The Alaska prospector., 1904-01-14
COCNCII.MEN.

''1 can make arrangements with the priest for a winter school here if the teacher is not Jackson man {; but if he is on the principle of most of Jackson's representatives it would be fight"
 It seems that at one of the oldest settlements in Alaska there is ur- gent need of public school. For several years the white men of the settlement have been agitat;ng the matter, but without any success. The priest, too. had realized the importance of teaching the children to speak English, and has tried to teach some English in connection with his church school. The child rcn are anxious to learn the Eng fish language. and, considering their meager advantages, have made considerable progress. The bureau of education pleads poverty and thus far has failed to provide for q public school at the settle ment. The priest realizes the situ- ation, and for the sake of the peo- pie would provide building free of charge for school purposes, but he is not willing to do SO if one of Jackson's teachers is to have charge of the school. Why? Be- cause from statements made by Jackson and the actions of many of tine teachers appointed by him, the priest believes that the teachers are sent to Alaska, not go much to teach the English language as to advance the ideas of their superior ieative 10 religious teachings.
 The above extract from a letter addressed to the writer with the explanation following outlines briefly the result of the policy pur- sued for several years by Dr. Jack son. It is an unfortunate state of affairs that this representative of the bureau of education has been allowed to pursue q policy that has proved to be positive hindrance to the cause which he has been del- egated to promote. Suppose for a moment you look at the situation from his standpoint, and take it for granted that the Greek church is represented in Alaska by an un- principled and debauched clergy which opposes all American ideas and institutions, does it help the the cause of education for the na- tive, many of whom are adherents to the Greek faith, to denounce first of all their religion, and sec Ondly. to attempt to proselyte them to one of the Protestant isms? If that is the first step to be attained in the education of the Alaskan natis es, it is in direct opposition to the principles adhered to in the public school system of the states. In fact it is not a matter to be reg ulated by arbitrary opinion and personal choice. Congress has de- cided the matter and we all retOg- nize the advisability of not attempt ing to teach creed or religion in the public schools.
 There would not be the slightest ground for friction between the teachers and priests had rot Dr. Jackson, from the very inception of the educational movement for the natives of Alaska, combined in it his own views relative to religi- ous matters, and in many in- stances made appointments with that sole pupose in view.
 Many time has it been brought to the writer's attention that a United States teacher was wanted, aud not jackson teacher" May it be said to the honor of several of several of the teachers who have been in the service in Alaska that they have not been "Jackson teach- CTS" but representatives of the