| OCR Text |
Show .' . X REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFwAIR8. sluggish minds to intallectual activity by wise mental trainiug and the impartation of useful knowledge, has bee11 undertaken by these Indian teachers almost single.handed and alone, unaided by those potent fac-tors outside of school which play so largea part in the education of our 'own children. (Sec page CXL.) It 3s afact rlot to be forgotten in any disclission of popular education that the most, important factors in the development of our American civ-ilization have been in the colleges, universities, and professional schools. Without these there would have been no common schools. If the average of intelligence among the Indians is to be brought up to the level of that of the other peoples which compose our nation, and they are to be prepared to compete in life's struggles on an equal basis, pro-vision must be made whereby those among them who are specially gifted with talent, ambition, and energy may procure a higher educa-tion than is oftered to them in the reservation and training schools. Already a very considerable nnmber hare shown both the desire and ability to pursue higher studies. Several are now sucoessfnlly teach-ing, or fitting themselves to teach, others are practioing medicine, some are preaching, and still others are preparing for the practice of law. The desire for these higher studies is steadily increasing andonly needs a little fostering to be productive of the best results. A common school, industrial edncation for all, a liberal and professional education for the w rthy few, with a fair field and free competition, is all that is asked for" nId~ ansa s for others. The outing system which brings Indian youth into intimate and vital relationship with civilized communities is now steadily developing and is productive of the most hopeful rcsults. During the past year Uar-lisle has accommodated nearly eight hundred pupils, more than half of whom have had the inestimable advantage of living and working, for periods varying from a few weeks to several months, with Pennsyl-vania farmers and others, who have paid them a reasonable compensa-tion. Their work has been very.satisfactory, and the school has been unable to meet the demand made upon it for help. When the present , plans for increasing its capacity are completed, not less than a thousand pupils can be cared for at this one institution, and so far as I can now see it will be entirely feasible to carry perhaps double this number. Every Indian boy or girl who secures a place to work at fair wages has become a producer, and is practically independent and self-supporting. The superintendent of Haskell Ihstitnte writes me that he expects to be able,when the present plans for that school are completed, to eare for one thousand students, and to provide homes fbr a large number of them among Kansas farmers. How far it will be possible to exteud the outing sjstem in connection with these training schools I am not gre-pared to say, bat the system seems to have great possibilities, and its development shall receive my constant and careful attention. These training schools, removed from reserratious, offer to the pupils opportunities whieh can not by any possibility be aftorded them in the |
