The Washington times., 1904-02-07

Matters OF Indian education are per
haps little thought of outside OF those
directly in charge OF some branch OF
that work. yet there is here in Wash
ington, asking no favors of the Govern
ment, seeking nothing but absolute
equality as to Government treatment
an Indian bureau whose yearly eXpendi-
lures are nearly $4,000.
This is, the bureau Of Catholic Indian
missions. At it's head are such men as
Cardinal Gibbons. the Archbishops OF
Philadelphia and New York. and Rev
William II. Ketcham. a young priest
whose work has been among the people
ohom he seeks 10 educate.
In his Office at the corner OF Tenth
and F Street yesterday ne talked
with The Times and told what
the Catholic Church had done toward
making a civilized man out OF the once
ferocious savage. While talking his
adopted son, a Choctaw. came in and
entered into conversation with the
Right Rev. Father Dyer. OF Baltimore.
treasurer OF the association. The young
Indians speech showed that he had
overcome even the suggestion ohdialect.
il was easy TO believe Father Ketcham
when he said the boy often led his class
at Georgetown. gr ltfs
Work of Church Since Columbus Time
Speaking OF the work that the Catho-
lie Church has done among the redmen
Father Ketcham traced il from the time
of Columbus. with whom were Catho-
lie missionaries. when he discovered
the continent. lie referred to the work
OF the Franciscan Fathers among the
tribes in the State OF New York the
Jesuits among the savages living about
the Great Lakes, and of Pere Marquette
whose labOrs along the Mississippi
tended toward so much good
both for the white man and
the Indian whom he sought to DIS
place He then told Of the work
IA California. New Mexico, and Arizona
and referred TO the Revolutionary war.
in which the CherOkees and Creeks were
allied with the English and the Chloe
taws~w with the revolutionists. 1.-THE In
dams were a powerful people then" he
said. and few persons can know Of
the wars that the Catholic mission
aries among them prevented
Dividing the Mission Work
Coming to the time when General
Grant was President, Father Ketcham
said:
THE Government then decided that
the missionary work among the Indians
should be divided among those religious
denominations that cared to enter 1t.
The Catholics. however. were not given
their share. and instead Of getting
thlrty-eight tribes they were given only
eight. At that time this bureau was
established. under the idea Of IL being
furnished by j. Roosevelt Bailey. OF
Baltimore. distant relative Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt il was encouraged by
Father Deshon, who died recently He
was a classmate with Geperal Grant
al West Point. and II was through his
efforts and knowledge that General
Grant was able 10 do 80 much. Charles
Ewing was at that time made commits
siOner TO the Indian missions by the
Church. while the bureau was left in
charge OF the Very Rev. Father Brouil-
let. who soon after died. He was sue
coded by Father stephan who after
ward became monsiSnor, and was later
made "A prelate IN the household Of the
Pontiff at Rome.
Government Allows Free Hand.
Father stephan became most active
in the work. but the original plan Of
General Grant was not carried out. and
the Government then began TO allow
all denominations TO have a free hand.
Father stephan at once succeeded In
securing money TO build a large number
OF Catholic schools a large part Of
which was given by the Philadelphia
DreXels The Government also fur
nished the contracts for the supplies
and Father Stephan's work prospered
beyond expectation. So great WAS this
success that an anti-Catholic sentiment
was engendered throughout the country.
and though the Governnent officials
were pleased beyond measure at the
system followed by the sisters and
brothers. there came the time Of the
great a. =. A movement few years
ago. when Congress found itself COM
PEELED TO adopt the policy Of no Gov
eminent aid whatever for the education
Df Indian children in sectarian schools.
This policy was put in effect gradually,