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Show The fo~dwingta ble gives a tabulated statement concerning the public schools enrolling Indians since 1891: TABLEN o. 4.-N~mber p f diatrict publia achooZ8, ahowing number of pnpila ~t l t 7~1~tfCw- d, enrollmeat, and averlags attendenoe from 1891 to 1899. I Rateper cent of Number Contract .Enmll- Aver a aver* s YW. P n n m w 7 -a,.%. aohmla. ofpnph mce. mce t, enroll--- me nt. Par cent. 4 Rj 166 56- 123 58+ 101 M- 192 80 + 294 71 + 195 6'2- 177 57- 167 51+ An inspection of the above table demonstrates that after nine years1 trial the results attained by these schools do not seem commensurate with the expenditure. It was believed that an allowance of $10 per capita per quarter for such average attendance as could be obtained would have induced greater effort to secure these pupils. The great difficulty experienced by agents on reservations in maintaining a good attendance seems emphasized at these schools. Another feature of these contracts arises from the disinclination of thefull bloods to with-stand the not always silent race prejudice often prevailing in the neigh-borhood of these district schools, and the result has been that in the majority of instances the benefits are conferred upon the children of mixed bloods, who are or should be entitled to participate in the State funds for education. Theoretically the placing of Indian youth in the public schooli, where they come in contact with white children, is a most admirable expedient for breaking down prejudices on both sides and civilizing the Indian, but the above table shows that it is not an unqnalified success. The full blood, who needs such contact most, is rarely secured. Certain pupils enrolled in nonreservation schools attend public schools. The training at the Government school fits them for appreciating the benefits of this class of instruction, and the difticnlties generally presented are made largely to disappear. It is clearly apparent, therefore, that the groundwork at least of Indian education must be laid under Government auspices and control. |