The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
EDUCATION OF INDIANS
Olsen sSi0n in the Senate Cn the
Question of Schools.
Mr.. Vest EuioGizcs the Horl. Done
nonnces the Influences Which
Operated Against Them Sena-
tors Lodge aGd GnIlinEer Reply.

The Indian Appropriation bill was taken
up in the Senate yesterday and its consid-
grafton was proceeded with
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas offered an amend
ment 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 al places where school facilities have
not been provided by the Government.
Mr Thurston. in charge of the bill.
opposed the amendment on the ground that
the true policy of the Government in rela-
tion 10 Indian pupils was to carry on its
own schools without any regard whatever
20 the religious question. He thought it
unwisc TO have the question reopened and
discussed before the country It 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
ernmenJ had been providing new school
facilities; and the Secretary of the
Interior and the Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs advised Congress that they could
take care of all Indian pupils
MI est aShHu NAtbhSA
the Government schools referred 10 were
day schools or boarding schools.
Mr.. Thurston replied that they were day
schools For his own part. he said, he
would like to have all pupils tincluding
lndians) educated in religious faith, al
though he had no choice as to any particu-
lar denomination.
Point of order Raised.
Mr.. Kyle made the point of order against
The amendment that it was new legislation,
but the point was overruled by the Presi-
den; 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-
tenn Of mixing church and state?" Mr.
Kyle asked.
Il do not think there ever was such a
system" Mr. Jones replied Il believe
that the contract schools did a grand and
noble work while they were at it
In the course of a long discussion
striking speech was made by Mr.. Vest, in
eulogy of the work of the Jesuits among
the Indians He prefaeed his remarks by
saving that he had no sympathy with
Roman Catholic doctrines, and had never
been in a Catholic Church. But the
Jesuits, wherever they were allowed 10 do
So without bigotry and fanaticism, and
the cowardiee of insectiyorous politicians,
who we're afraid of the \. p. A, had ele-
waited the Indian and made him Chris
tian. and. above that, made a workman
able to support himself and those de-
pendent upon him. Continuing. Mr.. Vest
Baid:
Go through the BIackfeet reservation
In Montana and look from the cars of the
n iii
sec how the work of the Jesuits was car-
ricd on until the A. P. A. and the towards
who were afraid OF It, struck il down and
now there are 4G0 children on that reseT-
walton without there being a dollar to give
them an hours instruction.
Against the Day schools.
sand that is the result of the teaching
ef the professors of the religion of Christ
in the Protestant Church / repudate it.
i would be ashamed of myself if / did not.
And il it were 10 be the last accent / ever
uttered in public life. il would be to de-
nounce that narrow minded and unworthy
policy based upon religious bigotry. Every
dcilar that you give to these day schools
might Just as well be thrown into the
Pc:cmac River under ton of lead. YGiI
are making no more impression upon the
Indian children with your day schools
than il you should take that money and
burn it, and expect the smoke, by some
mystic process, TO bring them from idola-
try and degradation to Christianity and
civilization. The old Indians have gone
hopelessly 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
antelligently the right OF suffrage
Mr.. Lodge replied to Mr.. Vests speech
He resented the intimation that Senator;
who opposed the contract schools wer'
bigots OF towards. or We're under the in
fuence of the a. p. 4. His own opposi
tion was based upon the principle tina
Congress had no right to vote money ou
OF one mans pocket in order TO maintain
another 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 senC
their children. Ar. Lodge replied tha
he certainly voted in the Legislature o
Massachusetts and in town meetings t'
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 th'
great services and sacrifices OF the Jesui
missionaries but said that they were M
greater than that OF the Scotch lay preach
er. Br. Duncan. among the Mettacalcai
Indians in Alaska. He said that the In
dian school question should not have heei
revived. but should have been allowed II
rest.
DIR. Duncan's Work.
Mr.. Vest ooncurred In praise Of Dr
duncan who he said had weaned the Met
taeaican Indians from cannibalism. and h
told how that self sacriGcing missionar
had suffered from religious bigotry. Di
Duncan he said had taught the Indian
all the dogmas OF Christianity except tn
last supper" And he had refrained fror
that lest they might say You tell US II !
wrong to cat our captives and yet 80
want US TO eat God. You want US 10 ca
tb. BODY ana drink the blood Of the Sa
yiour'
The matter had been brough, to the al
tention of the Episcopal Bishop OF Van
couver and Dr. Duncan had been IL
formed that II he did not administer n
last supper he could not remain a Ia
minister He had appealed tc the Churc
in England. and the decision Of the Bisho
had been affirmed. The result was thi
the whole colony had migrated 10 IN
American possessions in Alaska, wheI
they had found place of refuge frcl
the bigotry. fanticism, and ignorance
the English Church authorities That va
= nest conspicuous example, Mr.. We
said. OF how conscientious aud coed mel
under the domination Of religious prelude
and fanaticism can be induced 10 comm
great iniquities.
Mr. Jones OF Arkansas said that NJ