The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-01-06
WOULD ABOLISH NATIONAL
GUARDIANSHIP OF INDIANS

ouNnu'RNSnIV UT lNUlANS
Washington. Jan. G.-That the
american Indian should be released az
soon as possible from the patcrual
care of the United States government
now his guardian in virtually every
'hlns he docs, was the opinion OK.
pressed In the annual report from tha
fureau OF Indian Affairs submitted to
secretary Of the Interior Fisher bv
| Robert G. Valentine, mtil recently
commissioner, ana made public today.
The then commissioner voiced the
hope that the day might be near
when The United States win finally
lave lifted its hands from Indian al-
tairs, and all Indians in all respects
VIII stand on an equal footing with
AN their fellow Americans"
With all the expedition compatible
WIN Tho Indians welfare" he added
! they should he made subject To the
laws of their states and be taught
10 look 10 their local government in.
stead OF the national government. M
conviction Is that no possible obstacle
should be placed in the way OF the
transformation Of Indian affairs ad-
ministcred bv the United States into
the affairs of normal citizens under
the ordinary Jurisdiction of the states
Il do not suggest further authority
for enlarged federal jurisdiction over
minor oiGonses on reservations. Inn
Eortant questions of marriage and
divorce illustrate difficult points OF
which the only proper solution ap-
rcars to be education of Indians
whether or not they are citizens, to
comply with the laws of their states"
Progress in Education.
Progress during the year in teach
lug the Indian to be sober and industr
ious. in educating him to be "A better
farmer and mechanic, and ia imparl
ing health principles, both as they
apply individually and in the home,
vas reported
Every Indian. like every white
man," declared the commissioner. 81
best fitted for some one thing. ",
are trying to find that thing. one o,
our newest activities is to make ever.
effort both in the schools and amoul
the adults on the reservations, In thu
direction of vocational guidance"
The Indian service in all its part
showed increased activity during tn"
year, the report stated. not in cXten
more deeply and more intimately with
the problems it has to solve. Til,
campaign for good health and phys.
iCally efficiency among the Indian
continued with increased momentum
the need for this work being shown by
the fact that the death rate among
the Indians is 80 per cent greater than
that among other classes of people il
the registration area OF the Unite
states. while the mortality from tuber
culosis is three and half times Il
great.
Eduoated Indians Great Help.
The greatest investment the lpdan
service has. confines the report is 10
the so-callcd returned students wi,
have been away at the larger schools
,nd have returned TO live at or nea'
their home reservation. There are
about $1,000 of these Indians, vlo
an economic investment. il
ii estimated, OF about $4,000, 900.
These students frequently are con
sidcred merely trouble makers by the
of reservations, de.
Clares the commissioner. The super
forget entirely. he adds
That this class OF Indians protest
against the order Of things as the5
iind il when they return to their res
ervations because they have seer
better things, but have not quite found
their own way to them. And ] am
sorry TO say he continues, that fire.
Juently the greatest obstacle to their |
finding their way lies in the govern.
ment machinery and personnel itself |
Every Indian school in the country |
should consider it a vital part of IL
daily work To keep track of the stud |
cnts who have attended it, These re-
turned students are the hope of I'll,
indian problem. We would hardlj |
think of spending similar amount
IN training "a race horse and then turn |
him loose under unfavorablc range |
To shift for himself
Valuable Property Interests.
The property interests Of the Indian |
one of the greatest es- |
tstes ever held in trust by any organ
aation, governmental or private, the |
report states. Including the lands
forests. water power. minerals and
funds held in tribal or individual own
4, I'M Tho nr.inninal hold liz the pnN- L