We believe that the Peace Policy of General Grant, which was
continued by President Hayes, has been productive of great and
lasting good to the Indians. Some infelicities have occurred
between the Government representatives and those of the religious
bodies having nominations intrusted to them, and these, together
with other reasons, have served to diminish the interest once
taken by the officials at Washington in the co-operation of the
religious bodies. We have no wish to discuss the subject, nor to
press upon the Administration the question of the continuance of
the Peace Policy. We content ourselves, therefore, with giving a
few statements relative to the Indian work under our care.
The general improvement of the Indians at the S’Kokomish Agency is
indicated from the fact that the white employés, with the exception
of the clerks, physicians, and those connected with the schools,
have been discharged and their places filled by Indians. At this
Agency, the long desired titles to their land have at last been
granted to the Indians by the Government, and they have, therefore,
additional inducements to become thrifty and make themselves homes.
At Dunginess Station, where a few members of the S’Kokomish church
reside, there is a church building, the only one in the county.
This has been furnished recently with a bell and melodeon. An
average attendance of forty on divine services at this point and
of eighty at S’Kokomish is of much encouragement. Their gifts,
also, to benevolent objects for the year, amounting to $614.67,
indicate that the Indian may be counted upon to help on the world’s
conversion. Good work has been done for Indians at Hampton and
Carlisle, and we have the question under serious consideration of
providing suitable accommodations for Indian youth in connection
with other institutions.
* * * * *