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Show BEPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AWFAIBB. 33 Although by the Territorial law the Pueblo lands were exempted from taxation, and this same exemption is provided in the constitu-tion of New Mexico, the decision of Judge Pope on July 22, 1912 (198, Fed. Rep., 539), holds that the separate provisions of the State con-stitution which contain the compact with the United States that the Pueblo lands are Indian country is unconstitutional, and there-fore the lands are subject to taxation and to sale for nonpayment of taxes, in accordance with the provisions of the State law. OPPOSITION OF PUEBLOS TO EDUCATION. The Federal Government has made appropriations from time to time to maintainschools among the Pueslo Indians; nevertheless, the Indians have refused to lease buildings for school purposes in their villages, in some instances making it necessary for the Government to institute condemnation proceedings to procure land on which to erect permanent day-school plants. Out of 18 pueblos under Albu-querque and Santa Fe schools, 13 sites have been procured in this manner. There was also opposition to the erecting of school buildings among the Pueblo Indians. At San Doming0 the Indians at one time showed some actual resistance to employees undertaking to build a school-house. This resistance, however, was insignificant and the constmc-tion work has proceeded without any interruption, although the In-dians showed considerable resentment. If handled discreetly and tactfully, it is believed the opposition will soon disappear and the advantages of having in their midst a trained teacher and a well-equipped day-school plant will be recognized by the Indians. ' The threatened taxation of their lands and their utter inability to meet such payments have awakened the Pueblo Indiana to the need of an adjustment to the conditions which surround them, and many of them are now williig and anxious to receive the aid of the Gov-ernment, so that their children may have opportunity to adopt the customs of white communities which they have i-efused for them-wlves. The I n d i i are generally favorable to education and anxious to enroll their children in school. Some of the Hopis, however, refused to enroll their children. They were put into school, against bhe wish of the parents, and the superintendent waa authorized to retain them in his boarding school during the summer vacation unlm the parents would agree to return them to school at the opening in Sep tember, 1913. 21718--1- |