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Show with bright prospect@ and with a corps of superintendents and teachers at least 50 per cent better than had been employed in previous yearn. The school work moved along nicely and harmoniously until the Choctaw council met in October last, when the politicians, who had heretofore manipulated the schools in their own personal interests, protested against Government control of their schools. Notwithstanding this protest and the threat@ of their politicians to break down our schools, the schools are progressing nicely, and I have received many letters from Choctaw parents expressing the hope that we may not relinquish control of their schools. I desire toemphasize the h t th at the attendance of pupils in all the Choctaw academies is better, the educational training is better, while the cost of maintaining these schools is less than when they were controlled by their own authorities. In the natural course of events these children must soon he thrown upon their own resources, will soon become American citizens, and it is imoerativelv uecesaarv I that they Ix. given that thon,ugh e<lucarior~atln lining tllar i* nccrsary v, prepare rLrnl L,r this new life arrd uro?vertive eitirenshir,. Vnder Clloctau. I'lnrwzztntwt it is impossiMe for the children to receive thorough training, and the interests of these children demand that the Government retain control of their schools. Inspector Wright says that both he and Superintindent Benedict have received many expressions of approval of the action of the Gov-ernment in assuming charge of these schools, and none except iuter-ested politicians have given contrary opinions. Continuing, he says: If submitted to a vote of the people, I have no hesitancy in expressing the belief that a large majority would he in favor of the Government control. After the adjournment of the council above referred to, school mat-ters became comparatively quiet. The academies have had a larger attendance during the year, and more competent employees, while the cost of maintenance has been materially reduced. In regard to industrial training Superintendent Benedict says: We introduced some work along the line of manna1 training and domestic science, although we were hampered by the lack of the necessary tools and appliances. At first the pupils were not inclined to look with favor upon this departure from their accustomed routine, and declared that they did not come to school to work. Before the year closed, however, many of the boys were proud of the various articles of fur-niture made by their own hands, such as tables, picture frames, stools, etc., while the girl8 at the cloae of school made a very creditable exhibit of their fine needle-work. There were conducted 6 boarding schools and 110 neighborhood schools in the Choctaw Nation. They were opened on September 1, 1899, and closed May 31, 1900. Sickness, inclement weather, indiffer-ence of parents, and distance from the day schools interfered with the attendance, but, considering these difficulties, as good progress was made as could be expected. |
