New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-11
QUITS OFFICE FOR 7. R.
R. G. Valentine Resigns as Com
missioner of Indian Affairs.
GIVES ADVICE TO TAFT
Suggests the Sort of Person
Whom the President Should
Appoint as His Successor.

Washington, Sept. 1O.-Robert G.. Valen-
| tine, Commissioner Of Indian Affairs. sent
his resignation TO the Interior Department
to-day to become effective at the discre-
| ton OF Secretary Fisher. now in Hawaii.
Mr. Valentine will join the Progressive
party Commissioner Valentine was for
merry assistant 10 Commissioner Leupp.
whom he succeeded.
In a public statement explaining his
resignation Mr.. Valentine referred to his
desire to work in the Progressive party
as his only wish for quitting office. He
made no mention OF the so-called Indian
garb order, which he promulgated Few
months ago and which raised storm OF
protest from officers OF the Roman Cath
Ole Church. 1t forbade the wearing OF
religious garb by teachers in Indian
schools.
IL was said its effect would have been
TO bar sisters Of the Catholic orders from
schools on the reservations. but President
Taft summary suspended the order
new one is about to be promulgated. Its
| terms are not fully known. but 1t is be-
lieved 1t Will satisfy those on both sides
OF the controversy.
In part the Commissioner statement
to-day was as follows:
Since the formation of the Progressive
party IL has been known that l was
heart and soul for Its cause. and that
take part in its work while at the head
OF the Indian Offica II was known that
was anxious to leave office, and, IN iact,
should nave done so. but for the oollga,,
thn
Indian Service IL | could properly stay
until satisfactory successor could De
found. and his appointment assured;
With Secretary Fisher and First As
sistant Secretary Adams in charge OF the
Interior Department, that part OF indian
affairs which passes through the Depart
ment is safe
In the Indian Service, above most other
bureaus, the opportunities for graft ana
political patronage are such that the poll
tican and the privilege seeker Will be uh-
ceaslngly active, and vigilance against
them must be equally active. IN tne
wrong hands most OF the WORK OF the
last decade can be undone In Few
months. - -. -
Inasmuch as the President knows the
needs OF the Indian Service and the FORCES
Of evil that are TO be guarded aealnsl
need not refuse the can OF duly tta q
the Progressive party programme MAKES
on me. through fear that the Indians VIII
be left unprotected. On the contrary,
believe when confronted with the neces-
atty, the President will appoint some one
having the standards OF Miss Lathrop,
at the head of the Children's Bureau, OF
Mr.. Conant, at the head OF the bureau
OF Corporations.
Beverly. Sept l0.-The resignation OF
Robert G. Valentine as Commissioner OF
the Bureau Of Indian Affairs, had been
expected at the White House for weeks
before President Taft left for Beverly.
The President and Mr.. Valentine dr.
fered several months ago. Mr. Taft held
up an order issued By the Commissioner
forbidding the wearing Of religious garb
by teachers in Indian schools. 1t was
after this that the letters suggesting "A
vacancy in the Indian Bureau began to
reach the White House.
Mr.. Valentines resignation, il was said