Three California Writers:

Experiment Of Indian Policy
by Samuel J. Rice

Edited by: Cindy Beck

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• Three California Writers Introduction
• Three California Writers Table of Contents

EXPERIMENT OF INDIAN POLICY

             While the Indian race recognizes the system, its character, as rendered so by the exaltation to power of a majority of unrighteous rulers, through the intrigues and deceptions of wrong-doing, operating through man’s weaknesses, deproved [sic] tastes and ideas, yet we, a race, wards, recognize them as the best efforts of poor, fallen humanity at governing our people.

            For many, many years the Bureau¹ has allowed them to make the effort and to see the results.  But after all the experimenting the results.  But after all the experimenting the results are as far from satisfactory today as at any period of its existence.  In fact the dissatisfaction is more general and widespread than ever before.  Not because there is more oppression and injustice than ever, but because under Indians’ arrangement through organizations the eyes of the public are being opened by the increase of knowledge of our unjust affairs.

            The various Indian organizations which have been established from time to time have exhibited the average ability of the people represented by them to govern their organizations.  They showed that despotic organizations have existed.  The fact that they have been tolerated by the masses of despotism proved that as a people they were not capable of establishing and supporting a better Indian organization for the uplift of the community and for the betterment of the government as a whole, though many Indian individuals were always doubtless far in advance of the average standing.

            As we (Indian race) gain intelligence and knowledge, as we compare the conditions of the country today with the conditions of humanity at any former period, we find a marked difference in the sentiments of the public concerning Indian life and affairs.

            The increase of knowledge in every direction awakens a feeling of self-respect, to honor the government and the governed, and a realization of their natural and unalienable rights which they will not long permit in the name of Justice to be ignored or despised.  Now then let us learn our lesson of Indian life and the platforms of their organizations from the Indians themselves.

            “Through a wide variety of channels, including newspapers, magazines and lectures, the true story of the Indian is being told in order that the general public may have reliable information on which to base constructive action.  Many organizations have elected delegates to act with the council of the league.  It is urged that additional groups be represented in order that the legislative programs of the league many have as substantial a backing as possible.” – Indian Welfare League.²

            The right channel is the Indian himself.  He knows best the enlightenment you should have to help him.

1. The Bureau of Indian Affairs.

2. The Indian Welfare League was organized in 1922 by Marah Ellis Ryan and other white reformers.  It accused the Bureau of Indian Affairs of neglecting its duty and called for reform of the system.

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