GENERAL CONDITION OF EDUCATION AMONG THE INDIANS.

At no time in the history of this country has there been more interest felt, or discussion provoked, over the condition of the aboriginal race, than at present. The policy of peas and honesty, which was inaugurated under the present administration, is no longer an expertment; it has become a well-defined plan of action, and everywhere produces marked restit of a beneficial character. The most warlike and predatory tribes, the hitherto unyielding nomads of the plains and mountains, are being brought into amicable relations. A la proportion have been gathered on suitable reservations, and, in spite of incidental dra backs and threatened outbreaks, seem to have fairly accepted the situation. Even the unre lenting Apache, who for two centuries has waged never-ceasing war on the dominant rate alike in our own territories and the border states of Mexico, begins to show signs of yild ing to the proffers of a just and merciful civilization. The establishment of Cochise, the Apache chief, with his followers, on a Government reservation in Arizona, is a sign of the most hopeful character. A break has been made in their traditions, and even though Cochise and band may themselves go back to their Ishmaelite existence, still the effort will be renewed and a second time more successfully. This wise and humane policy of peace and honesty, being placed beyond an experimental position, affords a desired opportunity ci again considering the educational conditions of the Indian race, as well as the means best fitted to make those conditions thoroughly serviceable in working out the problem of thei civilization to a permanent solution. As the several Indian tribes are now and likely te long remain under the direct guardianship of the General Government, the matter of previding a suitable scheme and means of education adapted to the necessities of this peculia people, is one which demands a careful review of the facts relative to the funds, schools, and experiments now in existence among the several tribes, and a candid consideration of the means of making these most useful, as weй as of the methods by which their future value may be increased. These facts may be suggestive of needed legislation. From the recet reports of the several officers of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as from those made by the board of Indian commissioners and other active friends of this new policy, the following facts, relating to the schools and educational agencies formed among the aboriginal tribes within the United States, have been collated:

THE INDIANS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.

As a matter of convenient reference, it has been deemed best to group together the severs tribes inclosed within certain geographical limits. The States of California, Nevada, srd Oregon, with the Territories of Washington and Alaska, being on the western slope of the great mountain system of this continent, fall most naturally into one division

TRIBES IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

A census taken in 1870 of the Indians within Washington Territory, under direction of Brevet Colonel Samuel Ross, United States Army, then acting as superintendent of Indian affairs, shows a total Indian population in that Territory as follows:

Colonel Ross also estimates that 5 per cent. must be added for absentee Indians, which will make the total 16,261. For this population, it is stated that there were in operation in 1870, but four schools; Yakima school being under control of Protestant missionaries, and that of the Tulalip Indians being under the famous Catholic missionary, Father Chirouse, and his assistants. The other two were agency and not mission schools. The number of teachers are reported to be, males, 7; females, 6; in all, 13. The number of scholars, as given, is, males, 65; females, 36; a total of but 101 pupils in a population of 12,794 treaty Indians. Other schools have since been organized and are now in operation.

Of Washington Indians, east of the Cascade Mountains, with whom no treaties have been made, it appears that they are not generally nomads, but farmers and fishermen.

The Spokanes till farms, own horses and cattle. They need instruction, and ask for it urgently A portion of this tribe are Catholics. They have no schools, but urge the Fathers by whom they are visited twice a year, to live permanently in their midst and teach them. The Protestant Spokanes also ask for missionaries and teachers. Another tribe, the Cali

pees, formerly had a Catholic mission among them. It was burned in 1854, and has not been rebuilt. They possess quite an advanced degree of civilization, owing to the instruction they received from the Fathers. Their chief urges the establishment of a school. The Colvilles are in the same condition, honest, industrious, urgent for more teachers, though there are two Catholic missions in their country-one occupied during the salmon-catching season and the other all the year. The Lakes, a small tribe of peaceable fishermen, want teachers and schools. Other tribes are suspicious of white influence, but all, when it is explained, ask for instruction and teachers for their children. There are no schools or missions established among them. Some of the tribes are visited annually by a Catholic Father. Nearly all the chiefs are anxious to have their boys learn trades and their people instructed in farming. The non-treaty tribes west of the Cascade Mountains are small in number. There are no schools or missionaries in their midst.

A commendable degree of activity and progress is reported among the treaty Indians. On the Puyallup reservation a new school-building was erected in 1870. A similar building was in process of construction at the Puyallup agency. It is noted as a sign of improvement here and in the Makah Indians, that a sufficient supply of vegetables was raised by the pupils for the use of the schools. At the Yakima agency the school has had only limited attendance. The agent believes that to make the school a success the children must be separated entirely from their parents and taken entire control of by the Government. The S'Kokomish Indians appear to be prejudiced against schools. Children who attend have, therefore, to be clothed and subsisted, yet the attendance is regular and the number increasing. This school should be, the agent advises, a contract school, which, requiring the lands attached to be cultivated, would give the children a double advantage-teach them farming as well as ordinary education. Forty children could be cared for. At Neah Bay an industrial school was organized in 1870. It had nineteen scholars, averaging twelve in regular attendance. Children work in the garden three hours daily. This was first obstinately opposed by the parents, but now meets their approval. The garden produced sufficient to supply the school. At the Tulalip agency and mission, the buildings are too small for the attendance. They are three, one being necessarily occupied by the Fathers. Thirty children live in the two others, the largest being but 18 by 24 feet. The appropriation is but $5,000 per year. The attendance could be greatly enlarged if further means and accommodations were provided. The school is on the industrial plan-the only one the agent declares can succeed among Indiaus. On the other reservation under the control of this agency there are no schools. Father Chirouse states, in his report for 1870, that, if the Government will furnish the means, his mission can educate and provide for 200 children. There is no other means of civilizing the Indians, he declares, but that of taking and training their children. The Lummi Indians send a small number of children to the Tulalip mission, but have no school on their own reservation. The Puyallup industrial school has under cultivation five acres. On the Chehalis reservation a school-building has been finished, and is now in use. The Quinaielt agency has a school with a dozen pupils in it. The children have been made orderly, industrious, and cleanly. Colonel Ross, the late superintendent for this Territory, thus tersely summed up his opinion on the Indian problem: "First, provide for the wants of the adults, and keep them peaceable; second, educate the children, and teach them useful industries." In this way they can be made self-supporting and individualized.

OREGON INDIANS.

The Indian population of Oregon is given at 10,975, distributed among six agencies, besides the scattered bands on the Columbia River. Mr. Meacham, superintendent of Indian affairs, declares that the idea that the Indians are the "wards" or children of the Government-that their wants are to be provided for as such, and not as aliens-their children cared for and trained-has done more "in one year to elevate the Indians in Oregon than all the cruel and inhuman regulations ever invented could accomplish in ten years." He recommends earnestly that manual-labor schools alone be organized at the several agencies, and that to do so the whole school fund belonging to each agency be consolidated and appropriated to the support of such schools." The condition of the educational work at the various agencies is thus noted: At Umatilla, with three tribes, numbering 837 souls on the reservation, and 785 not settled, there is but one school, having an attendance of about 20 scholars. It is under the direction of a Catholic priest, Father Vermeersch, who, though he states that the progress is good in reading and writing, does not think the general improvement as favorable as would be the case if the children were brought in earlier and kept from their parents. He urges a manual-labor school as the only one that meets the necessity. Under The policy of appointing active missionaries and others, attached to the several Christian organizations, the reverend Father has been appointed agent at the Warm Springs agency; an Indian teacher has been in charge, with an average attendance of 22 pupils. A new building and boarding-house was under contract, and is probably now in use. Industrial training and separation from their parents urged by agent and teacher. Grande Ronde agency there are two schools, one a manual-labor boarding-school, and the other for day-scholars. It it proposed to consolidate both on the industrial plan. The manual-labor school reported an average attendance of 14. An extensive garden is culti

At the

vated by the pupils. The day-school reported an average attendance of 10 scholars. No school is established at Alsea nor at the Klamath agencies.

CALIFORNIA INDIANS.

In this State additional steps have been taken to settle the Indians on reservations, & policy necessary in the preparation for civilized life. There are now four large reservations, the last being located by President Grant's orders at San Pasqual. The Indian population of the superintendency is given as 21,627 souls. At the Round Valley reservation, on which are 730 Indians, there is no school-house. A room was fitted up in 1870, and a lady teacher appointed. No regular school was established until the present year. At the Hoopa Valley agency a missionary clergyman of the Methodist Church has been appointed agent. He has six families, teachers, &c., residing at the agency. Day and Sabbath schools have been established, and are well attended. There are 975 Indians under its charge.

Seven years ago these Indians killed their agent. Five years ago they were at war with the whites. One year ago they were regarded as idle and worthless. Now they are on the high road to order and industry. Six new buildings have been erected and 500 acres of wheat harvested by their labor. At the Tule River farm, on which reside 232 Indians, no school exists. There are over 4,000 Indians who are not on any reservation or under agents' control. Of course, no schools exist among them. The California superintendency has in this respect been among the most illy provided. The agents say that the Indians, when spoken to on the subject, express a great desire to have their children at school. Industrial training is regarded by all as an essential condition of success. The new nonpolitical appointees will naturally strive to achieve success in such a direction.

THE NEVADA INDIANS.

This superintendency includes four Indian nations or tribes, numbering, it is estimated, 16,220 souls, without a school or mission among them. There are but two reservations in the State, and but little progress toward settlement or cultivation.

ALASKA MATTERS.

At the last session of the Forty-first Congress, an appropriation of $100,000 was made for "industrial and other schools among the Indian tribes not otherwise provided for." This amount was recommended by the board of Indian commissioners, with the expectation that a considerable proportion would be used in establishing free schools among the Alaska and Aleutian Indians. It does not appear that any steps have been taken for that purpose, the money being expended among other tribes. No effort has so far been made to educate these Indians, estimated as numbering more than seventy thousand souls. The discovery of gold induces the migrations of whites. The few trading operations are also gathering a large force of employés. There is great need of some practicable educational work in this Territory.

INDIANS OF THE MOUNTAIN TERRITORIES.

This designation includes the Territories of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Idaho, a region in which are located a large proportion of our wild Indian population, as well as some communities and tribes; like the Pueblos of New Mexico and the Moquis, Pimas, and Maricopas of Arizona.

The extent of the Indian population may be seen by the following statement:

Of Arizona the superintendent writes but little progress has been made, though the subject of schools has been frequently discussed. The Pimas and Maricopas seem anxious te secure the advantages of education for their children. The recommendations from all sources relative to this subject turn on the localizing of Indians on reservations, the previding for adults, separation of children from parents, and an industrial training to go hand in hand with ordinary studies.

*This includes the Pueblo or Village Indians. The wild Indians are estimated at 14,349,

THE UTAH SUPERINTENDENCY.

This presents the most meager of reports. "No schools have ever been established for benefit of any Indians" therein. It is rather a sad comment on the character of Mormonism, that though its leaders have always been worldly-wise enough to maintain peaceful relations with the aboriginal tribes in the Territory, they have made no efforts to either educate them or organize any ameliorative movements for their benefit. The estimated enumeration of the Utah Indians, (1870,) is as follows:

There is but one reservation in the Territory, that of the Uintah Valley, but lands are cultivated to a limited extent by bands other than those located thereon.

THE VILLAGE INDIANS.

Attention was turned during the last session of the Forty-first Congress to the condition of the Pueblo or Village Indians, in New Mexico, and the Indian Bureau appointed Governor W. F. M. Arny, a most intelligent friend of the Indians, as their agent, especially charging him with the work of organizing schools. He has been engaged at this during the past year. Governor Arny gives the following enumeration of wild tribes in New

Mexico:

Of the above, 4,745 are children, and, with the half-grown youths, who are counted among the warriors, there are probably 6,000 of school age.

In his report for the present year, Governor Arny gives the census of the Pueblos. Their population is 7,683 souls. Besides these the census of 1870, Table No. 2, gives 1,309 as the number of Indians enumerated among the whites, being those who have no tribal or other communal relations. In 1860 the Pueblos were counted with the white population, and were then set down at 10,507, which figures show a diminution during the last decade of 2,24 persons. This was, however, an overestimate. The Spanish records show that for a century or more past the Pueblo population was from seven to ten thousand. The Pueblos have not improved since the territory passed under our control.

Officials in charge of Indians in this superintendency urge the importance of farm-schools as well as of other industrial training. The late superintendent recommends that children be apprenticed after a certain age.

Governor Arny presents a favorable view of his work, showing what can be done by a really energetic and devoted man. There are in all twenty pueblos, most of them within a circle of sixty miles around Santa Fé. These Indians are descendants of the native Mexican population. They maintain their worship of the sun and believe in the reappearance of Montezuma, a traditional prophet or savior, personified under that name. Professing adherence to the Catholic church, the tie seems to have been an imposed, rather than an accepted one. Governor Arny found in one pueblo 160 families professing to be Protestants, though they appeared quite dull as to the meaning of the term. In the entire Pueblo population he reports but fifty persons able to read and write, and they adults. During the past year he has organized thirteen Pueblo schools. One of these answers for two villages. He has asked the Presbyterian board of foreign missions to send teachers to other points and has also solicited the aid of the Roman Catholic bishop of the Territory. Governor Arny asks that an appropriation of $10,000 be made to purchase apparatus, furniture, &c.; and that $5,000 be given 10 purchase seeds and tools, for experimental agriculture. With this amount he can stablish a school and farm in each village. He is satisfied, however, that this interesting people, who have always been friendly with and ready to serve us, cannot be prevented from retro

gression without a vigorous attempt to reach their children. He desires instruction to be given in English and Spanish, and asks the establishment of a system of industrial education. Such a plan would be, he urges, of incalculable benefit to the Indians, and would cost the Government but a small sum. He proposes the appropriation of $25,000 at once, and $10, for each of four succeeding years; the same to be used in the establishment of an industrial normal school and model farm. The orphan children, of whom there are 136 in his agency. with others that may be selected, to be trained, or the most intelligent of them, as teachers, He claims that after three years the institution could turn out thirty native teachers each year.

A school has been organized at the Navajoe agency, under charge of Miss Gaston, of the Presbyterian board of foreign missions. The average attendance is about thirty. The age asks for a farm-school, and says the Navajoes, being an industrious people, will take the children from the ordinary school in order to secure their services on the farms during seed and harvest times.

THE COLORADO SUPERINTENDENCY.

This has an Indian population of 7,300, divided between two agencies. Progress has been made in establishing missions among them, and a school at each agency has been organized The chief difficulty in making these successful is here, as elsewhere, the want of means to care for the scholars altogether, and to give them an industrial training.

WYOMING SUPERINTENDENCY.

This is unfortunately situated, so far as any definite control over, or the location of, the Indians that roam through it are concerned. The number of Indians within this superirtendency is probably estimated below the real total. The Territory is a sort of debatab! ground for the Sioux, Blackfeet, and Northern Cheyennes, tribes of a warlike character, an hitherto regarded as irreclaimable. Governor Campbell reports Shoshones as intelligent at well disposed, and anxious for schools. One is now under way. The number of scholars is not known. The Sioux bands of this Territory are those of the famous Red Cloud and his associate leaders of the Ogallallas. Red Cloud's opinion of education and those who possess it was forcibly expressed while in the Federal capital: “The whites, who are civilized ar educated, swindle me; and I am not hard to swindle, because I do not know how to re and write." While here his interpreter read and translated to him all that was said in the daily newspapers about his party. Some effort is being made to organize schools, but will little result as yet.

IDAHO SUPERINTENDENCY.

This contains one Indian tribe who present a most favorable illustration of the results Christian effort. Reference is made to the Nez Percés, who, under the wise training f Catholic Fathers, have almost become a model people. The superintendency contains the following Indian population:

The Nez Percés at Lapwai have a decent school, with an attendance of about 45 scholers The girls have been instructed in household duties, making of clothing, &c. The dithionty hitherto experienced is the same with all tribal schools not arranged as boarding and indus trial institutions. This is now obviated, as the Jesuit Fathers take entire control of the pupils. The Coeur d'Alenes have a Jesuit mission among them, and a school has beeu started during the past year.

THE MONTANA SUPERINTENDENCY,

This includes the Assinaboines, Flatheads, Gros Ventres, Blackfeet, Mountain and River Crows, Bannacks, and Shoshones, to the number of 19,335. 1 bey all are marked as having no schools in their midst, except that at the Jocko reservation, which is under control of the Jesuit Fathers. The school is doing well, and only needs some aid from the Government to be quite flourishng.

A review of the foregoing will show that among an Indian population of at least one bun dred thousand, there are not more than one in two hundred receiving any sort of instruction Yet one can hardly doubt when examining the proof that a great body of these children could be educated at schools specially organized to meet their limited needs.