The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-12-17
THE INDIAN SERVICE
Requirements That Must Be Me-
by Those Employed.
Examinations in Writing Twice
Year for Teachers and Instruc-
tors in the Various Depart
ments-Agency Employees.

Charles McNichols, formerly a news.
paper publisher in Kankakee county
ILL.,, now agent for the Colorado In.
dian reservation, with headquarters at
Parker, Ariz., writes the following con.
corning the requirements for positions
in the Indian service, says the Chicago
Record Herald.
occasionally 1 get letter from
some one inquiring for a position in the
Indian service. Such positions, with
the exception of agents and inspectors
are all in the classified civil service, and
one must take the examination in or
der to be appointed. l will say, how
ever, that for most places in the In.
dian service one is much surer of Sc
curing an appointment after he has
passed the examination than in any
other branch of the civil service. This
is especially true of carpenters, black
smiths, farmers, industrial teachers,
laundresses, cooks and seamstresses
For these positions one is almost sure
to get an appointment after passing
good examination. Teachers and ma
less they pass high. One stands almost
no show of being appointed superin-
tendent, as most superintendents are
appointed by promoting teachers who
make good records.
Wages are good, but in no case are
they high Mechanics get from $500 to
5000 year, room, fuel and lights fur
nished. Their hours are shorter and
they usually do not have to work as
hard as if working in the usual way.
Farmers, industrial teachers, seam
stresses, nurses, matrons and teachers
have to take a written eXamina ton.
These examinations are held twice a
year, in April and October, on the same
day in two or three principal cities of
each state, like Chicago, Springfield
and Peoria. The teachers examina-
ton is little sitter than the ordinary
county examination. Besides the
usual branches, they are examined in
drawing and the elements of plane
geometry. The other examinations do
not so much require special education
as common sense.
There is no written examination for
carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks and
laundresses. They simply fill out
trades blank with vouchers from
those who know of their ability as
workmen and are willing to swear to
the same. These examinations can be
taken at home at any time. All you
need is to write to the civil service
commission at Washington, telling
them what position (trade) you wish
20 be examined in, and they will send
you the necessary blanks and vouchers
to be filed
"The cook need not think that she
has to cook alone for a hundred or
more school children, nor the laun-
tress that she has to bend over wash
tub six days in week. They are ex-
2ected to direct and teach this work
n the school and see khat it is done
properly. There is regular detail
If the larger girls to do the laundry
work and detail of boys to run the
washing machines where they do not
1ave steam laundry. The laundress
merely oversees and inspects the work.
sees that each pupil does his share and
hat all work is properly done. The
same is true of the cook. The wages
!or these positions is from $3.50 to $3.50
Der year.
"Allsthe clothing, sheets, curtains,
tc., used in the school Except boys
suits) are made in the sewing room.
The seamstress rarely sits down to a
sewing machine, but she usually has
20 do the more particular cutting and
lifting and to see that all the work is
done.
"The industrial teacher looks after
The boys out-of-door work, such as
gardening, care of the stock, teaming,
cleaning grounds, etc. The carpenter
makes repairs, makes tables, closets
and does such building and repairing
rs may be required, with such boy as
'istants as he can use profitably.
"The matrons look after the chill
iren when not in school-see that they
are properly bathed, dressed, etc, look
after the dormitory work, and oversee
he cook, laundress, seamstress, etc.
"The farmers and blacksmiths are
usually agency employees, and they do
III the necessary work in their lines.
The farmer instructs the Indians in
heir farming. and sees that they plant,
cultivate and harvest properly.
Altogether there are about 1000
employees in the Indian service. A let
.er of inquiry addressed to the civil
service commission, Washington, to-
,ether with a statement of the exam
nation you wish to take, will bring the