The evening times., 1897-01-20
THE WORK AMONG INDIANS
Twenty-sixth Conference Of the
Commissioners.
SOME INTERESTING REPORTS
The American Missionary SOciety's
Physician States That the Red
Men Are Decreasing in Numbers.
The Election of Officers and Ad-
dresses. E-sa

len InulaD COTnTnSSlOHeFs anu dDOuO loI-
ty representatives OF societies for the pro-
motion OF uiissiOuary' work among the In
dans assembled in the parlors OF the Eo-
btt House this morning ia attendance upon
the twenty-sixth annual conference of the
United states Board OF Indian Commission
ers. Commissioner Of Indian Affairs Brown
ing and Superintendent OF Indian Schools
Heilman were also present.
As President Gates was detained from
the session by important business, Hon.
Darwin r. James of Brooklyn was elected
temporary chairman. The other officer Of
the board is the secretary, Mr.. Eliphalet
Whittiesy.
Chairman James opened the session by
short address, in which he referred to the
work OF collecting statistics in the field OF
Indian education now being pursued by
Secretary WhittIeSey. he then went on to
outlinethe W ork, past and future, of civiliz
ing the red man, and in conclusion de-
clared his conviction that the hope for
future progress in this direction lies in
the direction of religious activity.
The Rev. Dr. Fisher offered prayer
asking aid for the work and workers
among the Indians.
ment of President Messerve, OF Shaw Col
ored University, OF North Carolina; Mrs.
Quinton, OF the Indian Rights Association;
Dr.. Sheldon Jacks on, Mr.. Edward NJ.
Whistern and Mrs. Clinton Fiske, as a
committee TO arrange the order OF busi-
ness to be pursued in the various sessions.
While the committee was in conference
DR.. c. J. r yder, secretary, read report Oh
the work among the Indians by the Ameri-
can Missionary Society.
Reference was made to the theory that
the Indians are decreasing in numbers, and
in corroboration the physician of the soci
ETY. was quoted, who said: Il think the
population OF the Indians on this reserva-
tion-the Sioux is decreasing. There were
ten more deaths than births the past year"
Speaking of the industrial training which
isgiven the aborlgines at the mission schools
the report said: ''At the jubilee meeting
of the American Missionary Association
in Boston last October, many remarked
upon the varied character and excellent
workm manship of the products of the Indian
Industrial schools The Indian, as a rule,
surpasses all the ether depre Ssed races of
America in printing"
Following this, reports were read from
the Domestic and Foreign Missionary So
ciety of the Episcopal Church, the Baptist
Missions, the Orthodox Friends, the Meth
odist Missionary Society, the Southern Pres
byterian Church and Mennanite, reporting
tbeproCress of their respective labors among
the Indians They were generally of a
most encouraging nature.
DIR. Eastman, an Indian graduate of Ear-
-oPt lao
the Indians, gave a short talk on the prog
ress of the Y. NJ. c., A. among his people.
In response to formal invitation from
the board, Lieut.. Frank Hamilton Cushing,
U. s. A, spoke next upon "The necessity Of
the Indian ON the part of those who would
teach him. 5,
Lieut. Cushing has made life study Of
the Zuni Indians He dwelt upon the ne
cessity Of going among the red man, not as
a teach er, but as brother and "a
helping friend. The Indian, said the speak
er, is apt to learn, but disinclined to learn
The conclusion of this address brought
the meeting to a close, and an adjourn
ment was taken until O'Clock.
At the election President Merrill e.
Gates, of Amherst College, was reelected
chairman, and Gen. Ehphalet Whittleseyseo-
retary Of the board. The annual report
of the board ON the work of the year was
considered and prepared for publication.