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Show 24 COMMI88IONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. the effect of placing this branch of the service on a higher and more business-like plane. It is true that the school teacher per se is not as a rule a business man; but fortunately out of the large corps of classified employees, superintendents, clerks, farmers, disciplinarians, eto., a wide field for selection is secured. Promotions to these responsible places are made from those who have practically demonstrated by years of service their knowledge of Indian work, and their ability and fitness for such executive positions. Civilization having swept in and around many of these reservations, and the Indians themselves having arrived at a degree of civilization which would warrant the taking away of the parental hand of the Government, it was a wise movement when conditions were ripe to abandon the agency and substitute the school system. A bonded superintendent, who will work for the Indians' independence and self-support and adopt business methods in the management of their affairs, is of inqalculable benefit to the scheme of Indian civilization. Especially is this true when a tribe is practically civilized and allotted, located in a prosperous section of the country, and has the benefits of good schools and churches. Under such conditions, it is folly for the Government to persist in treating such Indians as uncivilized and uneducated bands of savages. Economical administration within proper limits is always to be desired. Economy at a sacrifice of effective results is poor policy. While it is a matter of public note that the cost of living has materi-ally advanced in the last few years, there has been no increase in the cost of schools. Improved buildings, more appliances, and better lighting, water, and sewer systems have been secured. There has been no curtailment, hswever, in the expense of running Indian schools, where such curtailment would result in a loss of efficiency. Well-constructed school plants, better salaries, and elimination of political and personal favoritism have helped to secure a corps of employees which though not proportionally larger than in 1897, yet more effectively does the work. This is clearly illustrated in the fact that for 18,603 pupils that year in 234 Government schools, 2,049 employees were required, making the total cost of maintaining the schools, buildings, improvements, subsistence, and employees $3,200,000, or $172 per capita. For the past year, for 25,248 pupils in 253 schools, only 2,295 employees were engaged-a small increase of 246 people for the increase of 6,645 pupils and 19 schools, the total cost of maintenance, etc., being $4,222,950, or $167 per capita. Where creature comforts are unknown the incentive to work is absent. The savage works to satisfy the present cravings of hunger, the civilized man to provide comforts, pleasure, and power. Deprive the white race of the necessity for working and it will sink to the |