The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1916-07-15

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The following extract, except the
headings, taken from the Twenty
third Annual Report Of the Indian
Rights Association, for year ending
December l3, 1915, pages ALL,
shows oonclusively how Rome plays
American politics for tig money.
The controversy over the division
Of Indian Trust funds for the sup
port Of sectaIian schools, which be-
gan Just as our tventy-second an
nual report was issued, proved to be
a matter Of great national moment.
IL will be recalled that under direc-
tion Of the president, the Indian Of
fee made contracts with the repre-
sentatiyes Of two religious denomi-
nations, by which 935 pupils were
to be maintained at nine Indian
schools for the year ending June
80, 1905. The sum Of SiO2,5 $50
was 10 be taken from the tribal trust
fund accounts TO defray this ex-
pcnsc, Of which the ROMAN
! CATHOLICS WERE TO RE-
! CEINE SOS, $50 and the Lutherans
S4,320. This order Of the president
was based on his executive author
ity, and not as the result Of any ac-
tion Of the Indian tribes concerned.
As soon as il became known, how
ever, hundreds Of the Indians whose
funds were thus TO be used, with
out their knowledge or consent,
upon the unofficial consent of a
small minority (their permission
being required by the regulations Of
the Indian office, based on the
United States statutes), sent vigor-
GUS protests 10 the association, urg-
ing that steps be taken TO protect
their rights in the premises.
4 A pamphlet was issued ("In.
dian Trust Funds for Sectariar
Schools") reciting the facts, and
the subject was taken up vigorous
y ly BY the press Of the country; let,
ters poured upon members Of con.
gress from their constituents in all
parts Of the United States protest
ing against the policy of anything
even suggesting IN alliance OF
church and state and urging that
legislation be enacted 10 prevent a
\ further misuse Of these trust funds
Stephens Opposes Appropriation
I Hon. John II. Stephens, Of Tex
as, a member of the House Com
mittee on Indian Affairs en-.
deayored, without success, TO have
a clause inserted in the appropria-
tion bill TO prohibit the use of these
funds for the support of sectariau
schools. While the bill was being
considered by the house, Mr.
Stephens offered the following
amendment:
"That no portion Of Indian trust
funds nor the interest thereon shall
be expended for contract school,
without the consent, in writing Of
the Indians entitled TO the same
being first obtained"
This clause was defeated by Hon
James 5. Sherman of New York
who objected TO il on a point Of or
der, and his objection was sustained
Rome Before Senate Committee
Failing to accomplish anything il
the house, the opponents Of thir
policy directed their efforts to thj
senate with redoubled energy. Ii
view of the vigorous protests re
ceived from the official representa-
tives of nearly all the religious de
nominations conducting missionar,
work among the Indians, and man,
other people of prominence, Their
was a hearing before the sub-com
mittee of the Senate Committee ol
Indian Affairs, January 81, 1905
when the matter was fully presented
on behalf of the protesting Indians
In addition, some startling teSti
mony was given showing the inAu
ence that had been used TO secur
favorable consideration for tn
wishes Of the denomination chief,
interested in obtaining these con
tracts. In closing his statement b
the committee, our Washington
agent, Mr.. Brosius, said:
Rome Threatens Congressmen
"a statement has been made b
me by an honorable senator whicl
will be- smplifed before the com
mittee on Indian Affairs, If re
quested, to the effect that A Mr.
} SCHARF, A REPRESENTA-
TIVE CATHOLIC, SUBMITTEl
A TABLE OF TWENTY CL0Sl
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
! WITH THE ALLEGED CATH
s 0LIC VOTE IN EACH, AND
WRITTEN PROPOSAL TO DE