The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-01-31
Former Commissioner Thinks
Red Men Capable.
URGES THEY Be CITIZENS.
Expert Declares Government Should
Lift It's Hands of Affairs Of Aborig-
ines and Place Them on Equal Foot
ing With White Men-Would Give
Them Local Government.

Full citizenship for American Indians
within the confines of United States
territory Is proposed by former Com
missioner of Indian Affairs Robert G..
Valentine in a report to Secretary of
the Interior Fisher, just made public.
He voices the hope that the day may
be near when the United States will
finally have lifted its hands from In
dian affairs and all Indians In all re-
spects 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-
yiction is that no possible obstacle
should be placed in the way Of the
transformation of Indian affairs ad-
ministered by the United States into
the affairs of normal citizens under the
ordinary jurisdiction of the states.
81 do not suggest further authority
for charging 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 appears
to be education of the Indians, whether
or not they are citizens, to comply
with the laws Of their states"
Progress during the year in teaching
the Indian to be sober and Industrious,
in educating him to be a better farmer
and mechanic, and in imparting health
principles, both as they apply indiyid-
ually and in the home, was reported.
Vocational Guidance Attempted.
Every Indian, like every white
man." declared the commissioner, 'is
best fitted for some one thing. We are
trying to find that thing. One Of our
newest activities is to make every eff
fort, both in the schools and among
the adults on the reservations, In the
direction of vocational guidance
The Indian service in all it's parts
showed increased activity during the
year, the report stated, not I'm exten-
sion of jurisdiction, but in graphing
more deeply and more intimately with
the problems it has to solve" The
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 among the In
dams is GO per cent greater than that
among other classes of people in the
registration area of the United States,
while the mortality from tuberculosis
is three and a half times as great.
The war against the sale of liquor to
Indians was "waged with continuous
vigor and successful results" the re-
port added, "and the fight against gam
bling is beginning to bear fruit"
The home condition of the Indians is
one of the most unsatisfactory features
of the Indian problem, said the com-
missioner, for which reason special at
tention is being given to the instruc-
ton of Indian girls.
The greatest investment the Indian
service has, continues the report, Is In
the so called return students who have
been away at the larger schools and
have returned to live Mt or near their
home reservation. There are about
$4,000 of these Indians, who represent
an economic investment, it is estimat-
ed, of about S50,0o0.O00.
The property interests of the Indians
constitute one of the greatest estates
ever held in trust by any organization.
governmental or private, the report
states. Including the lands, forests.
water powers, minerals and funds held
in tribal or individual ownership the
in tribal or individual ownership, the
the Indians amounts to $750,000.000.
and the interest and annual rentals
produce a total of $12,o00,000.
Indian art and the industries which
produce it should be carefully preserv-
ed in the opinion of the commissioner.
The making of Navajo blankets, of the
high grades of beadwork and basketry
and of pottery should be fostered and
preserved.
Field Matrons' Work Arduous.
No work is nobler or more necessary
or more trying in the Indian service
than that of the field matrons and
women industrial teachers. according to
the commissioner The help given by
these women varies from instruction
In sanitation to the supervision of ex-
penditures and the settlement of do
nestle difficulties. and they save the
lives of many children.
Educational opportunities must be
taken to thousands of Indian children
not yet in school; Industrial impulse
and opportunity must be given to In
dams who do not now value their pos
sessions; a chance has to be extended
to thousands of Indian families for liv-
ing in sanitary homes, says the report.
"Only In this way ii is declared,
"can the day OF the Indians emancipa-
ton from national guardianship be
sped and The obligation that Is upon
us of affording the Indians the same
opportunities, rights and privileges az
other Americans be discha rpod