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Show . . . " -~.-.- - - - ~.= . ,.' ,~ . REPORT OF THE COMMISSlONE& OF INDIAN. AFFAIRS. 79 tenor from influential citizens in different parts of the country, are worthy of careful consideration. In accordance with the suggestion contained in your letter of Janu-ary 30,1890, I have considered the question of the advisability of making a special recommendation on the subject to Congress, and have con-olnded that the enactment of legislation prohibiting the exhibition of Indians in shonrs of any kind, without authority from this office, is de-sirable, as it would effectually break up this praotice, which I regret to say still prevails to a considerable extent. In a few cases authority has been granted for Indians to attend in-dustrial expositions, not only in response to the urgent request of the responsible parties having the expositions in charge, but because the office fully believes in the beneficial influences of such industrial expo- I sitions, fairs, etc., npon the India1 - themselves as an educative force. Where authority is thus given sue:./ conditionsaud restrictions are im-posed as will secure good treatmel~,if or them, and, so far as possible, insure their being kept away from ,iad company. INDIANS AND THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. During the current fiscal yea,r, definite plans must be formed in re-gard to the exhibit to be made by this office at the World's Columbian. Exposition. It is the desire of the office to set forth as graphically as practicable the progress made by Indians in the various liues of civili-zation, especially in industrial pursuits and in education. Materials out of which a noteworthy and attractive display can be secured are varied and ample, and, if adeq~~ateplyre sented, the exhibit will prove a n instructive as well as an interesting feature of the Exposition. Blankets, beadwork, needlework, pottery, baskets, jewelry, products of the farm, kitchen, and dairy, manufactures in the liues of the various trades, specimeds of the, work of school children, etc., can all be gath-ered toillustrate what Indians not only can but will do if opportunity and training are given. If possible, Indians'themselves should be on the ground pursuing various avocations, which will illustrate their present as well as their former modes of life. The new and the old can be sharply contrasted, and though the old may attract poplllar attentiou by its picturesqueness the new will impress the thoughtful with the hopefulness of the outlook and the wisdom, as well as fairness, of extending to the weaker the helpfql hand of the stronger race. Although certain phasea of Indian life and history, especially relating to early periods, mas be presented by bureaus or organizations which have made special study of our aborigines from ethnological and an-thropological standpoints, Set a11 Indian exhibits of whatever nature should form a unit, not be a confused and confusing group of collections more or less duplicating each other. As a matter of economy, as well as effectiveness, all Indian displays should be so planned and arranged |
