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Show 44 REPORT OB THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. SCHOOL AI'PROPKIATIONS. The following table shows the amounts appropriated for Indian school purposes through a, series of years: m.WO SO. WO m.WO 75, WO 75.W 185 WO 487'2W 67632W 892 8W I~w'o~s 1'2ll'416 1'179(916 1:598:015 The amount appropriated for the year may appear large, but it is insignificant compared with the value of the lands of these people which have been purchased or obtained from them by treaties. It is a small sum compared with the cost of the Indian wars of the United States and with what it would cost to hold them as semiprisoners upon reser-vations and feed them for an indefinite term of years. Humanity and economical considerations demand these appropriations, so that all the Indians may be educated to become self-supporting producers instead of idle consumers and mischief-makers. That the amounts set aside have been judiciously expended is evident from the results obtained and the per capita cost of maintenance. The expenditures on behalf of Indian schools will exhibit a most favorable showing when compared with those of similar white institutions, such as industrial boarding and reform schools where the pupils and inmates are housed, fed, clothed, cared for in sickness and health and taught the elementary literary branches and a trade. The annual addition of 1,000 pupils requires a moderate increase each year in the total amounts appropriated for school purposes. INDIAN SCHOOL SERVICE INSTITUTES. The association of Indian school employees at the annual institutes is beneficial. Schools as a rnle are located far from the centers of civilization and thought, and therefore these gatherings are for the purpose of bringing together those engaged in a similar work in order that notes may be compared upon the best means of effecting the civilization of the Indian. Different localities represent different types of Indians and dilferent theories of management. These meet- |