The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-29
SHUT OFF RAIN|NS"
Is the Recommendation of the
Geary Conference.
HELD BY INDIAN WORKERS
Measures Taken to Suppress
Drinking and Gambling.
HELD BY INDIAN WORKERS

Geary, o. T, Oct. 2S.-At this place TINS
week the hard problem of improving the
American Indian was undertaken. Inc
second annual conference of Indian Work
ers assembled here. There were present
and taking part in the convention; Rev'
w. c. Roe and wife of Colony, Rev. D. A
Sanford and wife of Bridgeport, Revs- J.
s. Krenbiel and w. R.! Cummins OF Geary-
Major A E. Woodson. Indian agent, OF
Darlington; Superintendent Seger, nit
WELL Duncan and Sweeney, of the schools
of Colony, Red Moon and Whirlwind;
Mrs. Lyons and Miss Mccormick, heid
matrons; Miss Mitts, school matron;
Messrs. Cusey. Druley, Avant. Tyler.
Coleman and Panlus, Indian farmers. AL
so Rev. ]. Mcmillan. ]. Blake and Mrs
r. S. DruIey. Rev. Roe was chosen presi-
dent of the convention, and Superintend-
ent Whitwell secretary.
On Tuesday morning Major Woodson
read portions OF his last annual report 10
the commission of Indian affairs. From
his report may be gathered the following
facts: The total enrolment of Cheyennes
and Arapahoes, June 30. 1899, was S,047;
number of births. III; total number of
deaths, 26S. There has been great NOR
tally. he said. among the children.
Blindness among some is due to the ex-
cessive use of paint. He had refused
payments of money to those coming with
paint. Medicine men play upon the super
stitions of their people.
The first paper read was by Rev. San
ford: Government Dealings with Indians
in Relation to Morals and Religion" He
commended the government schools,
where he had during the last five years
been we'll received as a minister of reli-
gion. and where the cleanliness and good
order were vast improvement in morals
over the ordinary Indian camp. The gov
ernment's intentions were good, but there
were various abuses. Chief among these
abuses was the ration system, whereby
the Indians have been pauperied, manh
ness degraded. and a whole train of moral
evils followed in their train. The good
work of the various schools and other
good work had been blasted by the ration
system which had become a gigantic
curse to our Indians. He drew a contrast
with the Metlahkahtla Indians in the
southern part of Alaska, who had not
been so pauperied. but who are now
markedly prosperous. and who are mo
burden on the United States government.
Superintendent Whitwell read a paper
on Government for Indians and r. S.
Druley on Difficulties of the Indian
Work" thorough discussion followed,
Major Woodson and many others taking
part in the discussion.
In the evening addresses were made by
Rev. Cummins and Superintendent Seger.
Rev. Cummins spoke on Moral and
Physical Culture of the Indian
Mr.. Sger gave many "reminiscences OF
his life during the past Is years among
these Indians.
The committee on ''pauperizing tenden-
cies and preparation for sen-support"
made their report as follows:
''The committee appointed TO consider
what steps can be taken to avoid pauper-
izing tendencies, and to prepare these IN
dams for the time when the issue of "a
tions shall cease would report as follows:
an order to ascertain the views of 9TH
ers having had experience in dealing with
these Cheyennes and Arapahoes, the fol-
lowing inquiries were made Of the various
missionaries and government employees:
a Name what. in your opinion. are
the chief pauperizing tendencies in the
present methods of dealing with the
Cheyennes and Arapahoes.
"2. The remedy. What steps should be
taken?
''3. How soon ought rations to cease?
Gradually or suddenly?
~. If gradually. how to be arranged.
"5. How should the old and infrm be
provided for?
SO. What industries can you recon-
mend. that you are paying, suited to IN
dian tastes and adapted TO their condi-
ton?
''7. How can these Indians be started
In the industries that you recommend?
"s. Any additional suggestions.
ITO the first question the replies re-
ceived are practically unanimous that
the chief pauperizing tendency IS the
method now in vogue Of issuing rati1ns
to them.
'As to the remedy, while some would
discontinue rations at once. except 20 the
old and infirm. others would advocate
year OF preparation. the Indians TO have
clear and official warning that rations will
then cease.
"As TO how the old and inhrm should
be provided for. the opinions given differ
more widely Some would advocate the
Issuing OF rations 70 the old ard infirm;
while others advocate that a home should
be provided-either at the agency or AZ
some central location-where all aged and
inhrm should he free TO 70 and be SUD
ported under the direction OF the govern
ment employees.
las to industries. farming and farm
stock raising are recommended generally
as essential 20 the progress ~ these n
dams. as Is being attempted at present.
some. however. lay stress on the import
ance % getting these Indians started IN
stock raising. especially cattle and BE-
lieve that greater success can Be attained
BY cattle raising than - any other means
OF seif-support.
The committee believe that radical
change in the present methods IL esseatlai
in any marked progress in industries q
any kind A. ore has SAID Cutting oT
the rations world supply the most power
fui incentive FOR pursuing these lp8Us-
tries
The committee FEEL that thee Iu3lzzs
have in reality been greatly zronsed =
that they have been 80 grossly uaupe--
lied. Under such conditions il g. v@-y
difficult 20 make. OF ~ sny person -
grossly pa uDerized. either 3 good cjrizFn
OF q good Christian. u IS very dlfscslt
70 build up noble manly shz-scfe-.
The committee therefore ge1osamend
thai STEPS should be taken b. those II
suihorEss ~ totally diseoa-fn as - srssi-
So as practicable TIE preseat usethod q