[No. 77 — Second Series — 5000] Indian Rights Association, 709 Provident Building, Philadelphia, May 25, 1907. A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INDIAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION, ITS OBJECTS, METHODS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. The Association is a non-political, non-sectarian body of public-spirited men and women. It was organized in Philadelphia, December 15, 1882, as a result of a visit of Messrs. Henry S. Pancoast and Herbert Welsh to the Sioux Indians, by about thirty gentlemen, who met in response to an invitation from the late Hon. John Welsh— "to take into consideration the best method of producing such public feeling and Congressional action as shall secure to our Indian population civil rights and general education. * * * * and in time bring about the complete civilization of the Indians and their admission to citizenship.” As defined by its constitution, the object of the Association is "to secure to the Indians of the United States the political and civil rights already guaranteed to them by treaty and statutes of the United States, and such as their civilization and circumstances may justify.” In the beginning of its work, to quote from a recent annual report, "the civilized Indian was the exception rather than the rule. The brutal expression ‘the only good Indian is a dead Indian’ seemed to represent the prevailing sentiment of the time. The country over which the red man roamed was sparsely settled. Outbreaks were taken as a matter of course, and comparatively little attention was paid to his rights or wrongs. Ignorance concerning the Indian and his affairs was dense and widespread. When the tide of emigration swept west- ward, and settlers, good and bad, began crowding the Indians more and more con- ditions materially changed. It was evident that wise measures should be adopted, whereby the Indian could be adapted to his new environment, and eventually be- come a part of it. To accomplish this it was necessary that public sentiment should be aroused by a vigorous agitation. * * * * It was also necessary to secure an accurate knowledge of actual conditions, which could only be done by frequent visits to the Indian country. This information then had to be brought to the attention of the public in order to exert a sufficient pressure upon Congress and the Executive to secure prompt and reasonable attention. This was done by the dissemination of information obtained through the medium of pamphlets and leaflets and through the columns of the public press. The work progressed slowly 2 at first, but gradually the Association won the respect and confidence of the public. Its accuracy of statement is rarely questioned, and an appeal now to the press of the country on any particular matter requiring attention from Congress or the people usually meets with ready response and produces definite results. “In the beginning the Association was regarded by many as a group of senti- mentalists, holding visionary theories that were absurd and unpractical. The Asso- ciation was also looked on by some Government officials as a ‘meddlesome and irre- sponsible body ’ constantly aiming to stir up trouble for somebody. All this has been changed. By avoiding serious mistakes, or inaccuracy of statement, and by contending for sound principles, the Association has demonstrated beyond question that its work was eminently practical and just. The Indian Office came to regard it as a friendly critic, and welcomed its co-operation. “A gradual and steady change has taken place among the Indians. Nearly all of them have discarded the old savage methods and customs. * * * * This improved condition of the Indian is not without its drawbacks, paradoxical as that may seem. What scheming men once accomplished by force is now attempted under cover of law; and in some respects the work of protecting the Indian’s rights is more difficult than ever — at least more costly. Frequently it has been neces- sary to appeal to the courts; in some instances to the highest tribunal — the United States Supreme Court. This is both expensive and tedious, but it is imperative, if vicious legislation by Congress is to be checked.” Although much has been accomplished, much yet remains to be done. The influence for good that has been exerted by this Association can never be properly estimated, but it is within reason to claim that without the existence of such an organi- zation during these twenty-five years conditions for the Indian would not have been as favorable as they are to-day. WASHINGTON AGENCY. The Association has a representative stationed in Washington, Mr. S. M. Brosius, who is ever ready to co-operate with the Indian Office, or to bring to the Commis- sioner’s attention various matters requiring adjustment. Mr. Brosius also care- fully scrutinizes all legislation relating to Indian affairs that comes up in Congress, and informs the members of that body regarding the merits or demerits of particu- lar bills. All vicious legislation is opposed. When it cannot be defeated in Committee, it is vigorously fought in Congress, and if that produces no effect, the facts are laid before the President with the request that he veto the obnoxious bill. The advantage of having a trained expert in Washington of high character and ability — a man who can give disinterested advice to Congressmen on Indian matters — is apparent. ACHIEVEMENTS. It is difficult to tabulate for inspection, within the limits of this pamphlet, all the results, direct and indirect, that have been accomplished by the Association. A brief summary of a number of concrete cases, however, will illustrate the char- acter and wide scope of the work, although they convey no idea of tlje amount of effort involved. In some instances it has required years of continuous agitation 3 before anything definite was accomplished. It should also be noted that the mere fact that such an organization exists solely to see that the Indians get a “square deal” and is constantly on the alert to guard them* from schemes to alienate their land or what not, undoubtedly acts as a powerful deterrent. The value of this phase of the Association's usefulness can never be computed. CONCRETE RESULTS. THE MISSION INDIANS. — The natural interest of the Association in these Indians was further stimulated by a promise made to Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson, by our Washington Agent, a few days before her death, that the Association would accept “as a solemn legacy the redress of past wrongs, present sufferings and the future hopes of her Mission Indians.” This pledge was fully redeemed, although to do so required more than ten years of effort, appeals to the courts, securing action by the Chief Executive and proper legislation from Congress. In one instance, the “Saboba case” was carried to the California Supreme Court, and a decision finally rendered in favor of the Indians. To do this the Association had to meet counsel fees and other legal expenses, and the Corresponding Secretary gave a personal bond of $3300 to indemnify the plaintiff in the event of an adverse decision. This decision protected about a dozen other bands from further harassing, since their titles were covered by the same points of law. Other reservations, originally too small, were extended by executive order, and new tracts also set aside ; intruders were removed, etc. To protect the Warner Ranch band of Mission Indians, numbering about 400, who were threatened with eviction from their homes, the Association employed coun- sel, and furnished a bond of $6100 to carry the case to the California Supreme Court Here the decision was against the Indians. It was taken to the United States Su- preme Court, with a like result. The Association then appealed to Congress on behalf of these Indians. An appropriation of $100,000 was granted to provide homes for them elsewhere. They are now located on a new reservation at Pala, California. OTHER LANDLESS CALIFORNIA INDIANS. — The Association was ap- pealed to in 1902 by the Northern California Association, on behalf of the 13,000 landless Indians in that State, scattered in about 420 settlements. Many of them were squatters, liable to eviction at a moment's notice. Treaties made with these Indians in 1852 promising new homes, were buried in the Senate archives until this Association succeeded, through Senator Bard, in having them printed as a public document. As a result of the combined effort of the friends of these Indians, the sum of $100,000 was appropriated by Congress to provide small homes for these Indians, and those in the southern part of California, who were also in a destitute condition. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.— From the beginning of its work the Association realized that one of the greatest obstacles to progress among the Indians was the character of so many unfit or incompetent employes who owed their places to poli- tical pull. It waged a vigorous assault on the spoils system, and when the ineffi- 4 ciency and cowardice of a political agent among the Sioux resulted in violence and bloodshed, in 1890, its demand finally gained consideration. President Harrison then extended the civil service rules to cover 629 positions; and since that time practically all places, except that of agent, have been included within the classified service. As the Indian agent is subject to confirmation by the Senate, the position could not be covered by the civil service law, and the political appointee continued to be the rule, with an occasional exception. As an alternative, however, the Asso- ciation urged that wherever possible the position of agent be abolished and affairs placed in charge of bonded superintendents of schools on the various reservations. This plan has been followed with good results. There are now but 19 reservations under the care of the political agents. The spoils system has been practically elimi- nated, with a corresponding increase in efficiency among the employes and good pro- gress on the part of the Indians. EDUCATION.- — In no branch of the service has there been a greater advance than in the educational work. In 1883 the appropriation for Indian schools was $487,200. The following year, Hon. H. M. Teller, Secretary of the Interior, desiring to take a forward step, appealed to the Association to support his recommendation for increased appropriations for school work. The Association was able to show good results from a meagre expenditure, and appealed to the public, through the press, pamphlets and letters, to demand from Congress adequate support for the schools. This appeal aroused such a strong sentiment that the amount was increased that year about $200,000, and the annual appropriation has grown steadily until it has reached the $4,000,000 mark, — with practically no opposition. In short, opposition and prejudice were overcome; Congress and the people were convinced of the importance of Indian education. The Association was instrumental in blocking the alleged agreement to open to settlement 11,000,000 acres of the Great Sioux reservation, in 1883. Many of its provisions were objectionable ; it was shown that signatures to the agreement had been improperly obtained. The matter was investigated by a Congressional Com- mittee, and the Association’s charges sustained. An equitable bill to open the reser- vation, drafted by Senator Dawes, was substituted and became a law. In June, 1883, Mrs. George Crook (wife of Brig. -Gen. Crook, U. S. A.) brought to our notice the destitute condition and needs of the Hualapai Indians, in New Mexico. The Association promptly sent Mrs. Crook $150 to meet the most urgent cases, and the matter was so vigorously pressed upon Congress than the sum of $20,000 was appropriated for their relief. Assistance was successfully rendered to the Santee Sioux, in 1883, to secure claims, in accordance with a special law. Their application had been refused by the Land Office in 1882. An appeal to the Secretary of the Interior, by the Asso- ciation, resulted in an investigation and a decision establishing the rights of the Santees in the premises without further legislation. 5 Fifty thousand dollars was asked for in December, 1884, by the Association for the relief of starving Piegan and other Indians of Montana. The amount was promised and then refused by the Chairman of the House Indian Committee. The Association stated the facts of the case to the country, and the Chairman was forced to advocate the bill; $50,000 was appropriated. In February, 1885, by executive order, 500,000 acres of the Crow Creek Indian reservation, in South Dakota, were thrown open illegally, and without compensa- tion to the Indians. The facts were presented to President Cleveland by the Asso- ciation, who revoked the order and restored the lands to the Indians. The Association secured the passage of an act, in 1885, by which the person or property of an Indian was made amenable to the law. Before this there was no law to restrain crimes committed on the reservations by Indian against Indian, except the rude and insufficient punishment fixed by tribal customs. In 1886 land patents were secured for 175 Puyallup Indians, Washington. These had been denied by Secretary Teller, but afterwards given by Secretary Lamat at the instance of the Association. An order for the removal of a part of the Stockbridge Indians from their reser- vation in Wisconsin, under the provisions of an act of Congress' procured through the influence of a lumber ring, was suspended by the authorities (in 1886) when the facts were presented by the Association. This saved these Indians from a great wrong. A cunning scheme to defraud the Indians on the Santee (Nebraska) and Sisseton (South Dakota) reservations of their lands was thwarted by the Association in 1886. An attempt to dispose of a large portion of the Winnebago reservation, Neb- raska, to the injury of the Indians, was defeated in 1886. The Association rendered material assistance in sfecuring the passage of the Land in Severalty Bill, by which an Indian could secure an individual title to his land, and also acquire citizenship. This became a law in 1887. When Geronimo and a small party of hostile Apaches had been captured (in 1888), after causing a great deal of trouble, the clamor of the whites in Arizona was so strong that all of the tribe were removed from their reservation to Fort Marion, Florida, and held as prisoners of war. Of the 500 Indians not more than 30 were guilty of any recent wrong-doing, and many of them had served in the army as scouts. Public attention was called by the Association to the gross wrong inflicted upon the innocent members of the tribe and their families, as well as to the inadequate and unsanitary quarters where they were herded. Shortly afterwards the Indians w T ere 6 moved to Mt. Vernon Barracks, Ala., where conditions were more favorable. Later, they were settled on the old military reservation at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where they have made good progress toward civilization and self-support. The Association called attention to the brutal and dangerous system of issuing ration beef to the Indians “on the hoof.” By that method the cattle w T ere turned loose at a given time and slaughtered by the Indians through the medium of guns or knives, after the fashion of the old buffalo hunt. The indiscriminate shooting on such occasions made the practice dangerous to all concerned. It was abandoned, and now the cattle are killed in a modern w T ay and the meat distributed .by weight to those entitled to rations. The several attempts made in Congress to abolish the Board of Indian Com- missioners, on the ground of “economy,” were vigorously opposed by the Association. The Board is still in existence and is rendering valuable service to the cause of Indian civilization. Through the efforts of the Association, a bill was passed by Congress in 1892 testoring to the Sisseton Wahpeton Scouts certain annuities w'hich had been con- fiscated in 1863 by act of Congress, under a misapprehension as to the facts. When a bill for the relief of the Stockbridge and Munsee Indians (which had been pressed by the Association) became a law in 1893, our Washington Agent w r as de- tailed by the Government to enroll those entitled to membership in the tribe, and thereby have their rights restored to them. Believing that the prejudice of the Navajos to education would be diminished by seeing something of the country, the Association raised a special fund of over $750 which enabled the acting agent (an army officer) to take a party of fifteen of them to the World’s Fair, at Chicago, in 1893. The effect w T as almost magical upon the tribe, and greater than was anticipated. It resulted in parents bringing their children to school voluntarily, where previously it was almost impossible to get them to come ; and also caused a great change in the attitude of the Indians toward the white man’s ways. For nine years the Association opposed efforts to remove the Southern Utes from their reservation in Colorado. The matter w r as finally adjusted in 1895 by giving the Indians their allotments in severalty and opening the surplus land to settlement. The lives of seven Indian policemen on the Cheyenne River reservation, in South Dakota, in 1895, w r ere saved by the Association employing counsel to protect them from the persecution of the local prosecuting officer. They had been ordered by their agent to arrest a ruffian for attempted homicide, and when he rushed at them with an uplifted axe, they had shot him in self-defence. When the cases came ' 7 up for trial, the facts were so clear that the jury promptly acquitted the accused men. An investigation was made by the Association in 1895 into the condition of the Navajos, at a time when the Government protested that no destitution existed. The needs were so great, however, that a private fund of $1300 was raised by the Association and expended for medicinal supplies, provisions, seed wheat, etc. The Government was forced to recognize the facts, and Congress appropriated $25,000 for their relief, which was made immediately available The attention of the people of South Carolina was called to the condition and needs of the Catawba Indians in that state (in 1896), which resulted in extra appro- priations by the State legislature, and schools being provided from private sources. These Indians are not under the care of the Federal government. On receipt of information, in 1899, concerning the destitute condition of a tribe of Indians on the Copper River, Alaska, from an officer of the United States Army, the Association brought the matter to the attention of the War Department, urging that some provision be made for their relief. As a result, the Assistant Secretary of War authorized the issue of rations to tljese Indians for a time that was deemed sufficient to meet their most pressing needs. When an epidemic of smallpox broke out among the Zuni and Moqui Indians of New Mexico (in 1899), the matter was promptly brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who did everything in his power to improve the situation. The Association raised from private sources about $400 to purchase needed supplies and extra delicacies for the sick that the Government could not authorize. This money was wisely expended by two noble women working among these Indians — Miss Mary E. Dissette and Miss Sara E. Abbott — and did much to cheer and com- fort the afflicted Indians. Counsel was employed by the Association (in 1900) to protect three Navajos who had been unjustly indicted for murder by a territorial grand jury. They were acquitted. When the case of three Pueblo Indians who had been unjustly detained in jail, on the charge of murder, without even being able to secure a hearing, was brought to the notice of the Association by friends of the accused men, the matter was called to the attention of the Department of Justice in 1901. That Department investigated the matter, the local grand jury ignored the representations of the District Attorney, and dismissed the case against all of the accused. Another case which nearly cost the lives of two innocent Indians by the over- zeal of a prosecuting attorney was that of Spotted Hawk and Litte Whirlwind, two Northern Cheyenne Indians. A sheep herder had been murdered by an Indian 8 named Stanley, who confessed his crime, but for some unaccountable reason the prosecuting officer secured the arrest of Spotted Hawk and Little Whirlwind, and mainly on the testimony of the self-confessed murderer they were promptly con- victed and Spotted Hawk sentenced to be hung and Little Whirlwind to life impri- sonment. The Association, upon learning of the facts, promptly employed counsel to appeal the case of Spotted Hawk; — it was unable to take this course on behalf of Little Whirlwind, owing to the failure of his counsel to move for a new trial at the proper time. The decision as to Spotted Hawk was reversed bv the Montana Supreme Court, and he was given his liberty. Meanwhile Little Whirlwind was in prison serving a life sentence. Stanley, the real murderer, made another confession, shortly before his death, and as a result of much effort, Little Whirlwind was par- doned by Governor Toole, in 1901, when the facts were presented to his attention by Judge Sanders, on behalf of the Association. In 1901 about 100 Pima Indians, who had been living for twenty-eight years on public lands in Arizona, west of the Salt River reservation, were in danger of being forced off these lands by whites. The Association was appealed to, and so vigorously pressed the case that the Indians were fully protected by the Department.' A similar service was rendered to a" number of Xavajos who had been living for years on some public land in Arizona. Rev. W. R. Johnston, a missionary work- ing among the Navajos. came to Washington bringing with him two of the Indians. After a brief interview, the President issued an order withdrawing from sale and set- tlement the land in question “until such time as the Indians residing thereon shall have been settled permanently under the provisions of the homestead laws or general allotment act.” This made it possible to give to these Indians an absolute title to their allotments. An appeal was receivd in 1901 from Mrs. Joel Bean on behalf of a small band of 60 Indians in X T orthem California. Like many other Indians in that state, they had been living on land owned by whites, and were given notice to “move on.” They were self-supporting, the Government had never helped them, and would not render • aid in this instance. The Association raised a special fund of S3 12, with which Mrs. Bean purchased a 40 acre tract near their old homes and where they were promptly settled free from further molestation. An effort was made in 1902 by the Interior Department to lease to a cattle syn- dicate nearly two-thirds of the Standing Rock reservation, in North and South Dakota, for grazing purposes. This proposition was contrary to the wishes of the Indians and in direct violation of an explicit agreement they had entered into with the Depart- ment. Appeals for delay were ignored by the Department. The Association secured the services of Rev. T. L. Riggs, a well known missionary of the Congregational Church, located for years among the Sioux and familiar with their language, to make a thorough investigation. The facts thus secured were submitted to the President, with the suggestion that he send Dr. George Bird Grinnell to make an independent 9 examination and report directly to the Executive. This was done and the matter adjusted to the satisfaction of the Indians. An attempt to remove the Northern Cheyenne Indians from their reservation in Montana was defeated through the efforts of the Association. In 1902, after several years of effort, the Association was instrumental in secur- ing the passage of an act by Congress to protect the timber rights of the Chippewa Indians, in Minnesota. THE LONE WOLF CASE. — In 1901, Lone Wolf, acting on behalf of members of the Kiowa. Comanche and Apache Tribes, filed a bill in equity against the authori- ties to restrain them from carrying out the provisions of the alleged fraudulent agree- ment of 1892, which had been ratified by Congress. The Supreme Court of the Dis- trict denied the application for an injunction, and that decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. Believing that the rights of the Indians should be maintained if under the law it could be done, the Association joined with them in an appeal to the United States Supreme Court, and retained Hampton L. Carson, Esq., of Phila- delphia, to argue the case. The decision was against the Indians, however, as on January 5, 1903, Justice White handed down an opinion in which the Supreme Court substantially declared it to be the law of the land that the Indians in their tribal rela- tions have practically no rights whatever which Congress is bound to respect. This decision, while at first startling to the friends of the red man, will probably do more toward breaking up the tribal relations and developing the Indian in his individual capacity than any other result. The Indians at La Pointe Agency, Wisconsin, have large timber interests, and in 1903, when a contract with a lumber company was about to expire, the agent recommended that a new contract be made with the same concern at but a slight advance over former prices, notwithstanding the great increase in the value of lum- ber. This was unsatisfactory and unfair to the Indians. They appealed to the Association, and the publicity and agitation the subject received resulted in securing one of the best contracts ever executed on behalf of the Indians relating to the sale of pine timber; the price being double what the lumber company paid under the old contract. The scandalous abuses existing in Indian Territory were fully exposed by the Association in 1903. This resulted in an investigation by direction of President Roosevelt, and many corrective measures being applied. The Association drafted a bill, which was passed by Congress in 1903, which has done much to break up the monopoly so long enjoyed by the reservation traders. It makes competition possible, and gives the Indians the benefit of “free trade.” An important achievement of the Association was in effecting the passage of a bill (in 1904) prepared by its Washington Agent, to render the title of Indians to IO their allotments indefeasible except for cause specifically stated. It had been supposed that the Severalty Act fully protected the holdings of Indians, but in 1900 the Secretary of the Interior decided that he had the right to cancel an allotment at any time prior to the expiration of the 2 5 -year trust period. As this claim was supported by a decision of the U. S. Supreme Court, the allotment of every Indian under the Act of 1887 was virtually subject to cancelation at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Interior. Not only would this decision have opened the way for schemes of unscrupulous men to have a desirable holding canceled, but the insecurity of the title was also likely to destroy all incentive to the Indians to make permanent improvements on their allotments. The far-reaching effect for good of this measure can hardly be over-estimated. A bill was introduced in Congress (in 1904) to open to settlement 416,000 acres of surplus land on the Rosebud reservation, Gregory County, South Dakota, at a price less than its real value. The Indians appealed to the Association to protect their rights. They were willing to sell the land for $5 an acre, but the bill proposed to give them $2.50. Investigation showed that the former figure was a reasonable one. The vigorous agitation produced results; the aid of the President was invoked and he informed the sponsors for the bill that he would veto it unless the terms were made more satisfactory to the Indians. As a compromise $4 was named as the selling price for the first six months. The Indians received about $800,000 more for this land than was originally offered. The Pueblo Indians, in New Mexico, were in danger of losing their homes through inability to pay taxes levied against them under a decision of the territorial court. To protect them, the Association was instrumental in securing the passage of a bill (in 1905) exempting them from taxation “of any sort whatever.” Owing to abuses in connection with the sale of inherited lands, the Association urged in 1905 that they should be disposed of, after due advertisement, to the highest bidder. This plan is now followed by the Indian Office. The Association opposed an effort which was made to divide the Osage reserva- tion into three or four counties, when the Oklahoma-Indian Territory enabling act was before Congress (in 1906), because of the fact that the valuable oil, gas and mineral deposits on the reservation, and police regulations, could be better controlled with the management centralized than by a division of responsibility. A full state- ment was sent to members of Congress, and when the bill finally passed, it was stipu- lated that the Osage reservation should constitute a separate county. The protest of the Association in 1906 against the proposed transfer of the man- agement of the reindeer industry in Alaska from the Bureau of Education to the Gov- ernor of that territory was effective, and resulted in a decision by Congress to “let well enough alone.” It was shown that this industry’, under the care of Dr. Sheldon Jackson, had increased from an original herd of 1280, purchased about 13 years ago, to 13.000. The experiment was the means of relieving much destitution, and is building up a native industry, through means of transportation, as well as a supply of food and clothing, which promises to make the Alaskans self-supporting in the near future. An attempt was made in 1906 to dispose of some surplus land on the Lower Brul6 reservation, in South Dakota, at an inadequate price. The Association laid the facts before the members of the House, and the measure was amended providing that the land should be appraised and sold at its estimated value. In this shape the bill became a law, and it was acceptable to the Indians. The Association co-operated with several organizations to secure the insertion of a clause in the Indian Territory-Oklahoma enabling act, to protect the Indians in the projected new State from the liquor traffic. This was successful; the act stipu- lating that prohibition must be maintained for twenty years, and continue thereafter until the legislature shall provide otherwise. The Standing Rock Indians, in North and South Dakota, were unwilling (in 1907) to approve an agreement to lease a large portion of their surplus land for grazing purposes, which had been very properly urged by the Indian Office. The matter was fully explained to them by the Washington Agent of the Association, and in the council held to formally ratify the leases they stated that they would not have done so had it not been that their best friends, — the Indian Rights Association and Miss Collins, the Missionary, — urged them to do so. Such statements are unusual for In- dians to make in council proceedings, and are an indication of how highly advice given by the Association is valued. A bill to open to settlement nearly 1 ,000,000 acres of surplus land in Tripp County, Rosebud reservation. S. D., was introduced in Congress in 1907, naming $5 as the price to be paid per acre. The Indians protested that this was not enough and appealed to the Association to protect their rights. As a result of vigorous opposi- tion, when the measure became a law it provided that $6 per acre should be paid for land filed upon during the first six months. A measure brought forward in Congress in 1907 which would have seriously im- paired the rights of the Chippewa Indians on the La Pointe reservation. Wisconsin, to their allotments, on which is much valuable timber, was defeated through the efforts of the Association. The diversion of Indian trust and treaty funds by order of President Roosevelt for the support of sectarian schools has been opposed by the Association since the practice began in 1904 It is contended that the plan was in violation of an explicit declaration of Congress to “hereafter make no appropriation whatever for education in any sectarian schools.’’ The Indians whose money was thus used protested vigor- ously, but all attempts to secure legislation to make the provision quoted apply speci- 12 rically to the treaty and trust funds were unsuccessful. In 1906 suit was brought by three Rosebud Indians, through the Association's Washington Agent as their attorney, to restrain the Government from using these funds in the manner indicated. A deci- sion was rendered on April 4, 1907, in the District Court (Washington) to the effect that although treaty funds could not be used, trust funds may be so expended. An appeal was taken to the higher court and is now pending. MANAGEMENT. The work of the Association is conducted under the supervision of Mr. Herbert Welsh, who has served as corresponding secretary during its whole life, without any remuneration whatever, in conjunction with the other officers and an executive committee. The Association keeps in touch with affairs in all parts of the Indian country by visits of its representatives, and through correspondence with educated Indians and others. Since the beginning of its work about 600,000 copies of various publica- tions have been distributed, with good results. The key-note of its work is embodied in a suggestion made by Secretary Stanton to Bishop Whipple, when the latter went to him on behalf of some of his Indians. The Secretary said: “Why do you come to me? Go to the people. Congress never redresses a wrong until the people demand it.” The Association has constantly “gone to the people” and their voice has been heeded on numerous occasions. The Association must depend upon the public-spirited people of the country for its support, arid those interested in maintaining its work are invited to help by becoming members (annual dues $2; life membership $25) or by making such a contribution, large or small, as they may care to send. We shall be glad to answer all letters of inquiry, or to give any information de- sired regarding our work, and to send our publications to any address. All communications should be addressed to HERBERT WELSH, Corresponding Secretary, 709 Provident Building, Philadelphia, Pa. The Indian Rights Association as a free and independent society has given to the cause of Indian rights disinterested ability of a high order. It has brought to light hidden things of darkness. It has made officials feel that they were under the public eye. It has made ears attentive to cries for help which otherwise had been deaf, and it has given faithful officials the reward and help of knowing that they would have in all their right measures strong public backing. Without it the friends of the Indian would feel that by definite, earnest effort they could accomplish but little and were beating the air. — Rt. Rev. William H. Hare , D.D., Bishop of South Dakota.