Evening star., 1901-11-23
4 NEW INDIAN POLICY
Would Throw "PO0r LO" Upon His
Own Resources-AnnuaIR Re-
port Submitted.

In his annual report to the Secretary Of
the Interior. made public today, William A.
Jones, commissioner of Indian affairs. In
PRODUCES a policy which. he contends, will
practically settle the entire Indian Ques-
tion. His plan is to give the Indian oppor-
tunity for self-support; the same protec-
ton OF his person and property as Is given
others; throw him upon his own resources;
an enforced realization of the dignity of
labor and Importance of building and main
tenance of home.
ITO ebgin at the beginning" Commls-
sioner Jones says, cit is freely admitted
that education is essential. But it must be
remembered that there is a vital difference
between white and Indian education. Whan
white youth goes away to school or col
lege his moral character and habits are
already formed and well defined. In his
home, at his mothers knee from his ear
Iiest moments he has imbibed those ele-
ments of civilization which, developing
he grows up, distinguish him from the saw
age. He goes to school not to acquire
moral character, but to prepare himself for
some business or profession by which he
can make his way in after life.
with the Indian youth it Is quite differ
ent. Born a savage and raised in an atmos-
phere of superstition and ignorance, he
lacks at the outset those advantages which
are inherited by his white brother and en-
joyed from the cradle. His moral character
has yet to be formed. If he Is to rise from
his low estate the germs of a nobler ex-
istence must be implanted in him and cul-
tivated. He must be taught to lay aside
his savage customs like a garment and
take upon himself the habits of civilized
life. In word, the primary object of a
white school Is to educate the mind; the
primary essential of Indian education is to
enlighten the soul. Under our system Of
government the latter Is not the function
of the state.
Opportunity for Self-Support.
What, then, is the function of the state?
Briefly this: To see that the Indian has
the opportunity for self-support, and tnat
he Is afforded the same protection CT his
person and property as Is given to others.
That being done, he should be thrown en-
tirely upon his own resources to become a
useful member of the community in which
he lives, or not, according as he exertS him
self or fails to make an effort. He Sh )uld
be located where the conditions are such
that by the exercise Of ordinary industry
and prudence he can support himself and
family. He must be made to realize that
In the sweat of his face he shall eat his
bread. He must be brought to recognize
the dignity of labor and the importance of
building and maintaining home. He must
understand that the more useful he Is there
the more useful he will be to society. Il IS
there he must find the incentive to work
and from 1t must come the uplifting Of his
face"
He says that so long as the Indians are
wards of the general government day
schools are desirable, but until there Is an
Improvement in domestic life it Is futile
to talk of higher education. He speaks Of
the location on arid reservations where
there Is want and suffering, and says that
under these circumstances the ration sys-
tenn with its evils must continue, and then
adds:
But whatever the condition of the In
dian may be, he should be removed from a
state of dependence to one Of independence.
And the only way to do this is to take away
those things that encourage him to lead
an idle life, and, after giving him a fair
start leave him to take care of himself
| To that it must come in the end. and the
sooner steps are taken to bring it about the
better. That there will be many failures
and much suffering is inevitable in the very
| nature of things, for 1t is only by sacrifice
and suffering that the heights Of civilization
| are reached"