| OCR Text |
Show The pro rata basis may be made- somewhat clearer, perhaps, by an hypothetical illustration of this sort: The interest on the Osage fund annually Is ---..-.._--..-$4-16.,3.71- -------- Before fixing the rate deduct- For Government schools, say .__.--._-.__$29-,000 -.--.--...--- For other legitimate and necessam charges against said interest, say. -----.--.-.._.-_-..-3.4.0,.0-00- ---.----...--- - 369,M)O Balance for contract schools, say .--._-.-_-_---47.,3-71- .--------.-- There are approximately 1,895 Osage Indians who may be con-strued to own or have a ratable share in this balance, which would give for each Osage about $24.80. Therefore the rate per capita for each pupil carried under the contract would be $24.99 per annum. In the case hypothetically stated as to Osages, it is construed that the Osages as a nation are obligated to furnish educational facilities to all the children of the nation after the analogy of our public school system, where all the taxpayers contribute to the support of the schools free to everybody's children. If any taxpayer prefers not to avail himself of the privileges of these schools provided at the gen-eral expense, he is at liberty to send his children to private schools, religious or otherwise, hut public policy forbids any deduction from his school tax on that account. So in this case, after proper deduc-tion for regular nonsectarian Government schools, the balance of a fund can be construed only as belonging to all the Indians; where-fore it seems that the pro rata share which any Indian has a right to dispose of for sectarian education must be calculated on the basis of all the Indians sharing in that balance. (10) The present form of contract is used, modified so as to meet the changes necessary. (11) Contract: are made with the parties indicated by the Indian signers of the petitions. (12) The average attendance at the school is the basis of payment, calculated on the attendance of the children of petitioners and of those pupils whose friends, having signed the petition, are willing that such children shall be so counted as against their pro rata share. (13) The usual quarterly reports of attendance on contract schools must give : Names of pupils, opposite each of which shall appear the name of the parent or guardian who signed the petition; Names of pupils, opposite each of which shall appear the name of the friend who signed the petition and wishes such pupil to have the benefit of his pro rata share; Names of other pupils whose guardians or parents did not sign the petition. |
