The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-06
RAISES AN ISSUE
WITH PRESIDENT
Indian Agent Brosius Ex-
plains His Views.
USE OF FUNDS HIS THEME
Says Catholic Indians Get More Than
Their Share-Fund Should
Be Public.
USE OF FUNDS HIS THEME

to the Secretary of the Interior, on the
Sd instant, in which reference is made
to the contracts entered into between
the Government and certain sectarian
bodies. providing for the use of Indian
trust funds for support of contract
schools among the Indians. and stating
that:
THE practice will De continued by the
department unless Congress should de-
cree to the contrary. or. of course, un~
less the courts should decide that the
decision of the Department of Justice is
erroneous,
raises some pertinent questions and con-
ditions, OF which the public should be
apprised.
1t has already been shown that the
Indians wishes have not been respected
in this use of tribal funds.
At Pine Ridge Agency.
Taking Pine Ridge Agency. South Da-
lxota, as an example: One hundred and
sixty-sive persons within that reserva-
ton of Sioux requested that their funds
be used for support of the Roman Cath
olic schools; so far as reported 641 MEM
bers of the tribe have entered their pro-
test against this use of their money.
stating that they were not Roman Cath
oIics. The request of the 165 persons
was not binding upon the tribe for
many reasons. among which are the
fact that no council was called, so that
the question could be properly presented
and considered by the tribe, but q small
minority of the members (165) signed
the petition, and the instrument itself
was not properly authenticated, thus
rendering this request OF the Indians
without legal force or effect, the above
being regulations of the Indian office.
The great Sioux nation. by the agree
ment of 1889, is guaranteed $50, ODD an
nual interest upon a principal fund OF
81. coo co to lie placed To its credit in the
Treasury of the United States. This
fund was appcrtioneG among the various
bands of Sioux participating in the
agreement OF 1853 the contract being
that one-haIf (s35,o0O of the annual IN
terest shall be available for expenditure
by the Government for educational pur-
poses. The share of the Pine Ridge In
dams. annually due for school purposes
from this interest is approximately
$23 Coo upon the basis of the census
given in the report of the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs for 1893, which is about
the time the funds were divided. The
Pine Ridge band of Sioux has increas ed
somewhat during the past ten years, SO
that the census of 1893 shows a member
ship of 7,1z7 souls. including f65 living
with the Cheytnnes in Montana.
A Question of Pro Rata.
From this we find that the pro rata
share due each member is So from this
fund available for support of schools;
but Il the more liberal allowance of s.. so
per capita IS made, the 200 pupils. now
contracted for at Holy Rosary Roman
Catholic school, would be entitled TO
500; as provided by the contract for
this school for the present fiscal year.
The contract is on the basis of SOS per
each person is entitled out of the trust
fund of the tribe
By like reasoning we find that taking
an average of $3.50 per capita. available
for school support, the 5l5 Sioux chill
dren, stated as enrolled at Pine Ridge
Rosebud. and Crew Creek Roman Cath
Ole schools, would be entitled to but
81 03 under existing contracts whereby
the Government agrees TO pay out of
Indian trust funds due these Indians
the sum Of $55,620, being an excess pay
meut from their trust funds of $50 81,
for the present year.
The pro rata share of $50 is approx
matelv the sum each Sioux Indian would
be entitled to under the Presidents or
der 10 the Secretary. The balance OF
the appropriations for the Sioux seem
not to be guaranteed by treaty, being
appropriated at the VIII of Congress I'M
til such time as the Indians become
self-supDorting, any unexpended bal
ances reverting to the Government, such
balances in the case of trust funds are
required to be expended for the bene-
ut of the tribe, and the re-apprOpria-
ton of the latter class of funds is COM
pusOry.
1t is plain, therefore, that Congress
should define that those appropriate
which are discretionary shall be deemed
public funds of the United States. so
That they will fall within the prohibitory
clause of existing law. II this is not
done the opportunity win remain open
to use this class OF funds for support
Of sectarian schools, and through in
fuences OF the church prolong the time
indefinitely that such appropriations
shall be discontinued on the ground that
the, Indians are self-s.qippq2rting. Such
authority existing N the Executive to-
tally defeats the object of the statute
denying the use of public funds Cor sec
tartan schools.
Cheyennes and Quapaws.
The appropriations for the support of
the Northern Cheyennes, and the Qua
paws are even more directly, if pos
sibIe, public funds. The appropriation
for the Quapaws contains this proviso:
THAT the President of the United
States shall certify the same to be for