New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-30
INDIAN SCHOOLS.
point.

Attempts are being made to reopen the whole
troublesome question of appropriations for Ind
ian schools. After much controversy Congress
in 1892 adopted definite policy looking to the
ultimate cessation Of Government appropria-
lions for the institutions If the various religious
denominations and the substitution Of public
for contract schools TO avoid any sudden
transition which would do injustice TO anybody
system of gradual reduction was adopted.
The decrease Of sectaran appropriations was
TO be at the rate Of 90 per cent each year. 80
that at the end OF five years the partnership
between the Government and the churches in
educating Indians would cease. Meanwhile the
Government was to build schools on the res
ervatons and be prepared 10 give its own teach
ing TO all Indian children. The five years have
now expired The Indian Bureau is prepared
TO undertake the entire work Of education. Yet
il is suddenly proposed 10 repudiate the COM
promise overturn the settled policy of the cOun-
try and engage once more in the annoying bust
ness Of distributing funds among church schools.
Vicious as the old sectarlan contract system
was. resulting in ill-feellng and UNCONVENTIONAL
| ouarrels as it invariably did yet II was justl-
fed by the conditions prevailing at the time Of
| It's establishment The missionaries had gone
| among the Indians and We're teaching them
where the Government had no schools, and II
was right for Congress TO use such instruments
| for civilization as were available. even though
il did depart from the sound principle Of abso-
| lutte separation Of Church and State. which has
made II possible for the adherents Of many re-
| ligions 10 live tremendously in this Republic.
| But few even Of those who accepted the Gov
ernment's bounty regarded the system as good.
One 10y one the denominations have declared
against the principle involved and ceased to ask
appropriations depending on private cOntribu-
| tiOns for the support OF their Indian schools. as
for the support OF their other institutions. This
voluntary withdra OF the benefciares them
selves has gone SO far that. we believe. recent
appropriations have gone almost if not entirely
| TO one denomination. and If the contract plan is
once more adopted The appropriation will he in
no sense distribution among the schools OF
different churches but practically a gift TO one
body.
The only arguments in favor of such a re-
versal OF policy are that the religious schools are
better than the public schools that the Indians
parents should have the right 10 choose religious
instruction for their children and that there are
vested interests in UNCONVENTIONAL school prop
erty demanding continued Government support.
The same arguments apply equally well TO
schools in the States American opinion has
long held that public schools If not the best in
themselves. were at least the best for the Gov
eminent to have anything 10 do with. II has
also been decided that the State cannot divide
its funds among schools 10 suit the religious
views OF parents without breaking down the
whole secular school plan and involving the
State Itself in endless controversy. As 10 vested
rights. five years have been allowed for adjust
ment with full notice that appropriations would
then cease All but one OF the churches have
accommodated themselves TO the policy an
nounced by Congress In the words: TT Is hereby
declared 10 be the settled policy Of the Govern
.Inent 10 hereafter make no appropriation what
ever for education In any seciaran school
The change does not come suddenly or take
anybody by surprise. The grants 10 denomina-
tional schools cease according TO an arrange
ment to which il was supposed everybody had
agreed The Indian Bureau has made It's prep
arations, and any retrogresson now would dis
organize its plans, made in obedience TO re-
peated direction Of Congress, and wrong the
Government In an effort to favor a denomlna-