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Show REPORT OF THE COMMIBHIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 111 local trustee does not have a noncitizen friend who wishes the appointment." Antiquated books are furnished by the superin-tendent at $25 per annum to each school. The approximate cost of the neighborhood schools is $36,115, or an average cost of $93.54 per pupil, children attending these schools being allowed $8 per month for board. AS an illustration of the financial methods adopted, it is reported that this $8 is paid in duebills or scrip on the nation. The owner of the scrip, if poor, is compelled to diicount it at the stores for the necessaries of life at from 25 to 50 per cent. These evidences of indebtedness are subsequently presented to the auditing committee of the nation's legislature at its next assembling, to be passed upon; if allowed, a warrant is issued therefor, which, unless held by a favored one, is subject to further discount at the pleasure of the banks or money lenders. There were seventeen of these neighborhood schools operated dur-ing the year. Five boarding schools, with an enrollment of 346 pupils, cost the nation $57,115. These are supported under five-year contracts with the superintendents, and the supervisor for the nation says: "Of the five superintendents only two are competent to teach the common school branches." Under the terms of the contract the superintendent receives a stipulated sum per annnmfor the board, tuition, medical atteu-tion, and maintenance of pupils, based upon a specified number, without regard to the average attendance. This opens wide the door for fraud and malfeasance on the part of those so inclined. The authority of the superintendent is paramount in all appointments of his employees, and frequently nepotism prevails to an alarming extent. Sanitary conditions are entirely neglected, but it is remarked that some of these superintendents are well-meaning men who do the best they can for the children, while others are unfit morally and educationally for the positions they hold. Supervisor Simpson reports that, while he is unable to get accurate data concerning expenditures for schools, yet he is informed that the outatanding warrant indebtedness of this nation is between $95,000 and $110,000; that the Chickasaw superintendent bas issued certificates during the year to 175 Chickasaw children to attend noncitizen schools in the nation, each of which would be entitled to $8 to $14 per month, ap~roximating$16,800; for support of 5 academies, $57,115; for 17 neighborhood schools, $36,115; or a total expense for schools for the year of $110,030, which it has since been discovered will exceed their revenues available. In consequence, this nation has already inaugurated steps looking to securing a portion if not all of the coal and asphalt royalties now in the Treasury of the United States for the purpose of liquidating this outstanding indebtedness for schools. They are seeking in this indi- |
