The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-02

/ Their and further into the Western c4u1
| try. these conditions were changed, Fol
more Indians could visit the East, as1e
when each party came back with suS
stantially the same stories, the incredul-
| ity OF the stay-at-homes was gradually
but surely overcome. Today there is
| scarcely an Indian. certainly not one be-
longing to any of the suparier tribes, who
is not past the possibility of any great
| surprise al the white mans accomplish
| ments Perhaps it is only fair to credit
the showmen with a part of this evolu-
ton, but the time has gone by when they
can plead that their services are neces-
sary, or even of continuing advantage.
On the other hand, the idea has been
growing among thinking people that the
show business is bad one for the Indian
He is not exhibited as a triumph of
American methods of civilization. but is
put back for a season into his war-paint
and feathers, and encouraged to revive
not only the appearance, but the condi-
tons, Of his savagery. 1t is true that the
great mass Of the show Indians have been
recruited from the ranks of a generation
whose ways are practically past chang
ing. But the demoralizing influence Of
their example is felt among the younger
element Just the same When sons see
their father casting aside the insignia of
progress, and visiting strange lands and
earning money by representing himself
as only one step higher than the brutes
of the field, they naturally aspire to
similar life The abundant leisure. the
applause of the spectators, the oppor-
tunities for sightseeing without cost-an
these things make great impression
upon the minds of the youth in a tribe,
and distract their thoughts from the more
serious considerations which all of their
race must be prepared to face in very
few years at the outside.
1t may be argued that no power can
prevent an Indian from joining a show if
ne chooses TO do SO without the consent
Of the government, and hence that the
refusal of further concessions to the
showmen will simply change licensed
privilege into an unlicensed one, with
possibly more danger to the Indians con-
cerned. for the white exhibitors will not
then be bonded to take care of the In
dams they carry away. This is hardly
government should participate in any ret
progressive influence which it cannot sue
cessfully check. The logical question
simply reduces itself to this: shall the
government spend its millions to educate
its red wards out Of a barbarous mode of
life, only to consent to their being thrown
back into it from time to time when |
some one comes along who offers a |
bonded contract o do the thing in an hon
est instead of a fraudulent way? The !
damage to the Indian resulting from a |
false perspective of life and perverted |
is not affected by the circum- |
stance that the man who fnficts the dam |
age happens to be honest in his general |
business relations
Commissioner Jones is clearly on the |
right track 1t may be unfortunate that |
he did not take his present advanced /
stand earlier in his administration, and |
thus save one important firm of showmen |
the expense and annoyance of putting out
$50 600 worth of advance advertising on |
the assumption that the government |
would treat them this year as it has |
treated them uniformly in years gone by. |
But in extenuation of this fault it may
be recalled that up TO the present season
he had Nj Bliss for his secretary of the
interior, and that if a senator had told t
Mr.. Bliss that the showmen must have
the right Of way, all the good counsel or
earnest remonstrahces of Commissioner
Jones would have been thrown away.
There is considerable curiosity here to
see what Mr. Hitchcock will lido when the
showmen bring senatorial pressure to
bear upon him. Will he stand by his
or win he surrender with
out firing gun?