The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-10-06

Indian blood has become SO much more
conspicuous as TO make 1t properly
subdivision Of the Thlingit family.
Even in the Government schools
nothing is taught but the three Rs.
little grammar and geography to both
sexes: painting, carpentering, cooper
age and shoemaking to the boys. and
sewing. cooking and general domestic
knowledge to the girls. The schools
aim at civilization rather than deep
learning and no attempt has been
made to introduce the higher educa-
ton. save that the pupils OF one school
have learned enough Of music to have
a pretty good brass band. 1t is aston
ishing. though, how much is done
toward the development Of intelligence
and moral stamina-so long, that Is to
say. as the pupils are under the direct
influence Of the teachers.
Early Marriages Encouraged.
AS q precaution against back sliding,
the students are encouraged to marry
as soon as they have graduated and to
establi separate homes Of their own.
1t has been demonstrated many times
that the civilized Thlingit or Eskimo. If
left to the tender mercies Of his or her
uncivilized relatives and friends, soon
relapses into savagery. Early mar
riages do much to counteract this ten
dency, but the Government should do
something more to attach the rising
generation permanently to civilization.
The Photograph mailed two weeks ago.
which you will probably publish here
with, was taken by your correspondent
at the Karluk school, on the west side
at Kadiak Island. An experiment made
by the Commissioner of Education in
employing an educated Russian and his
wife TO run the school has, contrary to
expectation, proved successful. Your
correspondent found the school In a
fiourtshing condition, with high aver
age OF attendance and intelligence. and
noted many evidences of the popularity
of the teachers. The Russian, having
the confidence of the natives, has in
duced the Thlingits not only to send
their children but to attend the school
themselves. See-woo-ak (Mountain-
Wlth-trees). the old woman in the fore
ground with her granddaughter, Now
max tThe Northern Thistle), between
her knees, is 81 years old. Her son.
Tipoo-chak white Fish who Is hold
ing the Stars and Stripes, IS as All
three generations Of this family attend
school regularly.
Dangerous Experiment.
The employment Of Russians as
in he
capital idea, If those gentry may
safely be depended upon to inculcate
American ideas while giving English in
struction, for the Thlingits and Eski-
mos have more faith in the subjects OF
the Car than in citizens of the United
States. But the Commissioner of Ed
ucation is not sure he can find many
Russians who would tie as loyal to their
trusts as is the good gentleman in
charge of the karluk school, and he is
slow to extend the experiment The ma
tional spirit is strong in the breast of
every Russian from imperialists to nj
hlllsts, and it is more than likely that
given control Of the United States
schools, they would teach their own
tongue, almost to the exclusion Of An
glo-Saxon
After the thrush of gold seekers in
the Spring there will be many more
white children in Alaska than at pres
ent, and Congress will soon be asked
to increase the appropriation at the
disposal Of the Commissioner OF Edu-
cation. 1t is to be hoped Uncle Sam
will prove as generous to his little ones
from the States as he has been to his
dusky babes of the primeval woods.
MARK FALLOE