The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-15

The announcement from Washington
that President Roosevelt favors, and
will recommend the complete adoption
of the policy of Commissioner of In
dian Affairs Jones-a policy that pro-
Vides for the assimilation of the nom
productive Indian into the ranks of
the workers of the world-brings WV
idly to mind the days when 1.-The In.
dian question" was one of burning mo-
ment.
And, naturally enough, it is wont to
cause the thoughtful person to endeay-
or to find out for himself the true con-
dition of the Indian of today. How is
the Indian being educated? In what
manner is his education affecting him?
Is 1T really beneficial to him?
1t has been asserted by many who
have studied the question that the In
dams, both male and female alike. do
not take kindly to book-learning; and
that upon the first opportunity they
go back to the tribal ways with no
ambition stirred in their souls
True 1t is that many have returned
TO their old mannerE-that after the
period of compulsory education was
over the blanket and moccasins were
again dOnned and the tepee was their
home once more. There is no gain
saying the fact that there are failures
among the Indians, but u it would not
De quite fair to the red man to CEN
sure him for this trait and remain
silent concerning it in the whites, with
Whom they are contrasted. Because
some have failed to attain to prof
clency, or that others did attain to it
and failed to benefit thereby it does
not necessarily follow that education
ooeS not benefit the red man in slIffi-
clent proportion to justify the discon-
tlnuance ofythe present system of In
dian education -
According to the recently published
report of the White Earth CMinn.) IN
olan school, it would appear that the
work of that school is doing a snIendid
work in bringing the young Indians Of
mat reservation to a realization of
their true condition in life, and in helm
ing 10 prepare them to face that con-
oltlon and to overcome it's difficulties.
A statistical table. is given of sew
enty-hve young men and women who
are graduates of the different reserve
ton schools, showing their present oc-
cupatIon or vocation.
Male Fen,aIa
Farmers .-..-.. 10; Farmers wives IA
BUSINESS men D In professions 3
d1tOL-CSSlOIldl LueL.. oiSJudentS ..-.... +
SStqoeHIs 49,. school employees 4
School employees ..10I II
Total ..,.,.: .40IOf these married 20
OF these married. Single ............75
Single ............2Sl
- - Total .......... So
These all average from twenty to
thirty years in age; and many others
are making honest and honorable liv-
1ngs following the ordinary occupations
of life, many as laborers in lumber
camps, public works in neighboring
towns outside the reservation, and q
few as craftsmen in towns remote from
their native places.
OF these, seventy-f1ve of whom posi-
tive knowledge is possible, all seem
to be doing well and are manffestIy
prosperous in life. They appear to
take quickly to office work as lawyers
stenographers, typewriters, bookkeepers
and civil engineers. They have proved
successes as ministers of the GOSPEL
and merchants; and several of the hest
country weekly newspapers are the
property of and edited by Indians.
Those engaged in agricultural pur-