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Show SUMBfEIL INSTITUTES. The excellent influence upou the Indian school service of the five summer institutes held during the months of July and August, 1894, justified the office in arranging for a series of similar institutes during the summer of 1895. Three institutes were held under the personal direction of the superintendent of Indian schools, respectively at Sioux Oity, Iowa, July 1 to 6, inelusive; Tacoma, Wash., July 21 to 27, and El Reno, Okla., August 5 to 10. More than 500 employees of the Iudian school service and a number of missionaries among Indians, and other earnest ikiends of Indiau education, attended these gatherings. In the preparation of the institute programnles the superintendent of Indiau schools had laid stress upon the paramount importance of industrial training in Indian schools, upou the necessity of gradually preparing the respective States to take charge of the work of Indian education, and upon the importance of cons(dentious cooperation on the part of every school employee with the Government in its Indian policy. i n all these-directions t6e institutes achieved decided success^ Tie. papers presented throughout, being by persons of tried experience and judgment, were instructive and inspiring. The discussions were extended, free from every indication of acrimony, and thoroughly help-ful. Resolutions passed at the different meetings are characterized by a spirit of wise moderation, coupled with great insight into the needs of the Iudian school work, and the comments of the press, which took a deep interest in the proceedings, are distinguished by a healthful tone of sympathy with the efforts of the Government in behalf of the Indians. Attention is invited to a more extended account of these institutes contained in the report of the superintendent of Indian schools, which is herewith, page 337. INDIAN SCHOOL EXHIBIT AT ATLANTA. With the limited fund allowed it has seemed best to undertake in the India11 Office exhibit at the Cotton States and International Exposition to present only the educational side of the work of the Government among the Indians. This mas the course also pursucd at Chicago. It was believed that as to Iudisuhistory, ethnology, sooiology, linguistics, etc., a showing could much more satisfactorily and economnically be made by bureaus or institut,ions which give special attention to such matters; for the Indian Office finds its own hands full in trying to improve the present condition of the Indian, to protect him in his rights, and to look out, so far as practicable, for his future. Over fifty schools in eighteen States and territories were asked to furnish specimens of sohoolcoom and industrial work which would give a fair idea of the training afforded in the schools and. the profi-ciency of the pupils. Most of them responded with most creditable material for the exhibit. Some of the work sent was of a very high 6069 I A-2 |
