The Washington times., 1913-04-20
;R|fnDsOF INDIANS
! CR|T|C|SE BUREAU
tights Association Declares
Pernicious Influence Is Still
Being Exercised.

'rhe whole Indian Bureau is still
.ursed by pernicious political infiu-
.nce. according to the thirtieth an
iual report of the Indian Rights AS
Iociation. This report has just ap-
)eared-
Among the striking statements in
he report are:
Theoretically, the civil service rules
low cover all positions in the depart
rent. with the exception of the COM
missioner, his assistants, and few
confidential places; but in reality,
many of those under the commission
sr DO not seem able to get away from
The old idea that their loyalty goes
irst to some influential hacker out
side Of the service. and then to their
Immediate superior officer.
commissioners come and go. but
The bureaucrat wants to remain for
ever. 1t is therefore not strange that
Commissioner Valentine publicly
stated that the service is weak in
he head, weak-eyed and hard of hear
ing
Bureau Chief Handicapped.
Many inspectors do not inspect,
especially if the one they are sent to
Investigate has any pull or, when
they do inspect and unearth unsavory
conditions, it is possible for some Of
the bureaucrats to hold things back,
or SO misrepresent the situation that
nothing is accomplished-unless some
one. not connected with the bureau,
knows enough about the particular
case vigorously to oppose such infiu-
ences and show the commissioner the
rlaIn. ugly truth.
Not only is the Commissioner handi-
capped from below. but all his recon-
mendations in matters of consequence
must be submitted to the Secretary OF
the Interior for formal approval before
they are effective.
AS things have been conducted, when
many such Recommendations reach the
Secre/ry's office they are referred to
some subordinate. who IT would see,u
proceeds to find out whether the Com
missioner dotted all his IS and crossed
every t. and in this way progress. or
action is brought to standstill. The
remedy for these existing evils is the
that 1t cannot be resisted. demanding 4
new and higher order of things"
Methods Are Criticized.
SonoilonS OF the Schools or the IN
dians is described as follows:
"A certain tribe of Indians N the
West consists of 500 men, women and
children. About twenty-one years ago
The Government expended $4,000. Or
more. on new buildings and remodeled
old ones left by the army, for school
10 accommodate about $50 Indian chill
dIen and their teachers. Since then,
to maintain this school, there has been
expended about half million dollars.
The objects of this and all Indian
schools is to develop such independence
cf character and practical knowledge as
Will insure for all who are trained In
them the desire and ability to build for
themselves comfortable and healthful
homes. however humble, and to live In
them as healthy, happy, thrifty, law
abiding citizens
The total result in such homes with
these 500 Indians, with twenty years
work on the part of the Government,
at cost of more than a half million
dollars, is just one cottage which a
poor young mechanic would think fit to
live in.
Herded In Dormitories.
The Indian children are herded in
dormitories. instead Of being trained
TO live in small cottages.
They do their daily work under
those with some happy exceptions)
who have not been prepared to use the
daily necessary work as an excellent
means for training in industry, but as
masters. who with no bad intentions,
and maybe with kindest hearts, use
the children as SO many little slaves
TO get the work done, utterly neglect
ing the educational opportunity The
academic school work in the Indian
schools follows the curriculum of the
public schools. whose goal is not prep
aration for right living, but to enter
college.
Commissioner Valentine recognized
this unfortunate condition and sought
by various means to rectify IT; his
most radical measure being the en-
gaging of Wilson L. Gill. the origina-
tor Of democratic government in
schools. Mr.. Gilrs method is to de-
yelop a sense of responsibility in the
children.
The responsibility and authority of
aGUlts in charge of the children is not
changed by this method, but wheneve,
lacy enter heartily into its spirit and
plan. the new attitude of the children
is sUch that every bit of labor and
drUdiery becomes a source OF ins oira-
tion and Of educational value for the
affairs of everyday life. The Indian
children respond to this method with
enthusiasm and gratifying results"