*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) CHAPTER XXX. JUVENILE COURTS *376.* _Reformatories, Object, Liberty._—During the past few years juvenile courts have been created for the purpose of committing children to reformatories. The proceedings are not criminal actions, but of an equitable nature.(670) However, as the object is to deprive the child of its liberty, the statute must be strictly construed and followed.(671) An infant can not waive a right.(672) If a child has been wrongfully committed or is wrongfully detained, the proper remedy for his discharge is a writ of _habeas corpus_.(673) CHAPTER XXXI. LIBEL AND SLANDER *377.* _Confidential, Tribunal, Malice._—The rule is that all confidential statements made to an officer or a tribunal of the church concerning a member in the course of church discipline and for the good of the church, if not made with malice, are privileged, and no action for libel or slander can be maintained therefor.(674) *378.* _Member, Officer, Councils._—But slanderous or libelous statements made concerning a person not a member of the church or made concerning a member of the church to another member who is not either an officer or in the councils of the church, are actionable and the person making or publishing such statements is liable for damages. Also, a person who repeats a libel or slander may be liable as though he were the originator.(675) *379.* _Official Communication, Privileged._—An official communication between authorities of the church or an authority and a member of the church concerning a church matter or church members and not made in malice, is privileged.(676)