| OCR Text |
Show 8 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. In pursuance of such authority a number of reservations have been placed under the control of a bonded school superintendent, and in every case the results have been emiuently satisfactory to this office. The expense of maintaining such a reservatio~li s less, in that the prin-cipal school and agency employees are combined, while the resultant benefit to the school md other educational interests of the reservation are greater. This course of action, however desirable, can only be undertaken and carried to a successful conclusiou at those agencies where conditions are favorable, there being at the present time many which now, aud will for some time in the future, require the undivided attention of the agent and the continuance of the present system. VARIETIES OF INDIAN SCHOOLS. Indian education is administered tbrough the medium of nonreserva-tion boarding schools, reservation boardiug schools, reservation day schools, independent day schools, State and territorial public schools, coutract boarding and day schools, and mission schools. The first. four classes are strictly Government school^, iu which the Government has absolute control as to plants, methods, subsistence, and mana.ge-ment. Supervisory and other necessary authority is maintained over those public schools in which cuniracts are made for the education of Indian pupils. Denominational and other schools with which agree-ments are made for the education and maintenance of so many pupils at a fixed rate p r capita are called ('contract schools." Missiou schools are conducted by various churches and philanthropic organizations upon or near the different reservations. In all these ditfereut classes of school@e, xcept those nuder strictly Governmental control, this office has no authority to appoint teachers or other employees, but can require the dismissal of tl~osew ho may be morally or mentally inefficient for undertaking the care of the Indian pupils committed to their charge. NONBESERVATION SCHOOLS. The largest schools devoted to the instruction of Indian youth are located off the Government reservations. The majority are supported from special appropriatious made by Congress, whose liberality has contributed to their success to such a degree that in many instances they have been thoroughly equipped for the literary and industrial traiuing of the children committed to their care. There were conducted during the past year twenty-five schools of this class, which number remains the same as that of last year, by reason of the discontinuance of the Clontarf school, Minnesota, and the establishment of oneat Rapid City, 8. Dak. The energy and cooperation of superintendents and agents have resulted in a gratifying increase of 705 in enrollment and 657 in average attendance as compared with the previous year. In filling these schools it has been deemed a wise policy to do so, as far as possible, by transfers from the reservation boarding and day |
