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Show . 100 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. . . . tion, and gave directions for a movemel~lto oking to a great improvement . .. in their condition. The result is most gratifying; they are taking their lands iu the valleys, building homes, and show a wonderful spirit of pro-gress. , Probably more has been done by them in this direction mithiu the past two years than in any twenty years previous, and the school that mas so distressingly poor is now one of the best in the service, . - . doi~rgfo r them a work of incalculable value. Special pains Have been taken to develop water for these interesting people, and to make it possible for them to extend the- range of their agriculhse. They have been furnished with wagons, harness, and betterhorses than heretofore, and are now showing for the first time an 1 interest in the matter of transpoi.tation and are eager for work of that kind. This is a signal illustration of what ccan be done with properly directed efforts for even the most conservative of the tribes. FIELD MATRONS. Considerable attention has been given to the plan of employing field matrons who shall instiuct Indian women in the duties of the house-hold; assist and encourage them in bettering their homes, and taking proper care of their children; and incite among Indians generally aspi-rations for improvement in their life--morally, intellectually, socially, and religiously. The work begun on a small scale in a few tribes by means of a s m d appropriation has thus far been attended with re: salts fully commensurate with my expeotations. It will be further ex. tended during the current fiscal year by season of a slight increase in the appropriation, bringing it up to $.5,000-a sum, however, entirely inadequate if the work is to be prosecuted on any large scale. There are, of course, some difficulties connected with the successful ac-complishment of this work. Selections of field m&ons must be made with the greatest care, for they must be women of judgment, charac-ter, industry, sound health, free from family and other cares, so as to be able to devote their eufire time and strength to the work and ready to subject themselves to the privations which must be borne, if a.ny tangible results are to be secured. Another difficulty is to provide the field matronwiththefacilitiesneeded forthe accomplishment ofher work; for instance, a home into which Indian women can be welcomed by her and taught numbesless ways of civilization and refinement. She mnst also have some facilities for visiting Indians in their homes, which are often widely separated. Moreover, there are many places in which the work of a most faithful and competent field matron would meet with very smallresults owing to the inability of theIndians to carry. out the instrnctions and suggestions given. Very limited applcation of civil-ized ways is possible in a tepee and among familieswho roam from one place to another. Therefore, it is my policy to locate field ma$ons among tribes who have received, or are about to receive, allotmentsin |
