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Show 38 REPOET OW THE COMXK?3SIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. For these pupils there are maintained nineteen day schools. They are conducted in rented buildings for the reason that it has been impossi-ble to secure title to land on which to erect buildings. The needs of these Indians are very great, and some effort should be made to improve the condition of the generation now growing up. Taking the condition of the Indians of these two Territories into consideration, the entire amount of the appropriation available for all schools not specifically provided for could be used to their advantage and civilization in school plants alone. The scholastic population of the Chippewa of Minnesota is about 2,280, and the schools, both Government and mission, have a capacity for 600. It is true that a large number, however, are away at nonres-ervation schools, but the above indicates the necessity for an enlarge-ment of the schools established for their benefit. The fun& now available for such purposes are not in any manner commensurate with their requirements. The establishment of a school for the Northern Cheyenne on the TongueRiver Reservation, in Montana, hrts been necessarily postponed, aa no funds have been available. There is a great demand for ade-quate educational facilities for these Indians. The unhealthy condition of the Blackfeet school, Montana, due to its unsanitary location, should be remedied at an early date. Plans have been prepared for its removal to a good site, but want of funds has prevented any action. The large nonreservation school at Fort Shaw, Mont., requires extensive additions and improvements to fit it for the varied industries taught at such schools. The plant consists of the buildings of an aban-doned military post, and as most of the structures are of adobe they will require a considerable expenditure to properly adapt them. Owing to certain difficultie.3 connected with the site, no detinite steps have been taken with reference to the new school proposed for the Fort Hall Indians in Idaho. This will he done during the year. The Indian appropriation act for the fiscal year 1902 contains the following item: For erecting, constructing, and completing suitable school buildings for an Indian industrial soh001 at or near the city of Mandan, in the State of North Dakota, npon lands to be donated to the Government for that purpose, of not less than one hundred and sixty mres in extent, and of such character and in such location sa shall be deemed by the Secretary of the Interior to be most suitable for the purpose, and npon plans and specifications to he approved by the Secretary of the Interior, fifty thouaand dollars. A number of sites have been offered, and upon the determination of the most available one work will be begun on this plant. It is not expected, however, that the school can be opened until September 1, 1902. |