New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-24
INDIAN CITIZENSHIP.
Conference FdUOrs Education and the
1bOLtiOn of Reservations.

Lake Mohonk, n. Y. Oct. 23.-The leading address
Of the morning session at the Mohonk Indian con-
ference made by f. b. Henderson of the
Indian Bureau. on how to secure from lands al
otted to the Indians in severalty revenue by tax
alton for the maintenance Of the schools high
ways, etc The white population Of the Indian Ter
ritOry, the speaker said, was at a lower moral and
intellectual status and more in need schools and
other Institutions Of civilization than the Indians
and these can only be maintained under some sys-
tenn of land taxation He did not believe that
Indian citizens generally should be exempted from
taxation. the aged Indians. who might easily be-
come victims Of inscriptions whites. being ex-
cepted.
The present population of the Indian Territory
was said to be about 100000 whites and $1,000 Ind
ians. and the children OF whites have fewer adj
vantages than the Indian youth and are growing
up in gross ignorance and vice
Miss Alice Robertson. Of Muskogee. referred to
the deplorable condition of the insane and other
dependents in the Territory. for whom provision
could be made under Territorial laws
resolution adopted asking that Congress
make some provision soon as possible for ex-
tending school privileges to the whites of the Ter
ritOry.
Dr. Lyman Abbott. on behalf of the conference
business committee, offered the following platform.
which was adopted:
ne lndlan problem IS approaching its solution
ess us confronting the larger problem of our
come subject to our government and dependent on
c3inp,lshed are no longer questioned They are the
abandonment or the reservation system, discon-
lHuaHce OF Indian agencies, such education OF ali
indian children as will fit them for seIf-support
anu seil-government access to the courts for the
protection OF their rights. amenability TO the law
IN punishment for their crimes the same liberty
pay taxes and enjoy in good government the
t penefts enJoyed by other taxed citizens and by
IntSe means speedy incorporation OF all Indians
with all the rights of citizenship into the American
The best methods to secure these results are not
nhohy Gear out the experience OF the past points
De discontinued in all cases where the land is ready
Tor settlement and the Indians when necessary
bonded superintendent. with limited powers and
.hs policy OF the Indian Bureau in this direction is
Whenever practicable the education ot Indian
Children should be provided for I'm the schools in the
states Territories. If necessary for untax~d
IRdans at federal expense or out Of Indian funds
w S thls is not Practicable provision should
ne made by the federal government in Indian
The Indians should be encouraged I'm Industrial
arts DOM IN the preservation OF their own and in
be- their industrial and moral development
c.. ne ne woTk Of the government whether national
ton does not lessen the responsibility OF the
We regard Win regons education OF the Indian
action OF the Secretary of the Interior opening the
way for the religious work OF the churches in con-
nection with government schools and urge the
churches to cooperate with each other and with
the government in this work -0' anu Win
The same me, principle should govern us In all our
rights should be scrupulously safeguaraei eIr evil
provision should be made by Congress for ibei
should be encouraged and their eiuca tion sns
be so provided Tor that whatever NAV he tba,- a.
political relations to the United States tb.v ra
support and self-government. S ior seii-
DR.. Abbott said the whole solution =, -,
problem had been expressed to him ~, t tlioIa
Pratt in one sentence: ITO civlze the Ina,.U e.
him into civilization: to keep him ciyiu,a5 nan get
stay He hoped that Congress Womb 'ai. Jet him
very early for the abolition the whole action
Indian agencies and the Indian Bureau s,ehtn OF
now organized. He advocated the extena,nn.set az
common school system 20 all the Territori.ooi ths
OUTLYING dependencies. ana