Year: 1876

sIoN-How THE PLAN WORKS ELSEWHERE.


[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-Mr. Seelye has sub;
ted to the Indian Committee plan for tho reorgan
zaon Of the Indian Bureau 1t contemplat taking the
management OF Indian affairs entirely away from the
Executive Department Of the Government and placing
in the hands of trust commission organized similarly
To those which control OF the great educational and
benevolent institutions Of the country His pan In sub
stance templates the appointment OF certain number
gentlemen of high character aud eminent position
with whom might be associated two executive OFF,
GERS of the Government who shall be er octO members
of the board He would have these gentlemen serve
without pecuniary compensation, and would give to
them entire control of all affairs relating to Indian man.
agement, under the general supervision OF Congress-
Mr. Seelye would ntrust to this board the expenditure
Of all moneys appropriated for the subsistence. civza
ton and education Of the Indians and through would
pay all Indian tribes the annuites which may be due
them under existing Treaties His plan also eontem
plates appointment by the board Of one or more ex
ecutve secretaries who should carry into execution the
policy adopted by the board.


The theory on which this plan of recognizing the In
dian service is based is that experience has shown that
the best managed institutions of the country are those
whose affairs are in hands OF trust companies OF this
kind For instance the Yale College Corporation has for
$50 years consisted OF Congregational cergymen
of Connecticut who fill vacancies in the board as they
occur and until lately Of certain S,ate officers who held
their positions during their term OF official service Inc
places of the State officers now tlled by
alumni. In all this tmo the affairs OF that
institution havo been managed with such wisdom
and discretion that no for criticism has ever
arisen The funds the institution have been honestly
and proftably invested and expended, and the college
has year by year grown in character and efficiency An
other instance which Prof seeye cites Is that OF the
American Board OF Foreign Missions all the affairs OF
which are managed by prudential committee, which
meets weekly in Boston and takes for consideration
every matter pertaining the welfare Of that great In
sttuon Alpheus Hardy, who has for many years been
the presiding officer Of this prudential committee says
that although he has invariably called the committee 10
order at the hour named for meetings has never oc
Cured that o quorum not present.


Prof seeye's plan is to make tue Indian Comms'
sion which he proposes establish sefperpetuating-
that is to allow the board TO fill all vacancies which
may occur in IL. This plan has been some
what discussed by the Indian Committee OF
the Uouse While il is hardly probable that 10 will be
1dopted members of that committee express the opinion
thai some radical change in the system OF managing
Indian affairs will be reported to the House this session
IN is more than likely that the plan agreed upon may De
ment and TO make it separate branch OF the Govern
mcut 10 be presided by officer VINO snail report
directly to the President, although nc shal not De
allowed seat in the Cabinet II this plan is adopted III


so suggested that the head OF the Indian Department
shall only be removed for cause thus giving rerma-
ncncy 10 the position which will add greatly 10 us
efficiency.