XIII. “In general, it is; in some instances it is too paternalistic; in others, it is sometimes crowded to an issue contrary to distinctly good Indian policy by interests which bear upon general public policy. In other words, the Indian interest must frequently be sacrificed for general and broader interest.
“I might say that the Government is protecting the Indian, and protecting him well, but the public is not. If the public would be more just, the Government might exert less paternalism, with great advantage to the individual Indian.
“It should be added that often the Indian stands in the attitude of finding Government protection irksome, just as a child often feels toward parental authority. As one Government official aptly said, ‘It is hard to protect the Indian when he doesn’t want to be protected’.”
Honorable Horace G. Wilson, Supervisor of Indians, Rosebud, Oregon, replies to the questions rather briefly. He believes that the general condition of the Indians is better than ten years ago; that the Indian is naturally immoral, but his wickedness increases through contact with low Whites; that the mixed-bloods are in the best condition; white people are taking advantage of the Indians; Indians should be educated near at home; white men are marrying Indian women to secure property. Finally, that the Government is protecting the Indians.
Honorable Charles F. Peirce, Superintendent of the Flandreau school, South Dakota, says he has in charge a large number of pupils each year. He considers the condition more satisfactory than ten years ago; that the moral condition of Flandreau Indians compares favorably with that of white people in the surrounding community under same conditions; that there is little drunkenness; that the observance of marriage relations is as good as among white people; that most of the Indians are full-bloods; that the mixed-bloods are more industrious.
CLASS IN DOMESTIC ART. HASKELL INDIAN SCHOOL. KANSAS
“The Flandreau Indians have been citizens of the State of South Dakota, voting and otherwise taking part in municipal affairs for twenty years, and while the Government is nominally holding jurisdiction over them, they need but very little protection, and that is being exercised by the Government as necessity demands.”
Honorable Frank A. Thackery is Superintendent of the Pima Indian School, Sacaton, Arizona. As to the prevalence of trachoma and tuberculosis ten years ago as compared with the present, he cannot give much information. He admits that there is a high percentage of deaths from tuberculosis, and recommends inexpensive hospital camps.
VI. “Speaking for the Pimas alone, the matter of their water rights is the principal factor to be considered in connection with their advancement in the past ten years, as upon their right to the water of the Gila River rests their sole opportunity for industrial independence. The Pimas are victims of circumstances beyond their control in so far as the irrigation problem is concerned and the Indian Office is now taking very active steps to protect the rights of these Indians wherever the encroaching whites have jeopardized them.