The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-25

| IL Jones that Indian education
| rs now practiccd does not
| pay ana is practically Il failure will
astound many persons long accustomed
TO hea" just the opposite from the
| interior department. Vet Mr.. Jones,
VINO is I; conscientious ana straish1for-
ward man. noted in washington for
practical common sense. certainly sun
| ports his conclusion byimpressivc argu-
ment
There are now in operation" he
says III" boarding schools for the In
dlans with an average attendance OF
something over 5000 pupils. ranging
from to u years of age. These pupils
were gathered from the cabin, the
Wlckiup and the tepcc They were
CHOSEN not on account of any particu-
Ia" merit OF their own, not by reason
OF mental fitness. but solely because
they had Indian blood in their veins.
The Indian youth finds himself at once.
as If by magic. translated from a state
oI poverty to one of atfluence. He is
well fed ana clothed and lodged. Books
ana ail the accessories of learning are
given him and teachers provided to in
strucL him. MatronS wait on him while
he is we'll, and physicians ana nurses
attend him when he il; sick :, steam
laundry does his washing, and the
latest modern appliances do his cook
ing. library affords him relaxation
for his leisure hours, athletic sports
and the gymnasium furnish him cycr-
else and recreation. While music enter
tains him in the evening. tie has hot
and cold baths ana steam heat and
electric light. and all the modern con-
Veniences. All OF the necessities of life
are given him and many of the luz
uries. All of this without money and
without price or the contribution of a
single effort Of his own or of hi, people.
Here he remains until his education
is finished when he is returned to his
home-Which by contrast must seem
suualid indeed-;indl left To make his
way against the ignorance and bigotly
of his tribe. Is il any wonder he fails"
Is it surprising If he lapses into bar
bariSm" Not having earned his euu-
cation, il is not appreciated; having
made no sacrifice In obtain it. it is not
valued. 1t is looked upon as :, right
and not as II privilege: it is accepted
aS II favor to the government and not
10 the recipient: and The almost in |
eyi,able tendency is to encourage de- |
pendence. foster pride and create q
t,,t
The whole question of the Indians |
treatment by the government moves
Mr.. Jones 10 criticism. For about n |
he writes, THE govern
ment has been taking II very active in
lerest in the welfare of the Indian. N
vations and fed ana clothed; he has
been supplied lavishly with utensils ana
means to earn his living. with materials
Tor his dwelling and articles TO furnish
L; his children have been educated and
money has been paid him: farmers and
ne has received aid I'm a multitude uf
llferent ways. In the last thirty three
years over S2i0,000000 have been spent
Ipon an Indian population not exceed
ns 10000, enough, ii equltably divided,
o build each one Il house suitable TO
his condition and furnish il through
nut: To fence his land ana build him n
Darn; tn buy him Il wagon and team
md harness; to furnish him pluws and
he other implements necessary to cul-
ivate The ground, and TO give him |
besides 10 embelish and
,eautiy his home, What Is his Condl- !
ion today" Tie is stili ON his rrSer-
alton; he is still being fed. his chill
lrcn are still being educated and
money is still being paid him: he is
til! dependent upon the government
or existence; mechanics wait on him
md farmers still aid him; he is little,
f amy, nearer the goal of independence
han hG was thirty years ago, and IL
he present policy is continued he win
,et little, If amy, neArer in thirty years
q come"
And certainly in All. Jones conclus-
on many will share: 1t is time 10
make move toward terminating The
which has so long been {
Nercised over the Indians and putting
hem upon an equal footing with the
ihite men So far as their relations with