Tag Archives: Robert G. Valentine

An Edict and An Exit

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Priest With Children at Indian Boarding School, courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

Priest With Children at Indian Boarding School, courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

Robert G. Valentine served as commissioner of Indian Affairs from June 1909 to September 10, 1912. Valentine ran into trouble when he issued his “religious garb” order, without prior approval from the secretary of the Interior. The order forbade anyone to display religious garb or insignia in Indian schools and missions. Though his edict applied to all religious orders, the primary people affected were Catholics.

His move backfired, and President Taft directed the secretary of the interior to revoke the edict. Valentine ended up resigning his position September 11, 1912, and a compromise measure was approved by the secretary: though no one currently working would be fired, there would be no further hiring of teachers who insisted on wearing religious garb. Valentine was investigated by Congress after his resignation, but was not prosecuted after being found guilty of six charges.

Valentine became a respected labor mediator, before dying in 1916 at the age of 44. The tiny community of Truxton Canyon, Arizona, changed its name to Valentine in 1910, to honor commissioner Valentine.

Drexel Indian School, White Earth, courtesy the archives of St. John's Abbey

Drexel Indian School, White Earth, courtesy the archives of St. John's Abbey

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Spare No Expense

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Indian Office , Washington, DC, circa 1920, courtesy Library of Congress

Indian Office , Washington, DC, circa 1920, courtesy Library of Congress

Each year, the House of Representatives conducted hearings on the Indian Appropriation Bill, to approve funding for all the expenses associated with schools and reservations. The Canton Asylum for Insane Indians also fell under this bill.

In 1912, commissioner of Indian Affairs, Robert G. Valentine, supplied information about the asylum’s expenditures the previous year. In 1911, the facility had been allocated $25,000, but only spent $20, 524.81. (Canton Asylum’s superintendent, Dr. Harry Hummer, was determined to come under budget each year).

Employee costs were highest, at $10, 791.18, and their subsistence came next at $4, 066.88. The next two most expensive items were construction and repairs, and then heat, light, and power.

Stationery and office supplies came to $205.88, and “miscellaneous” at $271.99.

The cost for medical supplies for the year: $172.13. Below is a picture of the medical staff at Tulalip Indian School; there are several student nurses besides the staff doctor and nurse. At the Canton Asylum for Insane Indians, the superintendent was also the doctor and the only medical provider. Nurses were not employed there until nearly the end of the facility’s existence.

Medical Staff, Tulalip Indian School, 1912, courtesy Library of Congress

Medical Staff, Tulalip Indian School, 1912, courtesy Library of Congress

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