The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-26
THE NATIONS WARDS
How the Indians are Becom.
ing Civilized.
THE Work or THEIR SCHOOLS.
Observations Of 4. $. Superintendent
Dorchester. who is Now Visiting
Puget sound Agencies.

nr. Daniel Dorchester. Superintendent Of
ali the Indian schools in the United States
and Mrs Dorchester. who is bis regularly
appointed assistant, we're IN the city yes
terday taking one days rest aftHr several
weeks hardship in travelling over Washing
ton on an Official tour OF inspection.
Dr.. Dorchester, who Is a venerable ap-
pearing man OF about 60 years Of age, is
Methodist clergyman. and flied enc Of the
leading pulpfts in Boston ap to the time Of
his appointment 10 the Responsible position
be now holds IN the interior department
He Is the author OF Christian Progress, /"
a standard poIemic work. and has all his
life been engaged more or less IN literary
and educational work. Moreover, he is
Whist Matthew Arnold called Jolly saint, .
being a close observer of men and having
keen appreciation OF the humorous side of
life. Mrs. Dorchester. who Is truly help
mate. has also been an active ed acator ali
her life and takes great deal OF interest
in her particular branch OF work. which is
70 examine into the moral. physical and
educational status Of female pupils in the
United States Indian schools.
PosT-IsTELLIGEScgR reporter. who
called on DR.. and Mrs. Dorchester yester-
day found them in cosy apartment at the
Willis house, and although they we're here
simply for rest, Mrs. Dorchester was
found hard at work at her writing table.
while her husband was laying plans for
future travels. DIR. Dorchester, when
asked to give an idea of his work and the
condition OF the schools he had visited in
Washington, very graciously consented.
THE Indian schools said he, shave
not been visited as they should have been
BY the superintendent at Washington.
who have left that work to inspectors, and
their visits have only been senli-occasionaL
When | was appointed / determined to
give the schools careful and personal in
spection, and ! am now carrying my re-
solve into execution, and an assisted in
this work by my wife. who holds regular
government appointment"
This is the first tour Of inspection by the
superintendent
Il find as a result of my examinations
so far, that some of the schools have been
made to suffer very much from the APP
pointment of unsuitable and incompetent
superintendents and teachers. It is the
purpose OF the interior department and the
commissioner OF Indian affairs. TO make
thorough reforms in all branches of the
Indian service. and especially in the
schools. and my report win form the basis
for the new system The field is very
large one, extending from ocean TO ocean
and embracing 240 Indian schools, inclnd-
ing those wholly supported by The govern
ment and those known as contract,
schools, which are under the control of
some religious denomination and receive
financial aid from the government Some
OF these schools receive as high as $50 per
capita from the government, but the aver
age Is between 500 and $780, I visit both
classes and take an equal interest in each.
Last summer Mrs. Dorchester
and myself spent two months in the work
and visited twenty schools, principally In
Indian territory, Kansas and Nebraska. I
have now been In the field since September
6. visiting schools in Monfaaa, Idaho,
Eastern Oregon and Washington. We ar
rived at Tacoma November 2, and Agent
Eelis. Of the PuyaIlup agency, took US
around 20 the schools IN his jurisdiction.
the PnyailHp, the Quinault. the Chehalis,
the Skokomish and the "contrncts' school,
run by the Roman Catholics at East Ia
eema, and since then we have visited the
schools 40 the Tuialip agency You can
imagine that we have had some fresh and
lively experiences on this last tour, as we
have travelled over go miles on carriage
wheels. We have found your soil TO be ex-
ceedingly deep and rich. and il has accom-
panied us in all our travels.
II wish 10 say in regard TO the schools
have visited on this coast that they have
greatly exceeded my expectations. Indeed.
some Of them are the very best in the
United States In real scholarship and moral
condnct of their pupils. There are larger
and better equipped schools in the East.
bar IN point Of attafnments and real merit
find some Of these Puget sound schools
are their equals. can also shy that we
have very excellent class OF officials and
employees connected with these schools.
1T has been our observation that the Inc
dian children on this side OF the Cascades
show less disease than those or tie other
side, and | think, they STOW much nSore
mental acuteneSs. In scne os the Puget
sound schools have seen very difficult ex-
amples IN arithmetic, in fractions, and
even in square root, demonstrated by The
pupils Then there is little or no trouble
in managing these children, and / think
they are even more traetabie than white
children. They are more orderly in the
school room, more respectful and courte-
ous to their teachers and 70 strangers. and,
think. show greater desire 70 enjoy ali
the benefits Of civilization.
I'VE have found very good moral and
religious influence In the schools We have
visited. There il no doubt IN my mind
that Indians west of the Rocky mountains
are very much in advance Of those east of
that dividing line IA several important re-
spects. They are more civilized; they
have raore sels-reliance, and they are 4
more industrious and Of q higher moral
type. OF course. many OF them are very
INDECENT and Of q low type. but | speak Of
them rs q whole. One reasca why they
are more self-reaiant is becaglse they have
never received rations or asInuities from
the government, and as q consequences
have had to DEPEND or themselves. Their
necessities have made them industrious
ana industry is the great element OF self
relsanns. ] have seen no lazy Indians 81
any os the coast agencies. Then there are
no blanket Indians on this side oE the
mountains. refer to those HAo prefer the
aboriginal gaiEuent, which consists Of a
blanket bearing the stamp, z. s. In
dlans en this coast hare largely discarded
this Aaadre Of dependence and wear the
dress ef civilization.
Il ssnd thAs fsolygamy il fast disappear
ing In fact Instances are so scarce that /
had aifEculfy IN learning Of niore than f~o
or three on any enc reservation. Then the
average Indian Is Improving in chastity.
They are coming hack 70 their old standard
before they were contaminated hy tire