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Show 20 EEPOIcr OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIA?? AFFAIRS. Without this aid many districts would have been powerless to main-kain schools for a longer period then two or three months; with it, over 1,200 schools have been conducted for the usual term in rural districts. In all cases an effort was made to use the fund in places where, for want of sufficient taxable property, the people were un-able fairly to maintain free schools. The tribal boarding schools have had a progressive year. An un-usually large attendance was reported, and the percentage of full bloods enrolled reached a high mark, indicating that these people are awakening to the advantages offered. The boarding schools of the Cherokee Nation have been reduced by one, because of the purchase by the State of the female seminary at Talequah, a transfer which has resulted in the conversion of the Cherokee Male Seminary into a coeducational school. (For details see Table 11.) DISPOSITION OF SCHOOLS. The act of Congress approved March 3, 1909, made a grant to the several States as follows: Wnguitch School, Orton, Utah, to the State of Utah. Morris School (nomesewation), Minnesota, to the State of Minnesota. Chamberlain, South Dakota, to the State of South Dakota. Fort Lewis, Colorado, and Gmnd Junction, Colorado, to the State of Colorado. In each case the provisions under which the grant may be made are that the institution-of learning shall be maintained; "that Indian pupils shall at all times be admitted to such school free df charge for tuition and on terms of equality with white pupils;" and "that this grant shall be effected at any time before July 1, 1910, if, before that date, the governor of the.State * * * .fles an acceptance thereof with the Secretary of the Interior, accepting for State said property upon the terms and conditions herein prescribed." The governors of Utah and Minnesota promptly signified their acceptance, and preparations are in .process for the transfer of the property. The governor of South Dakota declined the offer of the Chamberlain School. In this case a provision was made for the sale of the plant, as follows: If said property is not accepted by the State of South Dakota, as hereinbefore provided, the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to dispose of and convey the real estate, buildings, and fixtures of the Chamberlain School for a price not lee8 &an twenty-nix thousand dollars, upon condition that the pmperty shall continue to be maintained and operated as an educational institution, and that the children of Indian parents shall have the same privilege of education aa white children, hut with tuition free: Provided, That the Cozh-oner of Indian Affaim is authorized and.direxted to dispose, by sale or transfer to other schools, of such pmperty as is not covered by the transfer of the realty, buildings, and fixtures. |