The morning times., 1895-10-02
FATHER STEPHAK'S PLAN
Continued From First Page.

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 creeu,
sect or denomination; and, above all, he
claims that the attacks made lately nave
been successful solely because OF tue
organization that has characterized thefn'
Therefore the Catholics must band to-
gether.
The initial move will be the arraign-
ment of Secretary Smith, on charges pre-
ferred by the organization of Catholic
Bishops These will be laid before the
next Congress and an investigation not
only of the Nez Perce allotments asked,
but of all matters pertaining to the cohduct
of the Indian office. There have been
whispers among politicians who are FRO
testant Iaymen. since these allotments be-
gan, that searching investigation would
reveal irregularities, by which many have
benefited.
WILL MEMORABILIA CONGRESS.
The arraignment of a Cabinet officer
by such methods and on such grounds is
profoundly sensational. II Mgr. Stephan's
plans should carry, the next Congress
will be unique as his object is to have the
assembled bishops ofhis church memorlaiize
Congress for redress of the wrongs al
legged. Bait the far-reachinS proposliion
to organize the Catholic voters under ana
directed by their bishops, acting iu unison,
is proposition contrary 10 the tradi
tions of the American hierarchy. The
fact that it is to-day being seriously
urged upon their attention viii be news
to the world.
"Heretofore when we have been at
tackled said Mgr Stephan, .our priests
have been practically prohibited from
seeking relief through political agencies.
fDr2 dn n ~
Protestants their ministers are usually
the first TO sound q warning and give ad-
vice TO their nocks. Hereafter hope TINS
reticence of Catholics W i'll be changed and
that we will stand up as an organization Tor
our rights under the Constitution we
have no decire TO invade the rlStns OF
others, but from now on those who wilifully
disregard OF 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
who would do TO others as they would be
dealt by The history OF our Catholic In
dian missions is a reproach TO the fair
dealing of this government We have been
lavish OF our private charities, but just
| as soon as we seek proportionate share
| of the funds the government isspending onthe
Indians a howl goes up from certain
quarter, and instead of presenting and re-
| ceiyinr a Just allow ance on our claims we
| have to 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 1 am in it to win. The only
| way to win is to organize"
LOOKS LIKE A PATRIARCH.
Mgr. Stephan is a man nearly seventy
years old. His venerable appearance is
rendered patriarchal by his flowing gray
| beard and hair. His priesthood has been
devoted to the civilization of the Indians.
What has been accomplished he will take
pains to let the public know. Gen. Thomas
| A. Ewing, the brother-in-law of Gen. Sher-
man, up to the time Of his death was asso-
ciated with him In the administration OF the
bureau of Catholic Indian missions, which
| is quasi governmental institution, organ
ized for the purpose of controlling the
| Catholic contract schools and disbursins
the funds allowed by Congress.
The bureau is also largely supported by
| charita BILE contributions from private
| sources Indeed, it would have lost its use
fulness few years ago had it not been
| for the munificence of Miss Drexel who
handed over to it upward OF 100000 to
carry on its work during the period that
| ex-Commissioner Morgan was waging his
| bitter warfare on the institution.