The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-06

General Macarthur and was indorsed by
tue military government without reserva-
ton. Generals Otis and Macarthur have,
IN fact, both strongly favored and ad-
V0nced progressive educational policy.
and both, through their district command
ers, have reopened and organized schools.
furnished. textbooks and teachers. many
OF the latter being soldiers. and appropriate
ed money for expenses in localities where
funds could be raised by local subscrip-
ton or taxation.
The bill empowers the general superin-
tcndent 10 appoint. subject to the military
Governors approval, superintendent in
each OF the eighteen military districts. at
salaries Of 300 10 $500. Local advisory
school boards are to be organized IN the
municipalities as civil government becomes
established. English is decrecd TO be the
basis of all instruction, and authority is
given TO secure three hundred teachers
from the United States at salaries of SIS
10 800 monthly, travelling expenses TO Ma
Mia TO be paid by the government. one
section of the bill reads as follows: "NO
religions denomination shall have the right
TO teach its particular faith in schools
funds"
Financial aid by the government Is to be
provided in localities where there is salts
Is Glory evidence that poverty prevents the
establishment of schools Provision is made
for training natives as teachers in English,
and $4,000 is authorized TO be expended
under direction of the military govern
ment. for school buildings, and a like sum
foT furniture. Appropriations are made
for conducting three normal schools, and
army officer is directed to report on a
proposal TO found an agricultural school.
The first report of Superintendent At
kinson described education under Spanish
rule, during the two years of American
military government. and the present out
look. Under the Spaniards there was but
one teacher to 400 inhabitants, no school,
houses 10 speak of outside of the dwell
ings of teachers. and no good textbooks
The books in use contained partly religious
Instructions, the recitations were mechan-
zeal and the compensation of the teachers
was inadequate. Army officers who super
intend Improvements of the schools have
worked, in most cases, cOnScientiouSly and
with good effect, and have been generally
encouraged at the aptitude of the pupils.
While many of the provincial schools
have been taught by ecclesiaStics. the pub
lie schools in Manila have practically all
been in charge OF natives. There are now
thirty-six schools in Manila, none of which
was founded by Americans, though all are
supported through the provost marshaPs
department. and eight more are being es-
tabhshed. English Is required TO be taught,
and several American female teachers be-
gan service last month. David Barrows,
the newly-appointed superintendent of Ma
Mia schools, states, in report just sub
mitted to the military governor and civil
commissioners, that under Spanish rule the
city schools were practically private insti-
tutions, subsidized by the government. in
which all children who could afford it paid
instruction was largely religious.
Following the suspension of the schools
during the investment of the city in 1885,
they were reopened under charge of Father
w. ID. McKinnon, chaplain of the First
California Volunteers. Since then the sal
aries of the teachers, Including arrears
have been paid by the military government
Native teachers, meanwhile, have been TAX
ing instructions in English, so as to be able
to teach it.
The military government has also sup
ported three higher schools, conducted by
religious orders. namely-& teachers nor
NAL school, the Athenaeum Nesuit and the
girls municipal schools. The last-named
has the only really creditable school build
ing in Manila. 1t is being taken over by
the American school authorities. The sis
tiers in charge of the girls school are
studying English and lending every aid
possible. The assuming of actual control
of the Normal School and the Athenaeum
involves some questions now pending be-
tween the Americans and the church au-
thorities.