New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-23

visited last week by IN official delegation from
Washington, for the purpose of ascertain
ing whether the results of the experiment
made there would Justify an attempt on
an enlarged scale to civilize and educate
boys and girls from the various Indian tribes;
a bill for the establishment of SIM
liar schools is before the House Com
mittee on Indian Affairs. The Com
mittee investigating the Kellogg-SDofford con-
test has afforded another example of Demo
cratic methods The Congressional Temper
ance Society has held its annual meeting.
YOUNG INDIANS AT SCHOOL.
VISIT OF INSPECTION TO THE INDIAN SCHOOL AT
CARLISLE, PE\N.-PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISH
MENT OF SIMILAR Observation-Disclosures IN
LEGATIONS.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRBUNE]
WAsHINGToN. Feb. % The Secretary of the In
terror several members of the House Committee on
Indian Affairs, and two members of the Board of
Indian Commissioners, accompanied by number of
invited guests, among whom was a correspondent of
THE TRIBUNE, paid a visit of inspection to the
Indian school at Carlisle Pennsylvania, last week.
This school began operations last October. with
1853 Indian pupils. With very few exceptions, none
of them knew at that time word of English or had
ever attended a school of any KIND. They were
dressed in skin garments and blankets. and were as
unused to the ways Of civil cation as so many fresh
ly captured wolves To-day they were clad in the
garments of civilization and wore them with APP
parent pride They maintain fair degree of tidi-
ness abon their persons and their quarters. and ac
complish wonders with the knife and fork.
Two have died since the establishment of the
school one. if not both, having contracted pulmo-
nary disease before leaving their Western homes.
a IL NJ. & IL.
content or homeslckness was manifested; but on
the contrary. when any expression manifested itself
on their stod fiat faces. it was usually one of
cheerful coutentment with their surroundings.
They are not of generally pleasing appearance,
having heavy sensual features and unintelligent
EXPRESSION of face. The boys are generally of good
form and carriage, hut the girls are disproportOn-
ately broad across the shoulders. appearing in
instances to be abnormaly developed in this re-
spect. They are remarkably amenable to discipline,
and appear to regard their teachers with respect, If
not with affection. Apparently they are apprecia'
tive Of the comforts which surround them, and give
willing obedience TO the wishes of their Instructors
Not much has been accomplished in the way of
school education, yet some rather remarkable eX-
hibitions Of the ability to learn were made IN The
presence of the visitors on Saturday. Long coll
umns of figures were correctly footed up the pro-
cess being carried on audby and by pupils selected
ot random from the most advanced class. To appre-
ciate the full significance Of this feat il should he
remembered that il WAS conducted in language OF
which they knew nothing a few months ago, and
that the Indian IN his native state finds the mystery
oi figures the most incomphcnsibc Of the cngnas
OF civilization.
In industrial teaching only beginning has been
made 4 few of the boys are learning to assist the
fIt. nI-.r, 81 o
are connected with the establishment. The boys
are reported 10 be tractabe aud willing, and the
p?omise is that they will become efficient mechan-
les The girls are being taught coarse needlcwork.
cooking and general homework, and manifest a
disposition to become expert in a short time
The in,taution is under the control Of two Army
officers Of experience i'm Indian matters and a corps
of lady teachers and mechanical instructors has
been secured TO assist them.
Theorists have been much divided in opinion re-
oardinQ the practicabity of this enterprise. 10
was said that in former similar enterprises the
health Of Indian youths broke down under the re-
straints of civilization and even IN those rare IN
stances when Indian boys have received school
ing in the East and have returned to their homes,
they have been received as rencgades or upstarts,
and have been forced to resume their savage ways;
40 that their learning has proved a disadvantage.
both objections. Great care taken IN the start
to accent IN the institution only such children as
appeared after medical test 10 have hardy constr
tutions and good general health. 4 greater number
of children have been taken from each of the tnbes
represented than eyer before left II for similar
purpose and these. being The sons and daughters Of
the chefs and hoad-men. will, it Is believed not
labor under the disadvantage Of being considered
TOO good to live among their relatives when they
return to them.
Much inrultv was AZ first experienced In secur-
ing the assent Of the parents 10 being represented
that the Indians really had no use Tor an education
Int a remarkable change has already begun 20 take
Mace I'm this respect, due M some measure 10 the
REPRESENTATIONS which have reached home of the
kind treatment and good fortune OF these Ihdlah
Lovs and girls; and letters have been received by
the Secretary II the Interior from several OF the
Indian agencies representing that the Indians are
now willing 10 send rs many cuiluren 10 achoOi a.
the Government will maze prov lAlun ior .
A bill u now pending before IN" lndlah commit
tee of the House, upon winch Governor round, a
member of the committee ana an enthusiastic
student Of the Indian question:, has made
favorable report, making provision .IOr
number of Indian schools similar 10 that AT
Carlisle; and it was IN this connection that the
visit of inspection was undertaken beSlues the
general advantages to result directly IRON ednca;
of Indian youths II IL represented IN support OF
the measure that the presence of number OF chll-
drcn from each ube NJ schools IN the last VIII be
most efficient guarantee OF good behavior on the
part of the tribes.
IL would seem. Judging from the meagre oppor-
tunItics for inspection offered by single VISIT To
Carlisle that the movement promises 10 oe an
eficctual aid, if not ultimately one OF the cnIet ln
struments In settling the yexed Indian problem. H.
however only part % that is which Is expected IS
actually realized, still u will have peen Il very
profitable venture both for the Indians ana ior inc
Government.
DEMOCRATIC UNFAIRNESS.
A REMARKABLE PROCEEDING IN Tue kELLoGd-
sPOFFoRD CAsE-AN INDEX OF THE TESTIMONY
THAT PROVES 10 rs MISLEADING AND PARTISAN
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
w,eur,crou goh 90 An extraordinary pro-