The Evening critic., 1882-05-15
MAKING INDIANS GOOD,
Senators, Representatives and 9th
ers visit the Carlisle CPa.) Train

Senators. Representatives and Oth-
ers visit the Carlisle OPa.) Train
ing-School.
On Saturday morning last, at o'clock,
party consisting Of upward OF nifty Senators,
Representatives. and other gentlemen, with
their ladies, left Washington over tho Dalti-
more 4 Potomac for tour OF inspection OF
the Indian trainingschool at the Carlisle (Pa.)
Barracks. The train reached Carlisle at 10 :25
y. m. II rnincd almost necessarily during tho
entire day, but Captain II. II. Pratt, U. s. A.,
superintendent OF the school, met the party at
the depot and they were escorted to the Bar
racks-a mile dstant-in carriages.
The visitors, Upon Arrival, were
ScreDaded
by brass band composed OF the Indian pu-
pils-a dozen boys, from 10 TO 30 years Of age.
They produced music that soothed the breasts,
not only OF the savages, but the civilized bar
barians who mako laws at the Nations Capi-
tal. delicious repast was served tho sOlons
at the residence OF the genial Superintendent
after which the schools were visited. Tho
Carlisle Barracks are formed like all other
barracks-a hollow square, with all tho build
ings facing. The buildings are nearly all OF
two-storics, with balconies on all sides, q IA
Southern. The buildings are In good repair,
nicely painted, and are fresh and clean In
one of the largest and best buildings are the
different educational dcpartments-nine In
all.
The Character of the Pupils
would do credit TO the foremost educational In
stitution of the country. Tho boys predoml-
nate In number and range In ages from six 10
twenty years, the average being about fifteen.
The school has only been in operation about
two years and a half. There arc about $50
pupils there. AS the different departments
were visited the progress OF the classes was
demonstrated by the teachers. Some OF tho
scholars who were taken from the reservations
two years ago and were then unable to speak
a word of the English language, not only talk
the language fluently now, but have advanced
as far as fractions and percentage in arithmo-
a 1fts.. t.,t t.I n.
studying geography, write n beautiful hand,
draw nicely and many Of them have n consid-
cradle knowledge OF music. The males and
females are taught In separate rooms. That
Indians Have Wonderful Memories
was demonstrated in several instances. The
examples the older pupils work In arithmetic
Is wonderful, and they draw maps on the
blackboards with an accuracy almost incredi-
BILE from memory, and to the visitors explained
them with great Intelligence. Truly, the
teachers at the Carlisle Barracks are doing
wonders with the little savages. True.the pupils
are mostly children Of the chiefs and rulers
Of the leading tribes, and represent the higher
order Of Indian blood and intelligence; but
they all are adopts at the accomplishments of
civilization In all Its branches.
The Industrial Department
at the Barracks represents the leading indus
tries-harness making, tinware, blacksmith
baking, printing and laundering. The chill
dren attend school a half day and work at the
trades half day. Some branches Of the In
sides furnishing the pupils with clothing, etc.
The trades are the most practical ones, and
are superintended by skilled mechanics. The
boys learn very rapidly, rs also the girls, who
are taught needlework, housekeeping, laun-
dering, etc. The workshops are all In good
shape, but the Government has an elegant
chance there to expend q little more where 1t
will do great good and make heavy returns.
gymnasium and library afford the scholars
amusement, and there Is q chapel on the
grounds where regular religious services are
held.
Some Farming is Carried On,
farm containing something over one hun.
dred acres, adjacent the,barracks, being rented
at an enormously high figure. 1t should be
owned by the Government.
nected with the barracks, on which are many
buildings, some OF them new. Everything is
kept scrupulously clean and everything indi-
Gates industry and good management.
Before Congress is bill appropriating
about 100000 for this institution. Phere is
no doubt that those Senators and members
who visited the school on Saturday will sup
port the bill with hearty good Will. There
should be more Of these schools. 1t is the
cheapest way Of making good Indians, cheaper
than Secretary Teller's way-of sending them
to the happy hunting grounds.
At 80 p. m. the visitors left Carlisle and
reached Washington tS:47. Among
The ExcursfOnists
were Senators ingalls,, Dawes, Hoar Slater,
Harrison, Williams; Representatives Haskell,
Spaulding, Rice, Hooker, Deering, Blanchard;
Colonel stephenson and Frank II. Gushing, Of
tno pHiithoouidu 4uStlbuliOls Will Two Lunl
chiefs; the Hon. Mr.. Eaton, Commissioner of
Education; Major Powell, Chief Of the Geo.
logical Survey; MI. Morris, OF Nebraska; Ed.
and Senate Indian Affairs Committees; ex-
Governor Allen White, of the Choctaw Nation,
Indian Territory; Pleasant Porter, president
Of the Creek Council; M. W. Reynolds C'Kick
ing Bird y, of the Topeka Commonwealth,
Major Whittlesey, indian Peace Commits.
sioner; Henry Randall Waite, of the Census
Bureau: Mrs. Evans, of Washington; Mrs. ex
Governor Crawford, OF Kansas; Miss Fletcher,
teacher, Sioux Nation; Colonel Irving, Assist
ant Doorkeeper or the House; Miss Alice NJ
Robinson, missionary to the Creek Nation, and
CRITIC editor. Most Of the gentlemen were
accompanied by their wives. The trip was
made under the direction of the Committees
| ON Indian Affairs OF the Senate and House OF
Representatives.