Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-22

o,ugress. Finally plan giving sscu-
lar school control to the government
was accepted ~ President Harrison's
administration.
''UDder Commissioner Morgan . very
efficient system of education had been
organized; the appropriations have
been very considerably increased and
IL. updcr the present administra ton.
the FORK il carried on as efficiently
and vigorously IA il 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
Yndians?"
1.-The next step Is tn secure practical
civil service reform In the Indian de-
partment. Everything. Of course, de-
ponds ON the personnel of the agents
and their subor,linatcs. Under Gen.
Harrisun's administration the civil
service reform rules were extended To
the school-teschers In the Indian serv-
ice, which was distinct gain"
"Do You think the civil service rules
should be applied in the selection of
ehc agents."
1T Is not practicable. in my judg-
meut, To extend those rules u the In
dian agent. The agent must be Sc
lected for qualities which cannot he
got at by competitive examination.
HUT. under the last administration. the
appointments were made on q thor
oughly bad principle. The commits
sioncr Of Indian affairs was never con-
suited Il believe not in a single in
stance) in 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 I'm the state or terri
tory In which the reservation. over
which the agent exercises al almost
despotic control. was situated. Some
pointed. When an Indian war was
threatened one Of them ran away from
HIS post and did not come hack until he
came with the army.
what Is now desired by all friends
Of the Indians Is that President Cleve-
land shall appoint an Indian commits
kioner who is familiar with the Indian
work and the men In the field. and
shall allow him TAI weed ont the inco-n-
pctent and unworthy agents, and ,vi-
courage him Va keep in their places all
the agents that are competent and
worthy, regardless Of politics.
Before the inauguration 81 rrcsi-
dent Cleveland . number Of gentlemen
headed by myself waited upon him Mt
Lakewood In the interests Of Indian
service reform
mr.. Cleveland thoroughly approved
of the general principle We laid down.
He also asked us IN suggest some
names for Indian commissioners. and I
believe some names were afterwards
given Ia him by the ieru'ntion. W.
also suggested ~ Mr. cleveland that
th. Indian agents should ir appointed
ON the ground. 90 competency sni
without regard 80 politics. We also
urged the extension and devclopms at
az tho educational sys'c,n
What would - tho qualifications 10
m e~ep'shle Indian AGENT
tlrrt e all The aren, shunld - n
'nau ~ thorough honesty, With real
Interest ia ihr tnerai AMI intellectual
Development ~ ga, Indian rac~ lie
sh"oid be man ~ affair. With a
strong AMI f~-uln'e will 49, ,hs, d.
can 10 neither cocrrci nor Catered
"a' - The performance ~ his duty.
"ithst ~ the lsiisns "a the epe hsnl,
80 Nv interruptions whites On ths
either
MOREOVER the t.s,.i,,,-n cp,sl.i We si--
sassd Nv r'sias tha asrrst . hishe,
ssss" l-ass-stssla aud hoiiias hlrs g. .
sss'"f accountability tat 81 nile fns %
rs.ss's'a y thst "a. salaries - the
sseai s',sh, 80 De- Increased e. b sst
ssseh ssss',hs' sie~s Tie seseffstrrs -,
hsst sstseii.ises ne fstesls.is - i,-,h
&c shs hest ssea t.f a. sd1os
Asi.is frsssa the ake "a .ss rs.a
tsssaas, De- 10 sa.t etI.sf asg.aiss