The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-06
OF INDIANS
RECOMMENDED
OF DEPARTMENTAL b.
REAU SAYS THEY SHOULD BE
MADE INDEPENDENT.

Washington, Jan. 5.-That the
American Indian should be released as
soon rs possible from the paternal
care of the United States government,
now his guardian in virtually every
thing he does, was the opinion ex-
pressed in the annual report from the
bureau of indian affairs submitted to
Secretary Of the Interior Fisher by
Robert G. Valentine, until recently
commissioner and made public today,
The the commissioner voiced the
hope that the day might be near
when the United States will finally
nave lifted it's hands from indian af-
fairs and all Indians in all aspects
Will stand on an equal footing with
all their fellow Americans"
With all the expedition compatible
with the Indians welfare" he added,
they should be made subject to the
laws OF their states and be taught to
look to their local government instead
of the national government. MY con-
viction is hat no possible obstacle
should be placed in the way of the
transformation of Indian affairs adj
ministered by the United States into
the affairs of normal citizens under
the ordinary jurisdiction of the states
Il do not suggest further authority
Tor enlarged federal jurisdiction over
minor offenseS on reservations. I'M
portant questions of marriage and di,
vorce illustrate difficult points, OF
which the only proper solution APP
pears to be education of Indians
whether or not they are citizens, tc
comply with the laws of their states
Progress during the year in teach
ing the Indian to- be sober and indus
trious, in educating him to be a better
farmer and mechanic, and in impart-
ing health principles, both as they
apply individually and in the home
was reported.
Vocational Guidance.
Every Indian, like every white
man, declared the commissioner, is
best fitted for some one thing. One
Of our newest activities is to make
every effort, both in the schools and
among the adults on the reservations
IN the direction of vocational guild
ance."
The ndian service in all it's parts
showed increased activity during the
year, the report stated, not in eX-
tension of jurisdiction, but in grap-
ping more deeply and more intimate-
~ with the problems it has to solve.
Inc campaign for good health and
physical efficiency among the Indians
continued with increased momentum,
the need for this work being shown
by the fact that the death rate amone
the ndian is so per cent greater
IMAM that among other classes of peo>
pie IN h registration area of the
united States, while the mortality
from tuberculosis is three and one-half
times as great.
Inc war against the sale of liuuor
TO Indians was ''Waged with con-
tlnuous Vfgor and successful results"
the report added, and the fight
against gambling is beginning to bear
lfult.' Mr.. Valentine pointed to the
fact that two convictions were Sc.
cured for the sale of liquor to Indians
III washington under the dome of oul
capltoi, showing, he said, hat the
lhdlan though hundreds of miles dis
taht from his home, has not lost his
lust FOR fireWater, and hat the laws
as now IN force are applicable any
where
Home Conditions.
Inc home condition of the Indians
is me of the most unsatisfactory fea.
lures of the Indian problem, said the
commissioner, for which reason special
attention is being given to the instruc-
tloh of indian girls. The character
ana efficiency, of the training given to
them u be improved, he said, be,
cause 1t is realized that fer the girls
more than for the boys the instruc-
,lon should be of an intensive form.
Girls a be kept in school only for
a few years after they have developed
INTO Womanhood, it was stated.
The greatest investment the Indian
service has, continues the report is in
the so-called %returned students who
nave been away at the larger schools
ana nave returned to live at or near
1heir nome reservation. There are
o $4,000 of these Indians, who
represent an economic investment, it
Is estimated, of about $50, 900, 600.
1hese students frequently are con-
sidered merely trouble-makers by the
superintendent of the reservations.
declares the commissioner. The SUI
p~erlntendents forget entirely, he adds,
that this class Of Indians protest
against the order of things as they
lind it when they return to their res.
erVatlons because they have seer bet.
ter things. but have not auite fo,,no
their own way to them. And I am