The Alaska prospector., 1903-03-19

names; which is not very hatter- ing, either to the bureau of educa- tion or the efficiency of its agents.
 From the inception of the gov ernment school in Afognak. over fourteen years ago. we have had only two or three teachers who have done good work and were qualified for their positions. Since the salary of the teacher decreased, education is neglected; some win- ters suspended altogether or the position filled by incompetencies. as it is now.
 With fast growing native popu- lation, and 15 bright children of school age, there should be more attention paid by agents to educa- tional work in Afognak.
 The existing dcplorable state of education has been brought to the notice of Mir. sheldon Jackson, time after time, but to no avail. If the salary of schoolteachen is only $500 or $500 a year, Mr. Jackson has no right to approve spending of this sum of money to no purpose. The Karluk school has had no teacher for the past half dozen winters.
 It would be timely sfor the com missioner of education to inquire into the existing condition of edu- cational work in Alaska.
 With considerable expenditure of money the government has erected school buildings all over Alaska with the aim of elevating the native populatiomi in knowledge of civilized people-a grand aim which should command the admir- ation and praise of all men. Why, then, stop at half way purposes unaccomplished Teach him to he provident, self-dependent and in- dIstrious acquaint him with rudi- mentary knowledges; educate him to be loyal and patriotic. That who will may be ready te step in the march of progress and civiliza- ton, and will not be the prey, as he is now of the shrewd trader, selfish Russian priest, or other un- scrupulous persons.
 The natives here, who are with out exception, adherents of the Greek orthodox faith, and quite fanatical, observed the holidays of Russia in their usual manner. On the first two evenings of Christmas week paper stars and lanterns, with candles burning inside, were car ried from house to house by natives, who after singing songs in each house received either money, candy or a piece of pie.
 The Russian New Years Day was observed by the firing of shot guns and rifles, as usual trying to outdo the celebration of American New Years Day by white men. On the sixth of January told style) Jordan was erected from spruce branches, on the lake where the priest blessed the water. During the performance about half dozen natives were firing at intervals with big charges of powder from shot guns, making a terrible noise, pre- sumably to frighten away the evil spirits. After the successful trans formation of swamp water into holy water, the supply of it was replen- ished by thoughtful natives for q year. By natives the holy water is kept in their houses, and while travelling they carry it along in vials, and believe it is beneficial in emergencies to take in small doses internally, or apply externally.
 The holidays with their merry making were passed without any notable event, but it was not so last winter. When the newly-appoint' ed priest--a young lad, and prie full of chiYAerical ambitions-or Christmas day meet On the road 2 respected native, Mir. NJ. T., who full of joy and happy in spirit, Wa.