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Show propriation of $20,000 for that purpose; and that for a period of eight years there was an almost steady increase in the appropriations for In-dian education, amounting to an average of 75 per cent. per annum. Forthe next five years the increase was at an average rate of 7 per cent. per annum. Had there been during the latter period an average increase of 20 per cent., the appropriation for 189U would hareexceeded the amount now asked for. What is proposed by the Indian Office now is to carry forward the work in the line of its historical development. The amount asked for for next year can all be used to good advantage without extravagance in enlarging and more fully eqoipping schools already in successful operation, and in planting others where there is urgent demand for them. Full report6 of each agency of the present condition and needs of the school are being received and carefully tabulated ; plans of build-ings are being prepared, and sites selected, and everything will be in readiness, as soon as the money asked for is placed at the control of the Indian Office, to move forward at every point intelligently and conservatively. It will be seen that there is nothiug radically new, nothing experi-mental nor theoretical, and that the present plans of the Indian Office contemplate only the putting into more systematic and organic fbrm, and pressing with more vigor the mork in whioh the Government has been earnesely engaged for the past thirteen years, with a view of oarrying forward as rapidly as possible to its final consummation that scheme of public education which during these years has been gradu-ally unfolding itself. That the time is fully ripe for this advanced movement must be evi-dent to every intelligent observer of the trend of events connected with. the condition of the Indians. Practicaily all the land in this vast re- ' gion known as the United States, from ocean to ocean a,gain, has now been organized into States or Territories. The Indian populations are surrmnded everywhere by white populations, and are destined inevi-tably, at no distanz day, either to be overpowered or to be assimilated into the nationa1,life. The most feasible, and indeed it seems not too strong to say the only, means by mhich they can' beprepared for Ameri-can citizenship and assimilation into the national life is through the agency of some such scheme of public educatiol~a s that which has been outlined, and upon whioh the Government, through the Indian Office, is busily at work. The welfare of the Iudians, the peace and prosperity of the white people, and the honor of the nation are all at stake, and ought to constrain every lover of justice, every patriot, and every phi-lanthropist, to join in promoting any worthy plan that will reach the desired end. This great nation, strong, wealthy, aggressive, can signalize its spirit . of.fairness, justice, and philanthropy in no better way, perhaps, than 9592 I N D ~ |