National Republican., 1883-05-25
1Np1AN SCHOOLS.

Talk with Secretary Teller About the
Recent Commencement st csrlisle-Iiis
Views ON Indian Civilization.
A REPUBLICAN reporter yesterday inter-
viewed Secretary Teller on the subject Of
Indian schools. Mr.. Teller had been to the
commencement at Carlisle and returned
Wednesday night.
"were the exercises satisfactory% asked
the reporter.
"very,o answered tho secretary. "The
commission was also as we'll pleased as my
self. Tho progress made by the pupils was
both great and thorough"
"Thcse schools solve the problem whether
the Indian is capable of civilization, then ~
ayes. That is not an open question any
more. If one-half Of the Indian children
were placed at such schools, the question
would be settled at once and forever. The
appropriation is small-greater however this
year than last, and greater last year than
the previous one-but with IL great good is
being effected. The Utes for long time re-
sisted all attempts at educating their children.
There are now, however in tho school at AL
buquerque, New Mexico, over twenty youths
from the southern Utes. Before this / had
some fenrs Of the attitude Of these Indians
in regard TO war. Now have none what
ever. Their children at school are reliable
guarantee that they will keep the peace"
"What is the course of study at Carlislep"
1.-THE elementary branches Of English, read
ing, writing arithmetic and instruction in
the mechanic and agricultural arts"
Now, Mr.. Teller" said the reporter, going
little out Of the beaten track Of his inquiry
to see what so practical and common sense
thinker as the secretary Of the interior had
to say on SO Uerdta qudestio, "all things being
considered, do you think the capacity Of the
Indian youth to learn the arts and sciences OF
civilization equal to that of the whites~
"You must remember that the circum-
stances surrounding the Indian are vastly diff.
ferent from those about the whites. The in
huence of heredity must be taken in account
But, all things considered / think the ca
pacity of the Indian youth to acquire the in
struction impaired at Carlisle and similar
schools is fully equal to that of the whites
In the industrial arts they are remarkably
apt. Here is a horseshoe made by one Of the
pupils" and the secretary handed the reporter
o horseshoe which seemed TO the latter fully
as good as tho ordinary article in use. THAI
is about as good as white man could make
] have been told by capable judges that the
Indian skill in other articles is fully as groa,
as white mans. They certainly make equa
agriculturists"
"How much Is tho appropriation thi
yearP"
-Four hundred thousand dollars"
"What will be the cost of the present Apache
war in moneyW
"a sum which properly expended in school
to educate Indian youth would at once dissi
pate all Indian wars and rumors of Indial
wars"
"How many schools of this character hav
weP"
"Those at Carlisle, Pa: Forest Grove
Greg; and Hampton, Va. The last is no
solely for the Indians. There arc othe
schools, not so completely equipped in Nc
braska, Kansas, New Mexico, and the lndial
territory"
"You are satisfied then that these school
are doing o good work ?"
"The work that is needed-a practical com
mon sense work. We have taken from thes
tribes their old manner of living, it is bu
just we should teach them other ways of earn
ing a livelihood. They will learn they wi
labor; they must live. Leaving out Of vie,
altogether any sentimental views of the sui
ject, it isfar more economical to educate an
teach them to support themselves than
fight or to support them"
"You teach tho pupils the English lar
guageT
"Of course That is the first step towar
solution of tho problem, the teaching diffc
ent tribes common method of commpnici
ton"