The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-24
nEponr OF 1nn INDIAN BUREAU
Al Appropriated Of ss.OaI.7 se Asked Fer
Advance In Indian school Work.

| WASHINGTON. Sept. % - Commissions
Browning Of the Indian Bureau In his annua
report to the Secretary OF the Interior sub
mits estimates for the year ending June 30
1895. aggreRating ST.. 931 .756. which IL $193.
$50 less than the present appropriation. The
advance in Indian school work during the yeai
Is said to,be encouraging as compared with the
last several years. This number OF pupils en-
rolled in 1891 was 1925: In 1892 19.9o7. and
In 1893. 2l.13S. The average attendance also
materially increased. That OF 1891 was 13.
5SS: in 1892. 15.167. and In 1893. 1898.
In speaking Of non-reservation schools the
Commissioner says that the purpose for which
they were originally established should be
strictly adhered to; that Is. they should be
regarded as advanced schools. and their pupils
should. as Il rule. consist Of those who have
previously attended reservation schools and
nearly or quite finished the course there pre-
scribed. Transfer from a reservation to a
non reservation school should be looked upon
as promotion and privilege. and selections
for. such transfer should be carefully made
and based on merit and proficiency. and at the
same time they should be old enough when
they leave school to Withstand the strain Of
As a further step toward increasing the en-
cheney Of non reservation schools. 1t has been
dren against the wishes OF their parents.
Neither has the authority granted to the Sec
Rotary OF the Interior by the act OF March 3.
1893. been, exercised. That act author
lied the Secretary to withhold rations.
clothing. and other annuities from Indian
to attend SCHOOL. Tho Indian child. Com
missioner, Browning insists, ought to be
taught at least to read. to write. and to speak
English. and how to earn living In civilized
way. On the reservations day and boarding
schools should be provided. and should BIO at
tended. but the forcible taking Of children
long distance from their homes against the
will OF their parents Is to the Commissioner OF
very doubtful expediency. Even ignorant and
sul erstitious parents have, rights. and their
paternai feelings are entitled to cons deration.
The Indians as n rule. however. are beginning
to appreciate education for their children. and
the new schools recently opened are beinH well
attended
The Commissioner regrets that for the first
time since 1888 the appropriation made TOR
the support OF Indian schools has been de-
creased and the severest restriction is In the
item for school building. only S20.OOO being
allowed for the erection and repair Of reserva-
ton boarding school buildings. This sum.
keep them In decent repair. The amounts set
apart for various relig ous bodies for Indian ed
ucation aggregate $5U2. 1886. of which these are
q few of the items: Roman Catholic. S365, S45;
Presbyterian. $50 0!to: Lutheran. SIS. 120: Con-
gre gation al s.. $50 Friends. 020 Unitarian.
50. 400: Episcopal 5000: Mennonite. $3.50.
During the last year cash payments were
made to Indians aggregating S3O71.211. Of
which S975: AZ was for SERVICES and articles
filling treaties interest &c. The report shows
that the several Indian tribes have in the
United States Treasury trust funds amounting
to S23,0S7 Sj1.