OCR Text |
Show transfer of these children to the most convenient boarding sehool. After three or four years at a reservation school a list of those whose condition and capacity warrant further training should be prepared by the superintendent, and these should be promoted to a nonreser-vation school. A paper read by one of the superintendents at the meeting of the 1)epartment of Indian Education at Detroit contained the informa-tion that as many as eight schools have had representatives on his reservation looking for pupils. Much valuable time and money are lost in this way. Besides, a person collecting children hurriedly and promiscuously in this manner is unable to judge of the mental, moral, and physical fitness of the pupil for transfer. Great injustice may thus be done to the child, if physically unfit for transfer, and to the receivinrc school. if morally deficient. This @omisc&ur rraus~erring for the purpose of keeping school^ filled to their cupaeity sllo~lldn ot ht. tolerntetl, but tho transfer shouW be mado in a svstemnric matlner, which will 1,rovc of tho greatest benefit to the schools and to the pupils. OUTING- SYSTEM. Much good has resulted from the introduction of the Carllsle outing system at a number of the Indian schools, and I respectfully recom-mend that it be extended to all schools where the conditions are favorable. By this system is meant the plan originated by Col. R. H. Pratt, by which students spend a portion of each year in selected white families under the supervision of the school, receiving compensation for their services, thus gaining experience in practical self-support and receiving an introduction into civilimd life not otherwise attainable. They thus acquire a command of the English language, a knowledge of family life, of busineils methods, and of farming, and also a con-sciousness of being able to make a living in a civilized community. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. Industrial training for the Indian boy and girl is of prime impor-tance. While not neglecting the literary branches, the Indians must be taught a proper respect for manual labor. In order that they may become self-supporting citizens as speedily as possible, the boys are taught agriculture, dairying, stock raising, and the useful trades, and the girls laundering, cooking, sewing, dairying, and housekeeping. As the Government is giving to each Indian an allotment, and as it is through agriculture that the great-majority of Indians as well as whites must attain their independence, it is necessary that this train-ing be given in order that an Indian youth may be able to culti~ate his land, build farm buildings and fences, shoe his horses, mend his implements, and make other necessary repairs. SANITATION. l'his subject, of vibl importance to the Indian, is receiving dne attention. Necessary changes are being made in the 014 buildings to improve the sanitary features, and in the erection of new buildings 8593-01-27 |