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Show , REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 81 Institute held in Boston this summer. They were thus brought in contact with teachers and employees of the regular Indian school service, and the intercourse was mutually beneficial. White children in Indian Territory.-While not under the control of the Interior Department, either directly or indirectly, the subject of schools for white children in the Territory is one of too much import-ance to be omitted. A proper public school system will redound to the best interest of the lndians, and therefore the Department has urged for years past that some legislation should be had which will provide for it. Within the next three years, under the agreements, tribal govern-ments must cease, their affairs be settled up, and the tribal funds be distributed pro rata. What is to become of the children of the red man will be a serious problem. Under present laws, public schools can be organized only in incorporated cities and towns. For the rum1 districts and many towns will an adequate public school system be organized for Indians, and whites, when many holdings can not be taxed? With tribal governments extinguished, money distributed to the Indians per capita, from what source will revenue be derived to sup-port Indian schools 8 These nations are rich now, but whether they will be ten years from to-day is another matter. Will they be permitted to dispose of their wealth and not provide an adequate school fund for their children8 Shall Congress, out of the public purse, begin the approprirrtion of money for the red children of the Territory, as it has for tbose of other tribes? Will a new burden be imposed upon the 1 people of the future, when at present a preventive may be found? These are serious questions. The status of the thousands of negro children is equally important. They are now in separate schools in the Cherokee and Creek nations, but the Choctaw and Chickasaw do not permit them to share in their school fund, with the result that these freedmen are growing up in ignorance, with all of its entailed consequences of crime and pauperism. Denominational uchoo1s.-These institutions, conducted by churches, missionary societies, and benevolent organizations, are excellent cen-ters of civilization and usefulness. They are the remains of those wbich in former years practically conducted all the educational inter-ests of the several nations. 9423-03--6 |
