The evening times., 1895-10-02
sItPAlk Is N POLITICS
He Hopes TO Arraign Catholics
Against Secretary Smith.
INDIAN SCHOOLS THE CAUSE

He Says They Have Not Been Fairly
Dealt With and That Irregularities
Exist-wishes Pastors to Speak
Out and Break Down the Existing
Policy of Reticence In the Pulpit.
An important prog grainme and policy are
to be discussed today in secret coDclave
by the Catholic archbishops of the United
States The plan involves the arragnment
of Hon. Hoke Smith, Secretary Of the In
terror for unjust discrimination in the adj
ministration OF Indian affairs, and there is
great possibility that the motives and forces
Of n new political agency are about to bs
set working.
The story is long and the grievances are
ancient Mgr. Stephan is the prime mover
and advocate of the new policy. As he was
only recently iApril 2, 1889 created
monsignor, or chamberlain of the Pope's
household, 1t is within bounds TO assume
that his projects have the sanction of Rome
and of the authorities OF the Propaganda
Eide Mgr. stephan denies that lie IS acting
under papal authority, but it Is very PROD
able that, t-lring his rc,tiht Visit To Rohie, ne
sought advice upon the momentous PROPOSE
tion laid before the American hierarchy.
He says:
OUT FOR GAME.
~ am now in politics. / am IN IL TO win,
and want everybody to know IL.
Mgr Stephan is the head of the bureau OF :
Catholic Indian missions. His urgent ap-
peals and strong efforts before Congress ana
departments in behalf of his charges are
generally known, Dutnever rbeforehashe been
SO in earnest.
3 lima hos
come for organized effort. The votes OF
the millions of Catholics must be put as
bar against this steady ard iDsidious
encroachment. He says organized attack
must be met by serricd defense, aud the
sympathies OF all broad-minded Amcri-
cans enlisted against the active and
ceascless efforts of coterie of bigots.
He assumes that the government should
have no religion; that it is the equal
arbiter of public rights. and therefore
not opposed or favorable to any creed,
sect or denominations; and, above all, he
claims that the attacks made lately have
been successful solely because OF the
organization that has characterized them.
Therefore the Catholics must band to-
gether.
TO ARRA1GN SMITH.
The initial move Will he the arraign-
ment of Secretary Smith, on charges pre-
ferred by the organization OF Catholic
Bishops. These will he laid before the
next Congress and an investigation not
only of the Nez Perce allotnIcnts asked,
but of ali matters pertaining to the conduct
of the Indian office. There have been
whispers among politicians who are Pro-
testant Iaymcn since these allotments be-
gan, that searching investigation would
reveal Irregularities, by which many have
benefited.
The arraignment of a Cabinet officer
by such methods and on such grounds is
profoundly sensational If Mgr. Stephan's
plans should carry, the next Congress
will be unique as his object is to have the
assembled bishops of his church memorabilia
Congress for redress of the wrongs al
legged Bit the far-reaching proposition
to organize the Catholic voters under and
directed by their bishops, acting in unison,
is a proposition contrary TO the tradi
tons of the American hierarchy. The
fact that it is to-day being seriously
urged upon their attention viii be news
to the world.
CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED.
Heretofore when we have been at
tackled" said Mgr. Stephan, "our priests
have been practically prohibited from
seeking relief through political agencies.
On the contrary, IL matters do not suit the
Protestants their ministers are usually
the first to sound warning and give ad-
vice TO tneIr HOOKS hereafter nope tnlS
reticeDce of Catholics ill he changed and
that we will stand up as an organization ior
our rights under the Constitution. We
have no decire to invade the riSths OF
others. but from now on those who willfully
disregard or nullify our rights to equal
privileges with other religious bodies in
this country Will have to answer for
such to the voters We propose to enlist
the sympathijes of all fair minded men
yp bp al N b,srg ha
dealt by. The history of our Catholic In
dian missions is reproach to the fair
dealing of this governnsnt. We have been
lavish of our private charities, but just
as soon as We seek proportionate share
of the funds the egoyernmentisspending onthe
Indians a howl goes up from a certain |
quarter, and instead of presenting and re-
cciving a just allow ance on our claims we
have 10 fight for every dollar we get from |
Congress and then engage in constant |
battle with the Indian Office to get the |
funds after they are appropriated We are |
tired of this, and / for one am going into |
politics. / am in it To- win. The only |
Way 10 win is to organize ~