The Washington herald., 1913-03-16
Indians PROTEST
AGAINST MERRITT.
Chiefs Meet and Flay In Reso-
luton Indian Rights
Association.
SLOAN THEIR FAVORITE
Copy of Memorial to Be Sent to the
President to Reach Him
Tomorrow.

The executive board of the Indian
Rights Association was treated yester-
day afternoon to an unmerciful flaying
at the hands of the Indian chiefs Of the
different tribes now in Washington, who
following a council held in their head
quarters in the National Hotel, adopted
resolutions asking President Wilson to
pay no heed to any representations that
may be made by the association in re-
gard to the appointment of z. B. Mer-
ritt as Commissioner Of Indian Affairs.
The resolutions are couched in the
plainest of words. 1t is said that the as
ISOLATION has been neither authorized nor
requested to speak for the Indians Of
the United States, and further that 1t is
well known that the position of the
Commissioner has been dictated and
dominated by the association during the
tenure of the last two Commissioners.
resulting disastrously to the best inter-
ests of the Indian peoples
The Indians themselves have decided
on Thomas l. Sloan, of Nebraska,
member of the tribe of Omahas, as the
man they wish to guard their interests,
and have made determined fight
against the appointment of Mr.. Merritt.
Mr.. Sloan is a lawyer and an Indian
himself. a fact that the Indians feel
would assure them of the justice they
think has been denied them by the
commissioners who have gone before.
The set of resolutions adopted yes
terday will reach the President to-mor-
row morning probably, and the assem-
bled chiefs hope they may hear soon
that their plea has found favor with
The Great Chief" The resolution
reads.
To the President of the United States:
Whereas it has been brought to our
attention as delegates of the various
Of Irdi
in the city of Washington at the pres
ent time that the executive board OF
the Indian Rights Association has pre-
Sented to the President of the United
States the name of E. b. Merritt for
the appointment of Commissioner of
Indian Affairs: and
Whereas the Indian people of the
United States have unanimously chosen
and are urging a different candidate for
the appointment of Indian Commission
er: and
Whereas the action of the said execu-
tive board is contrary to the will and
wisl of this convention and the Indian
people of the United States, it being
well known to us that the position of
Commissioner of Indian Affairs has been
dictated and dominated by the said
association during the tenure of the last
two Commissioners. resulting disastrous
-IN to the best interests of the Indian
people of the country; and
Whereas said Indian Rights Associa-
ton has neither been authorized nor
requested to speak for the Indian people
OF the United States: and
''Whereas that far as the Indians
are aware. they have not had sufficient
practical and effective benefits in the
past from this association to justify
the unwarranted assumption of this body
to select the third Commissioner of In
dian Affairs: and
''Whereas the personnel of the repre-
sentatiVes of the Indian Rights Asso-
citation. delegated by it to stay in Wash
ington to look after the supposed inter-
eSts of the Indian people in Legislative
matters. has not been of such character
and personality as to render their eff
forts effective;
We. therefore. request the President
TO give no heed to any representations
that have been made by said association
in relation to the appointment of Com
missioner of Indian Affairs"