The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1923-03-08
American Indians are still held to
be. The Freedmen's Bureau,

oe. Inc ffeedmen'S Bureau,
which possessed sovereign power
in dealing with the Negroes, was
established as a mere tenn porary
agency, but its existence was pro
longed until June 20, 1872, when
it was abandoned. Through its
Vaccinations the Negroes were
defrauded and exploited, their
losses through the failure of 1874,
of the Freedmen's Saving and
Trust Company, being more than
50, 100000. Its total expenditures
during the seven years of its ex-
istence were reported as $13, 359,-
065 So, taken from the United
States Treasury.
The interesting fact is empha-
sized that whereas the Indian Bu-
reau deals with some 800, 1000 per
sons, it spends in a single year
more money than the Freedmen's g
Bureau spent in its entire exist
ence, though the latter dealt with
fifteen as many wards. 1t is point.
ed out that had the Freedmen's
Bureau grown as has the Indian
Bureau, dealing with its millions
of people instead of thousands, its
expenditures would require the
total receipts of the Government.
It is insisted that the policy which
has proved 80 wise and practical
in dealing with the Negroes should
be applied to the case of the In
dians. The Negroes, thrown upon
their resources, have made ap-
preciable strides, 10 o half century,
whereas those Indians who have
been held in virtual subjection to
bureaucratic rule have progressed
tlittle. if at all.
Striking comparison is made be
tween the free Chippewa Indians
Of Michigan s~and the "reserva
ton" Chippewa Indians of Mime
sofa. The people are of the same
ancestry and antecedents, but, be-
cause of circumstances, of differ
ent environment. The Michigan
Chippewas became citizens through
treaty and legislation in 1s45.
They have established and main
tain common schools, speak the
English language, own farms and
homes. hole Office and pay taxes.
From among them have gone out
teachers and lawyers and minis
ters. Others among them are
mechanics and farmers, Their
brothers in Minnesota who have
remained under control of the In.
dian Bureau. vito the exception
of the members of the White
Earth reservation, have no such
record of self-development and
the current appropriation provides
$95, 900 for their support,
The purpose of Mr.. Kelly's
brief clearly is to emphasize the
fact that the policy pursued and
the vast expenditures annually
called for degrade and pauperize
the Indians instead of advancing
them toward a status of citizen.
ship, the only reasonable goal
which should be set. Numerous
instances of declared maladminis-
tration are cited whicn have re-
suited in the depletion of funds
originally set apart as the rfghtful
property of Indian wards. 1t is
insisted that these funds have been
dissipated without regard to the
ultimate welfare of their owners,
and without their knowledge or
consent. Tribal interference or
prostestation is said to be system
atically siIenced and even peual-
lied. Thus the educated Indian
who returns to his people with the
hope of emancipating them is
discredited and not infrequently
imprisoned. =
One cannot refrain from in
quiring if there is not need to
consider very thoughtfully and