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Show I REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. ' XXTII l it to and kne,w nothing of erecting a fence, and thrashingmachines and 1 . horse-powers, after being used one seasorr, were left to the mercy of the elements ~intitlh e s~~cceediynega r's crop called attention to them, when, in many cases, as might have been anticipated, they would be found to be damagod beyond economical repair, and estima.tes for new ones wonld be submitted. %I order to correct this abuue, each agent has been instructed that he must use judgment and. diueretion in issuing implements; that, he must keep every article in a safe and sheltered place until actually needed for immediate nse by a deserviug Indian, one who will agree to take proper oare Of it when not in use; also that it is the dnty of the &gent and the employ6s to see to it that an Indian knows how to nae what ia given him, and that he has some means of taking proper care of it; and further, that if he neglects to do so, after having been warned and in tiisregard of the promises which should be required of him and embodied in his receipt for the article,it is the agent's duty to retake possessiodof such articles as are found lying around neglected, and to issue them to some .one more deserving, and thereafter to dis-criminate against the Indian who.disregards hia promise and,agency instructions. Agents have also been informed that they will be held responsible whenever such agricultural implements and supplies as reapers and mowers, fanning-mills, horse-powers, wagons and harness, plowq &., and also small mechanical tools, such as angers, axes, hatch-ets, hammers, &I;., are found scattered abont a reservation, notin use, but neglected and exposed to the weather. I understand that a great improvement in this respect has already taken plaae and its oontinuar~ce will be insiste$ npon. EDU(IATI0N. In the extract from my first report, alrea* quoted, I expressed very decidedly the idea that Indians shonld be taught the English language . only. From that position I belitjve, so far as I am adviaed, there is no dissent either among the law-makers the executive agents who are selkcted ~ ~ n dtehre law to d o the work. There is not im Inrliam pupil whose tuition and maintenance is paid for by the United states Gov-ernment who is permitted to study any other language than our own vernacular-the language of the greatest, most powerful, and enterpriu-ing nationalities beneath the sun. The English language as taught in , America is good enough for all her people of all races. , , It is yet undetermined what kinds of schools arc best adapted to prepare the Indian for self-support and that independence which will enable him to meet and successfully encounter the shrewd competition which henceforth every one will find contesting his path in the social, civic, and business affairs of life. I~idian educators themnelves differ : in opinion as to what kinds of Indian schools..are preferable, and the same difference exists among those in both houses of Oongress who . . A ! |
