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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1914)
THE CHEM AW A AM ERICAN 25 entire day will be devoted to alumni events, speeches, athletic sports, and socials will be one for the day. Those in charge of arrangements are making special efforts to have things arranged so that the day will be enjoyable for everyone. OUR COMMISSIONER Many complimentary notices have appeared in the public press with ref erence to the work done and contemplated by Commissioner Sells since he assumed charge of this Bureau, but none have been more comprehensive and to the point than the little booklet lately issued by Major M. K. Snif- fen, secretary for so many years of the Indian Rights Association, of Phil adelphia. This Association, as we all know, is, and has been, nearer to the Indian and His Problems” than almost any other society or organ ization of friends of the Indian, and their opinions on such matters are entitled to most serious consideration. The brochure mentioned is a most interesting document, and we would like very much to be able to gi\e it to our readers in full, but lack of space prevents. The booklet closes with the following resume: As a result of Mr. Sells’ brief tenure of office, the standard of effi ciency and honesty has been raised throughout the Indian service,—both in Washington and in the field. The work he has set out to do, how ever, is by no means completed. The Big Things,-those demanding urgent consideration,—are being disposed of as quickly as possible. When they are well under way, other matters will, we believe receive Prol^ r attention. What has been thus far done is a good indication of what may be expected in a general cleaning up of every part of the Indian service. “ It should not be overlooked, however, that Commissioner Sells’ firm determination to preserve the vast resourses of the Indian, in land, tim ber coal and oil must sooner or later develop great disappointment and bitter opposition from selfish interests; and it is highly important that the .rue friends of an honest and efficient administration shall stronglv support him in his patriotic and fearless course. Our observation indicates that there has been developed a general eeling of confidence in Mr. Sells’ ability, integrity and courage on the part of the public and the press; and Congress, for the first time within our knowledge of Indian Affairs, seems to be in sympathy with the Com missioner, and willing to grant the necessary appropriations to carry on the work. - “ Commissioner Sells has established a new mark in Indian adminis tration and his influence for good can never be eradicated. He has ele vated the service to a plane from which he would not recede if he could and from which he could not recede if he would. He has set the pace’ and whoever may follow him (in the far distant future, we hope) will of necessity be compelled to live up to those established ideals or suffer by comparison.”
