*371.* _Indians, Citizens, Wards._—There are a great number of statutory
provisions concerning Indians, both in the United States statutes and in
the statutes of the several States, most of which are not of great
importance at the present time, as the Indians are confined to a few
States. When they become citizens of the State in which they reside, their
status is the same as other citizens; but so long as they remain in their
tribal relations they are taken care of as wards of the Union.
*372.* _Schools, Cemeteries, Churches._—In Oklahoma there are schools
provided for them. When a tribe cedes 160 acres to the United States, it
will give it a school for ten years, and as much longer as it deems
necessary. Also, the Indians may have their own cemeteries, schools, and
churches, where the Indians belong to the tribes, and they are allowed
lands therefor.(660) In other States, under the general law, the money of
Indian minors may be held in the treasury by the Secretary of the Interior
and paid to parents and guardians in such sums and at such times as the
Secretary in his discretion may determine.(661) There is no doubt that out
of those moneys, parents might pay for their children at private
schools.(662)
*373.* _Inspectors, Duties._—Under the United States laws, inspectors are
appointed to visit Indian agencies and investigate all matters concerning
them and to examine all contracts and accounts with the Indians and make
report thereon to the Secretary of the Interior. The contracts for support
of religion, schools, and charitable institutions, come under their
duties.(663)
*374.* _President, Trades._—The President may cause Indians to be
instructed in trades and agriculture and have them taught the elementary
branches.(664)
*375.* _Commissioner, School, Rations, Bible, Sectarian._—Another officer
of great importance is the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who has most to
do with the education and schools of the Indians.(665) He may require
parents and guardians to send children to school and withhold rations from
them for failure so to do. Also, there is a fund under the control of the
United States as trustee, with which he may make contracts for the
education of Indian children at private schools.(666) However, the
jurisdiction of the commissioner over Indian children does not extend to
those off the reservation.(667) Among other provisions of the United
States statutes is the following: “The Christian Bible may be taught in
the native language of the Indians if in the judgment of the persons in
charge of the school it may be deemed conducive to the moral welfare and
instruction of the pupils in such schools.”(668) The Bible continues its
position among the Indians, but appropriations for the Church are cut off
by the following provision: “It is hereby declared to be the settled
policy of the government to hereafter make no appropriations whatever for
education in any sectarian school.”(669)