The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1904-11-03
CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATION
io NOT NEARLY ENOUGH
WILL ASK FOR s5oo,CoO SCHOOL FUND

tional rcpriation-Great Eaqer.
ness for Education.
MUSKOCEE: "The inadeouacv of
the 100000 appropriated last year for
support of schools for non-citizen
chiidren in Indian Territory is becom-
ing more apparent every day." said
}. d. Benedict, superintendent of
schoois in Indian Territory yesterday.
/ snail ask congress TO appropriate
at least SjOo,OG0 for the school work
OF next year and | believe that we
can ind good use for every dollar of
It,"
scores OF letters and petitions from
people importuning for the establish
ment of schools in their neighborhooi
come into the superintendent office
every week. Some of them are path
etic in their pleadings. Mr. Benedict
by the very limitations of his funds
is compelled to turn deaf ear to most
or these communications. Many COM
mnnlcations do not give up the fight
Ior schools until they have sent re.
peated letters and finally made a per-
sonar call upon the superintendent
Mr.. Benedict explains to them that he
has already established as many
SCHOOLS as can be supported with the
limited appropriation and promises
them that he will try to do something
ior them next year.
Some communities in their deep
anxiety for the privileges of education
fn 40
The following is letter Of that ma
tire written by citizen of Grayson,
who evidently could profit by a little
schooling himself:
Mr.. sekearey of the intar:
Sur, wish to ast you fur a free
sccol here in the town of Grayson /. {.
and we wish a free scool. We hav 100
to 90 stuGnce all radda fur scooling.
We had n privat scool and becose
every boday wuld not pay up the scool
stopped so il you can Civ us free
scools let us here from you"
This is cnly one of a large number
Of letters received from people evi.
IDENTIFY ignorant themselves. but very
anxious that their children should
NV tjio"
superintendent Benedict received a
letter from Twin ..ouncs. where a
school has already been established
by government appropriation, plead
inS Eor an assistant teacher. The
letter states that there are 100 schol-
ars in the school and fifty more OF
school age who would like to attend.
The teacher cannot give proper atten-
tion 10 the large number CT pupils
already under her care and is discour-
aged. The writer suggests that he
viii be willing 10 board a teacher free
and TO guarantee her one months sal
ary II the government will send one
and pay FOR the other three months.
Some people get the idea that the
100000 is TO be distributed in cash
like an Indian payment and they write
iacuiring what has become Of their
share of the money. One man inform.
ed Mr.. Benedict that il his commun-
itv was not given its share cf the
100000 he would bring an injunction
suit a"ninst tho whole school system
in Indian Terrtory.
Many incorporated towns in the ter
ri.ory find themselves without schools
for their children. The value of their
property is not sufficient To bring
in money enough to sustain a school
The money from the appropriation
cannot be given to incorporated towns.
These communities are left in the
cold. Some of them have offered to
abandon their interpretations IL the
govsrament will furnish them schols.