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Show 108 REPORTS OF TBX DEPARTXENT OF THE TNTERIOB. EDUCATION. Educational matters of the Five Tribes have been con-ducted during the fiscal year under the anomalous dual control of the United States Government and the tribal authorities. This condi-tion of affairs has not been conducive to the best results, but owing to the limited time in which the present state of affairs would continue no effort was made to change. The conduct of all these matters is under the general supervision of John D. Benedict, superintendent of schools in Indian Territory, assisted by supervisors in the Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cher-okee nations. In addition to these Government officials, the several tribes are represented through their own officials, constituting a dual authority in the management of the schools. Under existing laws all the tribal governments will cease on March 4, 1906, and thereafter tribal appropriations for the maintenance of these schools will be discontinued. This will result in the closing of all such schools on that date. It is presumed that when this act was passed abolishing the tribal governments it was expected that at their expiration the Territory would have a State or Territorial system of schools ready to take the place of those now in existence. Even should Congress admit the Territory as a State at the coming session, it will require a year or so to adopt a constitution, enact laws, establish a revenue system, and have public funds available for free schools. Therefore, as it seems now, after March 4, 1906, the Territory will be left practically with-out means of education outside of incorporated towns. During the year about 500 day schools were maintained throughout the Territory for white and Indian children and about 60 separate schools for negroes, by combining the tribal school funds with the Congressional appropriation, but the great majority of these are known as tribal schools, as the buildings have been erected on tribal lands and tribal citizens have contributed to the expense of their erection. It was hoped that some arrangement could be made to continue these schools throughout the present year, but such plan is impossible without the action of Congress at the coming session. Both the Department and this Office have realized the deplorable condition of educational affairs which would follow the dissolution of the tribal governments. The attention of the country has been called to the subject in the annual reports of this Office, and the notice of Congress invited to the absolute necessity of affording relief to the red children of this Territory. The lawmaking body having failed to legislate upon this subject, the Government is powerless to remedy the conditions which will ensue. The matter will again be brought to the attention of Congress, and the Office will cordially |