvc-
land shall appoint an Indian commits
sioncr who is familiar with the Indian
work and the men in the field, and
shall allow him to weed out the incom-
potent and unworthy agents, and en-
courage him to keep in their places all
the agents that are competent and
worthy, regardless of politics.
Before the Inauguration of Prcsi-
r
hcadcc by myself waited upon him at
Lakewood in the interests of Indian
service reform.
Mr.. Cleveland thoroughly approved
of the general principle we laid down
lie also asked us to suggest some
names for Indian commissioner, and !
believe some names were afterwards
given TO him by tho dcputation. We
also suggested to Mr.. Cleveland that
inc lndlan agents should be appointed
on the grounds of competency and
without regard to politics. We also
urged the extension and development
of the educational system"
What would be the qualifications Of
an acceptable Indian agent?"
First Of all, the agent should be a
man of thorough honesty, with a real
interest in the moral and intellectual
development of the Indian race. lie
should he man of affairs, with IL
strong and rcsolute will, SO that hr
can be neither coerced nor hattcrc,.
out of the performance of his duty,
either by the Indians on the one hand.
or by interruptions whites on the
other.
Moreover thc position could b. cir-
vated By giYiaS TIE agent hi.'l,r
compensation and holding him u 4
strict accountability. but wh.., ~, IN.