Douglas Island news., 1904-01-27
Jackson Schools.

"I can make arrangements with the priest for 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 urgent need of public school. For several years the white men of the settlement have been agitating the matter, but without any success. The priest, too, had realized the importance of teach ing the children to speak English, and has tried to teach some English in con- nection with his church school. The children are anxious to learn the Eng fish language, and, considering their meager advantages, have made consid- erable progress. The bureau of educa- tion pleads poverty and thus far has failed to provide for public school at the settlement. The priest realizes the situation, aud for the sake of the peo- pie would provide a 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? Because from statements made by Jackson and the actions of many of the teachers appointed by him, the priest believes that the teachers are sent to Alaska, not so much to teach the English language as to advance the ideas of their superior relative to re- ligious teachings.
 The above extract from letter ad- dressed to the writer with the explana- tion following outlines briefly the re- suit of the policy pursued for several years by pr. Jackson. It is au unfor- tunate state of affairs that this repre- sentative of the bureau of education. has been allowed to pursue policy that has proved to be a positive hin- drance to the cause which he has been delegated to promote. Suppose for moment you look at the situation from his standpoint, aud take it for granted that the Greek church in Alaska is rep resented by an unprincipled and de- bauched clergy which opposes all Amer ican ideas and institutions, does it help the cause of education for the native, many of whom are adherents to the Greek faith, to denounce first of all their religion, snd secondly, to attempt to proselyte them to one of the Prot estant isms? If that is the first step to be attained in the education of the Alaskan natives, it is in direct opposi- tion to the principle adhered to in the public school system of the states. In fact it is not a matter to be regulated by arbitrary opinion and personal choice. Congress has decided the mat ter, and we all recognize the advisabili- ty of not attempting to teach creed or religion in the public schools.
 There would not be the slightest ground for friction between the teach CTS and priests had not Dr. Jackson, from the very inception of the educa tiolal movement for the natives of AL aska, combined in it his own views rel ative to religious matters, and in many instances made appoint ments with that sole purpose in view.
 Many time has it been brought to- the writer's attention that United States teacher was wanted, and not jackson teacher" May it be said to the honor of several of the teachers who have been in the service in Alaska that they have not been Jackson teach ers," but representatives of the public school system of the United States. As such the priests and people have respected them, and much has been ac- compiished for the enlightenment of the natives. But where the teachers have arrived from the States loaded down with tracts, etc, and attempted 50 establish creed for the natives, making their assigned duty second consideration, their efforts have not been blessed in proportion to their zeal.
 The question is very grave one and should be considered by those who are at present legislating for the needs of this northern country. Year after year Dr. Jackson journeys to the shrine of his ambitions, and having absorbed so much of the native life as his small stature can hold, returns to the East and in we'll chosen words describes his