The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-24

EDUCATION AMONG THE lNDiANs.-The Cherokee
Advocate of the 10Th ult., published at Tahlequah,
in the Cherokee Nation, contains a tabular exhibit
of the number of children who attended the public
schools Of the. Nation in 1916. The total number Of
scholars who attended in the schools OF the several
districts, appears to be 655. OF these 4O2 were
males, and 253 females This is small number for
an entire "Nation," and would lead us to conclude
either that the Nation itsels very small, that the
practice OF sending children to school is very rarely
pursued; but we must take into consideration that
it is among the Indians and, therefore, speaks very
favorably.
The report OF the superintendent, however, Says
"The great rregularity oattendance of school by the
pupils, is cause OF general complaint among the teach
and shows the absence OF that interest on the part
Of parents and the exercise of authority which are e
sental to remedy this evil and TO awaken the minds Of
their children to the importance Of acquiring edu-
cation"
1t appears by the report, that $500 are annually
appropriated for these schools of which not SO
much as one half goes TO the payment Of teachers.
There must be something wrong in system, where
Boards, and Committees, and Superlntendents, and
printing, and much other useless paraphernalia,
swallow up the funds which ought to go for provid-
ing competent instructors.
Very little, however, can be expected from the
present system and course OF education adopted in
the public schools. Nothing is taught but the
commonest rudiments OF the commonest Eng
lish education, such as reading and writing.
But it is curious to see how these mere elements
not of learning, but Of mere mechanical know
ledge-are spun out, and 20 magniHed by changes
OF names, and magnificent epthets, as to appear to
those who know no better, wonderful amount
Of wonderful wisdom No man ever was scholar
under such an education.
We have, nevertheless, strong hopes that the sys-
TEN will be improved. 1t speaks well for the Che
rokees for their support of even the present system
Education among the Indians Is in its infancy; yet
there are great many very intelligent Cherokees.
M AGNETIc TELEGRApH-We understand that ar.
engagements are going forward with great vigor, to
have the Geographic communication between this
city and Boston completed at the earliest possible
moment. The line from Boston to New Haven is
nearly completed, and will be in working order be-
fore many days. BY the 10TH Of March, it is ex-
pected the line to Bridgeport, and probably to this
city, will be in operation, so that the news by the
next steamship to Boston, can be telegraphed
through, to Bridgeport, and conveyed from thence
to this city by express. The managers Of these
lines are deserving OF the gratitude of the public,
for their perseverance and energy in thus endeavor
ing to lay before them the early foreign news.
When all the lines are completed to New York,
the immense advantage that will be afforded, OF
news, will be of ncalculable benefit to
the public and to none more than the press particu
tlculary the stock.jobbng Holy Alliance portion,
who, no doubt, would have been pleased to have it
in operation week ago.