Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1901-10-25
OFFICIAL coNGRATuLAT1oN.
Commissioner Jones Writes Judge Clifford
l" Complimentary Letter.

Commissioner Jones Writes Judge Clifford
s" Complimentary Letter.
Among the many letters received by
Judge Clifford extending congratula-
tions over his appointment as Superin-
tendent of the Canton Indian Asylum,
none are more sincerely appreciated
than the appended letter Of Hon. W.
A. Jones, Commissioner of Indian af-
fairs:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTER OR,
| OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
~ Washington, Oct 16. 1901.
Hon. O. S. CLIFFORD,
Canton, South Dakota,
MY DEAR JUDGE:-I am
in receipt at this moment of your COM
mission signed by the Secretary of the
Interior as Superintendent of the In
sane Asylum at Canton, at a salary of
So, 500 per annum.
want to congratulate you and the
Office on the successful issue of this
case. I know of no one that would
sooner see in charge of the asylum
than yourself, knowing that you are
personally interested in the institution,
and also in the county in which it is
located.
You will receive official notice of
your appointment in day or two, but
I could not resist the temptation of
writing you personally in regard 10 it.
With kind regards am yours truly.
W. A. JONES,
Commissioner.
Judge Gifford's appointment to this
important and unique position came
through the urgent solicitation of his
Canton friends. To Postmaster Lewis
and Col Seely is largely due The honor
of bringing the Judge into prominence
as candidate. All recognized that
the Asylum needed a man in charge
who was personally interested in the
success Of the institution as we'll as one
who was endowed by nature with COM
passion for all unfortunates. and es.
pecially. those who were to be cared
for, was one of the chief reasons why
Judge Gifford's friends urged him to
consent to be candidate. As soon as
Judge Clifford consented his friends
placed the matter before Senator Kit !
tredge who was delighted to take up
the matter, and with bis congressional
colleagues the proper endorsement was
forwarded to Washington and the ap.
pointment was properly made.
Few have realized the necessity and
Importance Of an Indian Asylum, and
it remained for Senator Pettigrew to
bring the matter to a successful con-
clusion in congress.
There are Indian tribes scattered all
over the United States, and no where
has there been any provision made for
the proper care of the unfortunate in
sane Of the original inhabitants of this
country.
Senator Pettigrew, as member Of
the committee on Indians affairs. had
learned of the unfortunate condition of
these wards of the government and
could see no other solution of the vex.
ed question than to provide for their
care and treatment in a separate and
distinct institution. He introduced
bill for he construction Of an asylum
and located the same at Canton. 1t is
completed and Judge Clifford will carry
out the humane purpose of the general
government. There are great many
insane Indians scattered over the vari-
Gus states, and it has been difficult
matter to secure confinement for them.
There used to be sixteen in the pen at
Bismarck, and there are number con-
fined at Washington, and there are
others confined at agencies and in vari-
GUS institutions, in all, so far as Inspec-
tor Mclaughlin knew, about eighty of
record, but it is not unreasonable to
suppose that there is at least one hun.
dred and fifty, who will find their way
to the Canton asylum as soon as it is
ready to receive them.
Judge Clifford will have much to do
before he can notify the government
that the institution is ready. The
building has to be furnished and every
other facility provided for the care and
treatment of these people. He will
have his hands full Of business for
several months to come.