The daily progressive-miner., 1917-12-05


 come. Mir Duncan's wealthy and long.
 time friend and historian. The steno,
 graphic record of these interviews
 shows that Mir Welcome could not
 have more Questionably shied receiv-
 ing the information if he had been the partner of MT Duncan. or was his lawyer pettyfogging to defend him. Does not what is paid you come from the wealth thus accumulated?
 It was alleged of Marsden that he proselyted the Metlakatla people from
 NIT. Duncan's church into the Pres byterian church" Is it not right of Imen everywhere to know the various routes 10 life eternal and then to make ltheir own choice? Mir. Duncan hay ling been unfrocked by the Episcopal IChurch which sent him from England as their missionary among the Cana dian Indians. shrewdly planned and caFr;c8 with him into cult of his own those whom he had gathered in while under the pay and resources of the English Church. and then in 1887 es caped English oversight by emigrat- ing his community into the United IStates. Thereafter. he was never af fliated with any church. If his peo- pie on further knowledge concluded they would rather become Presbyter ian Christians than 10 remain Duncan ! Christians. that was their personal right and Marsden is only responsible for the quality of the knowledge i'm parted which. fl the truth, could not ba offending His veracity is not questioned I publicly. as l do now questioned MT. Duncan's methods with Indians when he appeared before Un- lited States officials here in Washing ron in 1887. seeking transfer for his Metlakatlans from their home in Can ada 10 our Anette Island (seeRe port 'ot Board of Indian Commissioners i1SS7. also Welcomes book "MetIakat- la
 l. was alleged that "Marsden put in bid and secured from the Govern msnt q contract. for carrying the mails and supplies for the lighthouses :n the Ke-chikan District. taking the business away from needy white man who had held il for several years This charge was so puerile, II a. once resented il to the party making it-with the sarcasm il de- served All the Indians have ever needed has been equality Of opportun fly. Given that they will become. as in Marsden's case. worthy and useful in our American life. Before I left Ketchikan it came to me that the man whom Marsden had bid against had cannery and store which kept him busy. and having bid about the same. he was offered the continuance Of the service. but generously waived il in flavor Of Marsden.
 An illuminative illustration of the Metlakatla conditions was presented by an elderly town official during the interviews He had been silent be- fore and when he spoke he got up and walked the floor He said It is like this. The Governor was coming to Ketchikan and they wanted to give him big parade with music to which Metlakatla was invited and we all ( never been taught 10 march. so they ,put us in big cannery to learn how from former soldier. who had been wounded in the leg He formed us in line and stood before us and said Now do as I do. Left. Right. Left, Right, Left. Right. marking time with his feet and We initiated until we could all move our feet together Then he led and we marched of and as he limped we all limped. IL is just that way about the Metlakatla people If our Captain lies, we are all classed as liars. If he is dishonest, we are all classed as dishonest. If he de E--4f SS, " : d4S d44 E4dSSEA dS uSSc4s . CTS. If he drinks, We are classed as drunkards. If he is immoral. we are held 10 be immoral"
 This apt illustration by an Indian applies beyond Metlakatla, to other tribes and everywhere. The quality Of the supervision and it's pronounce nents often furnish ample reasons for the undeseryed and bad reputation Of the race l. sometimes happens that there are men Of higher princi- pies, wiser and even abler among the Indians themselves than those sent to control and uplift them.
 The correspondence and invegtiga- ton shows that the several respect able citizens who came to your aid with joint letter 10 Margden's Pres byterian Chief, repeating your words, in condemning and sentencing Mars lden. were each asked for their facts, and in every case failed 10 even at- tempt 10 sustain their allegations. Nor did I find you stood by yours.
 While in Alaska I heard Reverend