Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
INDIAN NTH EsTs
CLOSE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
Appeal to Congress and the President
Payment Of Debts Due
the Tribes

The twenty-third annual meeting of the
National Indian Association, which was
in session In the Church Of the Cow
enant in this city for the past three days,
was brought to a close yesterday af-
ternoon after an address by DR.. Merrill
e. Gates. secretary of the board Of Indian
commissioners, who spoke upon matters
connected with the allotment OF lands to the
Seneca Indians in New York state. The
place of next meeting and the date will be
decided during the coming spring or sum-
mer. -
Following the opening exercises yesterday
morning Mrs. L. w. Quimby of Tacoma,
Wash, read paper on 1.-The Best Work Of
the Field Matron,'' and the report Of the
home building and loans department pre-
pared by Miss Annie Beecher Scovil!e was
read by Mrs. Wister. Most of the time of
the session was taken up with the discus
sion and adoption of resolutions.
The delegates extended resolution Of
thanks to Congress for the progress made
in preparing native Indians for citizenship
and for having already included 10000 of
them in that relation. Governmental sub
stitution of work and wages for free ra-
lions to Indians able to labor was ap-
proved The Secretary of the Interior and
the commissioner of Indian affairs We're
commended for their efforts toward abolish
ing poligamy among the Indians.
Under Civil Service Rules.
Congress and the President were urged to
make appointments of all parties engaged
in the Indian service under civil service
rules and the association especially asked
that "only such men be appointed as are
morally and industrlally fitted to render
faithful service. The abolition of all In
dian agencies as soon as practicable was
heartily recommended.
A resolution was also passed to the effect
that "a most important step toward pre-
pairing for and including all Indians IN
United States citizenship is the payment to
them Individually at no distant date, the
debts due from the government to the
tribes and that all privileges of trade due
to any citizen be granted them as soon as
they become citizens.
The sentiment of the association in re-
gard to the trust patents to Indians was
expressed In the following resolution: I'VE
believe the guaranty of the government
providing for holding Indian allotments In
alienable for twenty-five years, and that
after this period the lands shall be patented
to the allottees, should be strictly fulfilled,
and that no authority should exist by
which the Indians title may be defeated"
In another resolution an appeal was made
to the government asking that irrigat ton
facilities be provided for the Navajo In
dams, and also that the government provide
adequate day schools with industrial de-
partmentS for the benefit of this tE1be.
Allotment Of Lands
The resolution relating to the allotment
of Indian lands in New York state was
warmly discussed. The association recon-
mended that all these lands should be al
lotted in severaty and that all Indians on
them should be brought under the laws Of
the state. An amendment to theresolution
was adopted to the effect "that the Vree-
land bill be passed, with an amendment pro-
viding for suspension of payment Of the
Ogden Land Companys claim of 5000, 600
until the issues now before the courts can
be decided"
The government was asked to make pro-
vision for giving common school education
to all Indians of school age as soon as prac-
ticable and encoura cement was offered to
Christian missionaries to con nnue their
work among the Indians. Resolutions OF
thanks were extended to Mrs. Quinton, the
president Of the association, to" the MEM
bers Of the Washington branch and to the
press of the capital city. Following the
address by DR.. Gates the convention formal
ly adjourned.
Need of Practical Education.
During the progress Of the convention Miss
E. Reel, national superintendent Of Indian
schools. spoke of the need of practical edu-
cation in fitting the younger generation for
the duties Of self-support Miss M. E. Ives,
for the young peoples department, gave
summary of the work accomplished by that
branch. following which the report on tenn
perance appeals by Mrs. Hannah ]. Bailey
of Maine was read, dealing with the demon
alizing effects Of liquor on the Indians
The association adopted a strong resolu-
ton condemning the sale of liquor to the
Indians and pledging itself to do all in its
power to overcome the evil. An address by
Merrill E. Gates on the subject Of Chris
tan Womanhood and Our Pagan Aborigi-
nes'' was also given. 3at
There was large attendance at the re-
ception Thursday evening at the home Of
Indian Commissioner and Mrs. William A.
Jones, 1920 Vermont avenue.
In the line to receive the guests were
Commissioner and Mrs. Jones, A. c. Ton
ner, assistant commissioner; Miss Estelle
Reel, superintendent of Indian schools;
Mrs. Amelia S. Quinton, president Of the
National Indian Association, and the follow
ing vice presidents: Mrs. Walter r. Brooks,
Mrs. Sarah T. Kinney, Mrs. e. John Ellis,
Mrs. John Bidwell, Mrs Alice p Jennings.
recording secretary; Mrs. William H. Laird,
corresponding secetary; Miss Anna Bennett,
treasurer, and Mrs. c. c. Broughton,
auditor.