INDIAN VISITORS
A Small Band of Noble Red Men in Philadelphia
ON THEIR WAY TO THE COUNCIL

General Morgan Talks Significantly of the Indian Question - A Big Meeting, a Dinner and a Sightseeing

There was bitterness in the voice of General Thomas J. Morgan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, as he spoke last night before an audience that filled every portion of Christ Reformed Church, on Green street, below Sixteenth. He was referring to the charges made against him by Father Craft, the missionary, who laid the burden of the late Indian unpleasantness of his shoulders.

General Morgan read a carefully prepared paper on the Indian question, and after the meeting was over, while the Indian chiefs were holding an impromptu reception, he briefly talked to a reporter. The instant the unpleasant charge was mentioned the general said warmly: “I have met the untruthful charges made by Father Craft,” said he “with the strongest denial it was possible to make, and demanded of him that he furnish the proofs of his accusations or retract the malicious statements. Up to the present time he has not replied.”

Responding to a question regarding the movements of himself and party General Morgan said: “I will go to Washington early tomorrow morning alone. The Indian chiefs under the charge of Special Agent Lewis will follow at noon. On Saturday morning at 10 o”clock the important conference between the forty odd Indian representatives and those of the government, looking to the settlement of the much vexed Indian question will be held in the office of the Secretary of the Interior.” The General excused himself from further conversation, pleading fatigue and the necessity of rising early in the morning.

NOBLE CHIEFS ARRIVE

While the usual quiet annual gathering of the contributors of the Indian Educational Home was in progress General T.J. Morgan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, accompanied by seven noble Indian chiefs, were ushered into the meeting. They had just arrived direct from Pine Ridge, Dakota, over the Pennsylvania Railroad, at 11:20 and were escorted by Frank B. Lewis Special Indian Agent, and William J. Hugg, Superintendent of the institution. The Indian guests included John Grass, a Yanktonian Sioux attached to Standing Rock Agency, who is probably the ablest civilized Indian of the day, a fine orator and a man who favors every progressive movement among his race; Clarence Three Stars, a stalwart Ogalea Sioux, now at Pine Ridge, and a graduate of Lincoln Institution; Rev. Charles S. Cox, an Episcopal clergyman, who is missionary at Pine Ridge and an interpreter.

Major George Sword, who has been chief of police at Pine Ridge Agency for thirteen years; Lewis Shangrew, an interpreter; Young-Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses and Hallow Horn Bear. They enjoyed the proceedings highly, especially the singing of the chorus of Indian boys.

When the meeting adjourned Mrs. J. Bellangee Cox invited the party to go through the dining room and see one hundred Indian girls at dinner. Here Lewis Shangrew met his daughter who has been at the institution for two years, and there was an affectionate greeting between the red man and his child. He also has a son among the boys at the institution. The Managers entertained the party at a dinner given int eh institute, which will be their headquarters, while here. After dinner they were escorted by Alfred H. Love, president of the Peace Commission and Indian Agent Lewis took them on a sight-seeing tour, during which they visited the large dry goods stores and interesting features of Philadelphia. Astonishment was pictured on their faces as they watched and noted the life in our great mercantile establishments.

A STRONG INDIAN MEETING

“A Crisis in Indian Affairs” was the title of a call extended by the Universal Peace Union for a meeting in Christ Church last night, and it was responded to by the presence of nearly a thousand people. President Alfred H. Love was chairman of the meeting. Upon the stage were Rev. James Crawford, D.D., pastor of the church; Herbert Welsh, secretary of the Indian Rights Association, and Miss Sickels, who is engaged in work among the Indians and who is stationed at Pine Ridge Agency. A prayer by Rev. Crawford and singing by the church choir opened th meeting. Alfred H. Love then made a statement of opinions on the on the Indian question. The Indian pupils pleased the audience by their very good singing.

Commissioner Morgan was greeted with applause as he was introduced and at once began to clearly explain his subject, which is outlined below. Herbert Welsh talked to the point in his characteristic and well-informed manner. A respectful greeting was accorded Miss Sickels as she rose to address the meeting. She spoke with clearness was thoroughly at home with her subjects, as her experience with the Indians would indicate. The speeches and singing over the audience pressed forward to shake hands with the noble red men, who had set like statutes during the proceedings. Theya re fine fellows upon whom the evidences of civilization are plainly stamped. But they look Indian from head to foot and the grave manner in which they behaved during the meeting is characteristic of Indian etiquette.

After reviewing at length his experience as Commissioner of Indian Affairs he suggested the following remedies for the present deplorable condition of the Indian question:

First - I believe that there should be extended over the entire Indian service some form of civil service rules; that no man or woman should enter the Indian service except upon some test as to special fitness for the particular work to be undertaken. The duties devolving upon agents at different posts are widely varied in their particulars.

Second - The compensation paid to agents and other employees should be equal to that paid for a similar grade of service in other branches of the Government. Those in the Indian service should receive such pay as will warrant them in giving it their undivided time.

Third - The continuance of any person in the Indian service should be conditioned upon the faithful performance of that duty. Capacity and fidelity should entitle a man or woman to feel certain of being retained in office as long as they are worthy, or until the work shall have been accomplished.

Fourth - Indian affairs should be administered by one responsible head. At present the bureau is one of t many under the Department of the Interior. Regarding the question of Indian affairs being administered by the army, the speaker said as police the soldiers were a success, but they would not do as administrators of all Indian questions.

The speaker also presented a statement showing the amounts contributed by the different religious denominations to the welfare of the Indians from 1886 to 1891, which aggregated nearly $3,000,000.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fr., Feb. 6, 1891, p. 2