The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
EDUCATION OF INDIANS
DiScu sSiOn in the Senate On The
Question Of Schools
Mr.. Vest EuI"gizcs the work Done
by Jcsuits in the West and De-
poEuceS the Influences Which
Operated AgninSt Them Sena-
tors Lodge nad Gn1IInEer Reply.

The Indian Appropriation bin was taken
up in the Senate yesterday and its consid-
grafton was proceeded with
Mr.. Jones Of Arkansas offered an amend
meni authorizing the Secretary OF the In
terror to make contracts with present con
tract schools for the education Of Indian
pupils during the fiscal year 1901; but
only a. places where school facilities have
not been provided by the Government
Nj Thurston. in charge of the bill
opposed the amendment on the ground that
the true policy Of the Government iu rela-
tion 20 Indian pupils was to carry on its
own schools without any regard whatever
TO the religious question. He thought il
unWiso 10 have the question reopened and
discussed before The country Il had been.
five or six years ago a matter Of very seri-
Gus disturbances throughout the length
and breadth Of the United States and then
the understanding had been reached that
sectarian schools. or outside schools would
be done away with. Since then the Gov
ernment had been providing new school
fscilties. and now the Secretary Of the
interior and the Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs advised Congress that they could
take care OF all Indian pupils.
Mr. Vest asked Mr.. Thurston whether
the Government schools referred 10 were
day schools or boarding schools.
Alr. Thurston replied that they were day
schools. For his own part. he said. he
would like to have all pupils uncluding
lndiarsl educated in religious faith. al
though he had no choice as TO any particu-
lar denomination.
\ Point of order RniSed.
HE amendment that il was new legislation.
but the point was overruled BY the Presi-
dent pro. tcmpore
Mr. Jones argued in support Of his
amendment putting it On the ground that
the number Of Indian pupils largely ex-
ceeded the capacity Of the Government
schools.
DO you want to go back to the old sys-
TEN Of mixing church and state?" Mr.
Kyle asked.
Il do not think there ever was such q
system. Mr. Jones replied. Il believe
that The contract schools did grand and
noble work while they were at it."
In the course OF a long discussion a
striking speech was made by Mr.. Vest ia
eulogy OF the work Of the Jesuits among
the Indians. He prefaced his remarks by (
saving that he had no sympathy with I
Roman Catholic doctrines. and had never Z
been in a Catholic Church. But the 4
Jesuits wherever they were allowed 10 do 4
So without bigotry and fanaticism. and I
The cosardice Of insectivOTous politicians. i
who were afraid Of the A. p. A.. had elc- /
waited the Indian and made him a Chris 4
tian and. above that. made a workman I
able to support himself and those de- /
pendent upon him. Continuing Mr.. Vest
said.
Go through the Blackfeet reservation. I
81 Montana and look from the cars OF the I
Northern Pacific Railroad and you will I
Sc how the work Of the Jesuits was car |
Ticd Oh until the A. p. 4. and the towards (
who were afraid OF &c. struck it down and
nov there are 400 children on that reser- /
Walton without there being a dollar 10 give Z
them an hours instruction
Against the Day schools.
sand that is the result OF the teaching
o. the professors Of the religion of Christ .
in the Protestant Church I repudiate e. F.
] would be ashamed OF myself II ] did not /
And il IL were to be the last accent ] ever /
uttered in public life il would be TO de .
nouncc that narrow minded and unworthy
policy based upon religious bigotry Every f.
dollar that you give 10 these day schools F.
might Just well be thrown into the .
Pc;cmac River under a ton of lead. You
are making no more impression upon the T
than il you should take that money ard F..
burn it. and expect the smoke. by some .
mystic process, TO bring them from idola-
Try and degradation 20 Christianity and
civilization. The old Indians have gone
hopslessly gone so far as civilization and
Christianity are concerned. The Young
Indians can be saved. There are three
thousand Of them today in South Dakota.
where they are voters. and are exercising
fnffiiigeutlV the right OF Eutfra ge
Mr Lodge replied TO Mr.. Vests speech.
He resented the intimation that Senators
who opposed the contract schools were
bigots OF towards. or were under the in
fuence Of the A. r. a. His oHn opp0si-
tion was based upon the principle that
Congress had no right TO vote money out
OF one mans pocket IN order To maintain
smother mans religion.
Mr. Vest enquired whether Mr. Lodge
did not in Massachusetts, favor the taxing
of Roman Catholics TO support the com
mon schools to which they did not send
their children Mr. Lodge replied that
he certainly voted IN the Legislature o.
Massachusetts, and IN town meetings 10
appropriate money for the public schools
but no creed was taught in those schools
and the taxation Was proper.
Mr. Gallinger Of New Hampshire re-
pudiated being Influenced by the American
Protective Association. He admitted the
great services and sacrifices OF the Jesuit
miss i0naries. but said that they were no
greater than that Of The Scotch lay preach
er Br. Duncan. among the Mettacalcau
Indians In Alaska He said that the ln-
dian school question should not have been
revived but should have been allowed 10
rest
Dr. Duncsn's Work.
Nr. Vest concurred In praise of ur.
duncan who he said had Heaned the Met
taealcan Indians from cannibalism and he
told how that sacrificing missionary
had suffered from religious bigotry Dr
Duncan. he said. had taught the Indians
all the dogmas Of Christianity except the
last supper" And he had refrained from
that lest They might say You tell us 30 is
wrong TO cat our capjives and yet son
want US TO cat God. You want us to eat
the body and drink the blood Of the Sa-
viOur."
The matter had been brough. 10 the at-
DENTON OF the Episcopal Bishop OF Van
C0uvcr and Dr. Duncan had been in-
formed that 81 he did not administer the
last supper be could not remain lay
minister. he had appealed tc the Church
in England. aud the decision Of the Bishop
had been affirmed. ThV result WAS that
the rhole colony had migrated 10 the
American possessions In Alaska. where
they had found d place of refuge from
the higotry, fanticism, aud ignorance q
the English Church authorities" That was
? most conspicuous example Mr Vest
said o. how conscientious aud good men,
under the domination of religious prejudice
ana fanaucism can be induced 10 commit
great iniQuities