New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-15
INDIAN CONFERENCE PLATFORM
A DEMAND THAT THE INDIAN BUREAU BE
TAKEN OUT OF POLITICS

Lake Mohonk. " Y. Oct. f-At the morning
session Of the Indian Conference to-day the Rev.
DR. Lyman Abbott. chairman Of the Business Com
mittees. presented their report OF platform. as
follows:
Great progress has been made in dealing with the
Indian race in our country. The Nation no longer
oeFn peepe as s'sS psope u as
President Grant have been carried forward toward
the reservation system has been accepted and in
many OF the reservations the land has been allotted
benefit Of the Indians less money IS extended
In rations; which pauperize. and much more IN
The Government has recognized the value Of tho
education OF the Indian women in their homes IN
to on this work e
nership between the Nation and the churches ha.
been discontinued. and now only denomna-
tional body looks the Government for aid in
depomna 81 ms ne schools Of ne Other
the Government itself has organized and is carry
Ing on with comparative efficiency tho work 81 the
similar education OF all Indian children OF school
age in the reservations.
Neyertheiess, the Indian problem is SIN FAR from
solution a needessly expensive system Is main
tanned nominally TO care for the Indian. In large
The schools, the clerks I'm the Bureau at washing
under the civil ss law bni With psen these s
ceptions the Indian Bureau a political
every Presidential eecos BY both pemocrat a
and Republican, administrations have been
neither familiar with Indian affairs nor acquainted
Win methods OF education. Indian agents and.
training or any evidence Of hsr nss. for eS
office In more than one instance drunken officials
nave been appointed In the reservations. and wen-
authenticated complaints have failed to secure
their removal or have resyffed only in transfer 10
another field. with increased salary In those
cases IN which the reservations have been disopn.
tinued and the land has been allotted IN .everaty
tanned though considerable service Is required
ana the retention Is clearly against the spirit OF
when the appointments have been left With the
| indian Commissioner when they have been r.
sng b by the he's Secretary OF the TO- hms
! politicians. Some excellent officials have been 40
pointed and some excellent work has been acco el-
pshed. but this is not because. but in spite o. me
| system.
Two Illustrations OF the evil, OF this systsm Rave
| been afforded during the last year The Arst Is
! the removal Of DR.. Hailman Notwithstanding his
splendid record Superintendent ~ Indian Schools
ettested by protests against HIS removal from ms
OF all parties and all sections who were famiiar
| with his work including many educational experts
The second co Is the outbreak Of chippewa 1ndan'
agreement OF 1899 covenanted 10 sell FOR their bone
ht and IS SIN apprssing and reappraisins
| ments. extravaeantly conducted having aireadr
been set aside "a worthless, with q third apprntss-
ment now In progress
We have appealed TO successive ahninistrut1pns
to remedy these abuses, and the abuses still oon-
States 10 demand OF their Government that the
! indian Bureau be taken out Of politics; that ftO
litical officer. TO be changed with every change OF
administration: that the work Of tho Bursau 6e
intrusted 70 experts and left in their hands gnul
! IL is accomplished. And also appeal 70 then
TO demand Of Congress that II on foot at onon
measures 70 bring the Indian Bureau and its work
OF the reservations and the allotment Of the Land
IN severaty; that It give all Indians everywhere a
right 10 appeal to the courts. and render all Indians
| everywhere accountable TO the courts and that n
| thus prepare the way for the abolishment az a
the whites and an impeachment TO Sv1lisstosA
This platform, with slight verbal amendnusnt N,
was adopted.