Past Commissioners’ Views
Honorable T. J. Morgan, appointed Indian Commissioner in June, 1889, might be said to have crystalized the policy having as its chief aim, the allotting, and the educating of Indians. He was followed by Honorable D. M. Browning, who served for four years. Honorable W. A. Jones, appointed in May, 1897, served until December, 1904, when Mr. Leupp succeeded to the office. We may dismiss the careers of the Commissioners preceding Mr. Leupp, with a blanket statement that they did not foresee that a policy emphasizing allotting and educating, and minimizing protection, would bring about disastrous results. Mr. Leupp’s administration felt the full force of the evil effects of policies inaugurated by his predecessors. We have already discussed Mr. Leupp’s views, and further comment is unnecessary.
Coming down to Mr. Valentine’s appointment, June, 1909, we find that Mr. Valentine recognized in the full sense the dangers confronting the Indian and strove to combat them. At the Lake Mohonk Conference, October, 1909, he delivered a splendid address entitled, “What the Public Should Know About the Indian Bureau.” In this he admits that his inspection service has been weak and that much of the trouble is due to incomplete, or faulty reports. I have commended elsewhere in this book Mr. Valentine’s health propaganda—for it is largely due to his efforts that Congress became aroused to the necessity of increased appropriations.
The acting Commissioner, Honorable F. H. Abbott, who served from September, 1912, to Mr. Sells’ appointment in June, 1913, carried out the policies inaugurated by his former chief. Abbott opposed wholesale allotments hastily made, as in the past. He took a firm stand against the allotment schemes proposed for the Navaho Indians at the present time.
Mr. Sells’ policy has been referred to at length on previous pages of this book. He was fortunate in his selection of Honorable E. B. Meritt as Assistant Commissioner, who entered the Bureau in 1910 as chief law officer. It was due to Mr. Meritt’s efforts that the application of a railroad for the granting of a right of way for the construction of a line through the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Arizona, was prevented. His work on behalf of the Yakima Indians, in protecting their water rights, was especially effective. He has delivered a number of addresses at Lake Mohonk, setting forth the aims of the Department under the present administration, and cooperates with the Indian Rights Association in its excellent work.
The inspection service is now under a new chief, Honorable E. B. Linnen. As a practical field-man of wide experience, he has selected a corps of competent men. Investigations are now carried on in a thorough manner, and incompetent persons removed, and not simply transferred, as in former times.
MOURNING THE DEAD
Photographed by Rev. Julius Jette, S. J., in a cabin at Nulato, Alaska, April, 1913
CONFERENCE OF INDIAN Y. M. C. A. STUDENTS AT DENVER, COLORADO