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Show 00MMIS8IONElZ OF ' INDIAN AFFAIRS. 33 strengthen him withhis own me. Necessity if not justice has'decreed tht the Indian must live, for years at least, on these western reserva-tions and allotments, and he should not get out of touch with his kindred. For several years these reports have emphasized the necessity for curtailment of the number of nonreservation schools. The best should be retained, but there should be an early diminution of the numtjer. Sufticient day and boarding schools should be established oli the reser-vations or near the homes of the Indians to carry civilization to their doors. Nonreservation schools should b e limited to pupils from these schools. Climatic and geographical consideration4 should be given all transfers. The natural aptitude and health of each pupil should be carefully investigated, and the iinhealthy and dullard he rejected. To carry out these views successfully seems almost impossi-ble with the present number of uonreservation schools, scrambling in many instances for pupils. Some schools have even gone to Maine and South Carolina for pupils from tribes long since passed from the control of the Government. Others endeavor to secure the so-called "white Indians," whose parents have broken loose from tribal control and are living as average whites in civilized communities. The nonresemation school, properly located and with adequate and e5cient workers, does excellent work. Such a school is well adapted to complete the training of reservation-school graduates and to impart valuable trade and agricultural instruction. The few should be fos-tered rather than to dissipate the energies of the Government upon a large number, as is done at present. If only the larger nonrcserva-tion schools were retained, each could exercise greater care in the selection of material, and thus return a class of educated boys and girls to their allotments who will reflect credit upon the Government's efforts and expenditures. Health and oivi1ization.-When a barbarous nation takes on the habiliments of civilization it too often receives at the same time its cerements. Civilization is not an unmixed blessing. It carries with it grave responsibilities and some undesirable tendencies. The Indian, while being fitted for citizenship, is absorbing vices as well as virtues, and weakness as well as strength. This is especially true in relation to his physical well-being. In order that data for comparisou might be obtained on the impor-tant question of the health of Indiins, adults and pupils, a circular wae addressed to all schools and agencies caliing for reports from physi-cians on this subject. They were diiected to forward statistical infor-mation as to the present health record of the school, comparing it with previous years, and as far as possible with the health of adult Indians who have not attended school. Comparisons were also to be instituted between the health of adult Indiins and that of students returned from 10170--05--3 |