OCR Text |
Show There has been a gratifying increase in average attendance, as will be seen by reference to the statistics which appear in your report. The capacity of schools already established is greatly increased. The equipment of the larger training and agricultural schools has been greatly improved, and there has been no relaxation of efforts to give the Indian students m complete an equipment as possible-industrial and literary. The progress made by the Indian during the past ten or twelve years has been greater than during any similar period. He has not only advanced generally in civilization, but a large number of Indians bave acquired a working knowledge of various arts and industries suited to their capacity and environment, which is enabling them in a gradually increasmg measure to provide for their own maintenance and that of their families. The beneficial results of educational work amour the Indians are ap ;tent in the general improrrmeut of their conditizn, mental, moral, an$ Dhvaica~. This imnrorement has b ~ e n~ ~ e c i a lnlovt iceable durinn A - the decade. Twenty-five per cent mpre Indians are self-supporting now than ten years ago; more than tw?ce as many speak enough. English for ordi-urposes; wmparat~vel few are receiving rations, and these aye the aged, sick, and in I rm. Many more Indians are tilling their a much greater peroenta 7e are livin% i.n dustrial lives than formerly. There are no tribes who ly idle, an , in addition to farm-ing, large numbers of Indians have found employment in the various occnpat~ons reqnirbg manual skill or physical strength. They are engaged in lnmbenng, mlning, workin on railroads and steamboats, di% g ing irrigating ditcbes, etc., and t% o se who bave received the in ustrisl training of the lndian schools make good carpenters, black-smiths, painters, wheelwrights, shoemakers, etc. There has been eat improvement in the manner of dress. A great many more gdians wear citizen's clothes than did in 1890, and at a number of the agencies practically all the Indians are so clothed. It is gratifying to know that the time is not far distant when a majority of the Indians will be self-supporting and self-respecting citizens. In wnclusion,.permit me to state that the progress made in Indian school work dunng the past ear, especially in the agriculture1 line, has been very enwnragig. f also wuh to express my thanks to you for the cooperation and sympathetic support which have made the increased succass possible. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ESTELLER EEL Sq&ntendent ofIndian SCLIS. The COMMISEIONOFE BIN DIANA FFAIBB. 9 4 2 3 4 1 9 5 |