Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-04-13
THE CHEROKEE TROUBLE.
Mr.. spray and "Omcious ia rtisam.
ShiD.v

EDITOR THE CITREN:-In recent
editorial THE CITIZEN charges Mr..
Spray, superintendent OF the Indian
training school at Cherokee, with "ofici-
GUS partisanship. The writer has no
personal knowledge upon this point ex-
cept that derived from conversation on
that subject with Mr.. Spray and with
those opposed to him, but from that in
formation it seems probable that the in
fcrences of active partisanshp in the last
congressional election were drawn from
facts which did not support them Mr..
Spray has assured the writer that he did
not attempt, directly or indirectly, to in
fluence the votes of others IN that elec-
ton for congressman. This assurance
would be conclusive to THE CITIZEN if it
knew Mr.. Spray. The writer is opposed
to Mr.. Spray in political opinion and
would condemn as heartily as does THE
CITIZEN any oticious partisanship in one
holding the position of superintendent OF
the school.
Aside from this objection, there can be
no question of his excellent work in the
school. Or. Dorchester, the governments
superintendent of Indian schools, de-
cIares this to be ''one of the six best In
dian schools in thecountry." The writer
himself spent several months last spring
and summer at the school while engaged
in the neighborhood in business and can
testify from personal observation to the
excellence of the system maintained in
the school and the satisfaction and viii
lingncss Of the children in carryingit out;
to the high moral ideals kept before them,
and the tact and good sense with which
these are inculcated; to the sympathy
and affection existing between Mr. and
Mrs. Spray and the children. Whatever
others may think of the superintendent
and his wife it is quite sure that they
have the respect and affection Of the chill
dren and the teachers.
The children are taught well. accord
ing to DR.. Dorchesters statement, in the
studies commonly used in such school,
but they have also what is better-good
character-bul''ing. The influences of the
life at the institution tend strongly to-
ward making them intelligent, honora-
Bile and sellrtliant men and women.
They appear to be susceptible to good
influences for during his long stay at the
school the writer heard of no quarrcls
among the children and of only one case
of punishment and that mild one.
The institution as at present conduct.
cd is a powerful civilizing factor in the
band of Indians. That il is so in such
degree is due, i'll the writer's Judgment, to
t he peculiarly fortunate qualifications OF
the sup rntendent and his wife for this
difficult and delicate work. Besides
teaching the ordinary branches of Eng.
lish education, there is good deal of in
dustrial training. The barns and live
stock are taken charge of by companies
of the boys in turn, and there is a school
farm on which it is attempted to teach
intelligent methods OF farming, The
girls are taught sewing and all kinds OF
house work. There are in the school so
or 80 Indian children all fed, clothed,
shelte, ed and educated at the govern
ment s expense. A visit there to see how
this work is carried on would please any
one who is interestedin Indian education
1t would also please Mr.. and Mrs, Spray
from whom such visitors always receive
a cordial welcome.
Chas. II. Harts horne.