Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-24
THE WHITE MANS DUTY
HOW THE RED MAY BE TAUGHT
TO BE sELF-sUPPoRTING.
Commissioner Jones Of the Indian o.
fee Recommends Practical Educa-
tion-opposes dratuities.

''There is probably no department OF the
government to which free counsel ABUSE
and criticism are SO lavishly given as 10
that which is charged with the manage
ment of Indian affairs says Commissioner
Jones of the Indian Office in his annual re-
port. 1.-THE advice of those who are SIN
cerely interested in the welfare of these
people, who have no ak to grind and who
have had opportunity to study the difficult
ties of the situation from practical stand
point is always of value and carefully con-
sidered All wisdom relative to the man
agement of the red man is not by any
means assumed by the Indian office.
Practical Education.
Practical education is what he most re-
quires-the knowledge of how to make a
living even under adverse circumstances
The first step Is the requirement OF the
English language Without it he is power
less to transact intelligently the ordinary
affairs of life, to dispose of the produce
of his farm or the increase of his herds.
Indian schools therefore limited in
textbook instruction to the ordinary COM
mon school branches. Higher mathematics.
geometry and astronomy have no place In
the curriculum of schools supported by the
government for Indian children.
Indian education is hampered on the one
side by the misguided. sentimental friend
ship of those who place the Indian upon too
lofty a pinnacle. who contend that the
white mans treatment of him. in the pres
emit and in the past is cruel and inhuman.
and, on the other side, by those who, in
their greed for his lands and money. act
upon the old theory, No good Indian but
dead one
Gratuities Opposed.
by the issuing of rations and the pay
of
funds. the incentive to work has been re-
moved. the government freely giving to the
red man that for which the white the black
and the yellow must toll early and late.
These latter do no work unless compelled
by necessity to do so: neither will the In
dian. Rations were necessity in the past,
but that day has gone, except for the old,
nfirm and physically incapactated The
absurdity of the government spending hum
dreds of dollars to educate an Indian TO
work. then. after teaching the necessity.
sending him home to his reservation to be
supported in idleness. is all TOO manifest.
1t were far better not to educate at all if
education is to be nulliied by unwise gra-
tuitieS.
Meeting of White Ribboners.
The Margaret B. Plat "Y'' held it's reg
ular monthly meeting at the home of Mrs.
Chas. E. Sayles, 919 10th street northeast,
last evening, with Mrs. B. L. Nevins, presI-
The routine business included the, reading
of the minutes of the previous meeting and
hearing the reports of the superintendent
OF Sunday observance and other depart
ments of work
discussion was had relative to making
and filling bags with useful household and
camp articles, accompanied by letter and
Testament to be sent to departing COM
panies of soldiers for the Philippines ard
other points of military operation. This
form of practical help met with instant ap-
probation among the "Y' members
motion was made and carried providing
for holding a New Year reception.
The feature of $he evening was an address
by Mrs. Blaine, the District secretary.
Her talk was for the most part confined to
outlining new work for the coming year and
plea for the revival of interest and a re-
rewed enthusiasm. Mrs. Blaine was ten
dered a rising vote OF thanks and apprecia-
ton at the close of her address. A public
meeting is in contemplation as a result of
the discussion last evening. which promises
to be repetition of past successes.
A pathetic reading by Miss Emma e. Harr
brought the evening program to a close.
The article. a clipping from the Epworth
Herald, entitled THE Rum Mills Grist"
purported to demonstrate the ultimate and
calamitous results of strong drink.
A social hour followed the adjournment of
the business meeting, during which vocal
and instrumental music was rendered.
Those present were Mrs. Blaine Mrs B.
L. Nevins jr.. Mrs. Charles E. Sayles Mrs
Sol Carr, jr., Misses Harr. Naramore, New
ms, Cook, Moxley. Roderick. Haines Ba-
con, Thompson and Carter. The honorary
members present were Messrs. Wood and
Seaton.