The Minneapolis journal., 1901-02-14
HIS REPORT USED
Michael Dowling's Secret Mission
to the Philippines.
HIS SUGGESTIONS ANENT SCHOOLS
He Did Not Oppose the FaribauIt
Plan-Recommenda
Acted Upon.

In the benevolent assimilation Of the
Filipinos, the administration at Washing
ton expects education to play a most i'm
portant part. 1t can easily be conceived
that the problems of adapting the Amer
lean school systems to conditions found in
ithe islands have been very difficult to
solve, and yet, being familiar with Amer
lean progressiveness. just such a solution
might be expected as that which has been
| reached. Washington dispatches say that,
in the plan of civil government proposed
for the islands, the Faribault system of in
struction has been adopted for the schools,
system that has become familiar to
pedagogues everywhere in connection with
the name of Archbishop Ireland.
DowIing's Secret Mission.
Some months ago Speaker Bowling, of
the house OF representatives, was sent to
the Philippines on secret mission for the
war department. His report has rot yet
been published, and, consequently, it is
not permissible to refer to some of the
recommendations made. Though the
statement does not come from Mr. DoWl-
ing, it is understood that he did not ex-
press in his report an opinion hostile to
the Faribault plan.
Though the war department has not
given out any statement touching his re-
port, the educational system of the island
has taken up certain features approved by
Mr.. Bowling Of which mention may be
made at this time. One of the first sug-
gestions from the Minnesota man was that
American teachers be imported. Fred w.
Atkinson, general superintendent of edu-
icat1on in that far away archipelago, has
recently informed Mr.. Bowling that teach
iers from this side of the ocean have been
engaged.
MeHger School Accommodation.
Accommodations for the school popula-
tion were very meager and in order that
.the various municipalities might have
buildings after which to pattern, it was
urged further in Mr.. Dowling's report
that some modern structures be erected
This has been undertaken with success ac-
cording to Mr.. Atkinson.
Perhaps the boldest feature of the gen
eral plan outlined was the formation of
Filipino educational association in the
United States, with the direct purpose in
view of assisting the better class of island
ers in their struggles to acquire mental
discipline. The department of education
| in the island has taken up this plan and is
proceeding upon its execution with most
promising assurances Of success. The
Fflipinos selected for scholarships in the
United States, and that is substantially
the form under which aid is to be ex-
tended, will be sent to acadamies or col
leges as their previous training permits
The FaribauIt Plan.
Religious exercises are not permitted
under the Faribault plan, though the
school building is available for religious
teaching If any clergyman desires it after
regular hours. Where two religious de-
! nominations ask for the building at the
same hour the officials in charge are free
to employ discretion. More important,
still, religious faith is not bar to en-
ployment as a teacher; qualifications alone
determine. Under the Faribault plan, the
general authorities do not even assume to
| interrogate applicants as to the form of
worship they may observe.
Mr.. Atkinson in writing from Manila
declared that a two months study of the
educational system had served but to con-
firm his very favorable impression of Mr..
Dowling's report.