The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-17

the first day OF July, 1885, 1 have now
| resigned, my resignation TO take effect
March next. Uaughter.)
About the Indians.
In the United States there are about
25o' 600 Indians, not including those in
the territory of Alaska. They are scat
tered all over the country. We have had
living among what are called the five
civilized tribes man who represents the
United states government. So deeply
is the thought of nationality rooted
among the tribes they think they are as
powerful as the United States govern
ment.
The second theory was that which re-
garded them as savages. We have fought
them and attempted to destroy them
and certainly, many Of them have disap-
peared before the march OF civilization.
In the past few years, / believe the senti-
ment that the only good Indian is dead
Indian has almost passed away.
"A third theory, which | think is
scarcely less brutal is that the Indians
are TO be regarded as creatures to b. cor
rallied md fed. There are "a great many
people, especially in the army, who think
that our duty to the Indian has been full
filled when we find them. This theory
deserves to take its place along with the
rest OF the others | mentioned
Another theory has been that they are
the wards of the nation, that the Govern
ment is their guardian. that the United
States shall never cease to be their guard.
ian and thev shall never be anything but
children. Some OF the enactments of the
first session OF the present Congress have
shown this aud that the Government
shall have the absolute control which a
guardian has over minors.
Another sentiment Is that they are
people Of whom something can be made
and that IL ia tbp Hntu Of
ment TO make something Of them. This
means that they are TO be United States
citizens.
Gen. Grants Action.
In 1859 President Grant appointed a
Board of Indian Commissioners. This
was known MS the beginning of the 'poace
policy. In 1876 Senator Dawes secured
the appropriation OF $50. 600 for the edu
cation OF the Indians at the public's ex-
pense. In 1879 the school at Carlisle was
opened by Cap ain Pratt In 1889 the
work OF the Indians education was en-
larged and lifted TO higher plain. The
work was placed under the civil service
rules
"when 1 was called to the office I faced
iacts knew nothing about, except in
theory.
The work Of the Office is simply i'm
mense. There are in the office eighty
cler = constantly employed. The COM
missioner is limited in his power. lie
does not appoint the Indian agents or
even special agents, and can't spend 25
cents Tor broom for an Indian school
without formally writing letter To the
Secretary of the Interior
Another thing have ATTEMPTED To do
Is TO lift the Office out OF politics IL has
been Herculean effort not entirely
crowned with success. The work at one
of tue schools, though n good one, WAS of
an inferior character. L chose "A super-
lnteudent and thought had found the
best possible. Senator ingalls, said he
needed the influence OF that man 10 secure
his re election. lie plead with me for
IN hour but politely refused TO allow ~.
senator lugalls then fought me and OBJ
&c ed 20 the bill raising my salary from
1900 Co 5000, securing a mai rity OF |
'wo against me. SO / paid 81 90 for my |
ndeDendence and Thought IL money |
we'll spent.
The superintendent of the school had |
% he removed. When 1 refused 10 allow |
senator Plumb to take a hanG i'm my /
'ilidirs he fought me aud visited. my |
'fhce but once In two YEAR, then TO i'm. /
roduce Senator Pfeffer Other examples
night be given OF attempts to put the
'fhce on "a political hasis.
It Was n Hard job
1t has not been easy. therefore. 10 res.
ne the Indian service from politics.