Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-16
PenobSCot and Passama-
Quoddy Indian Reports.
Sup1. Smith Publishes Pamphlet
Explaining School Law,
insurance Dept. Completes Pas.
sadumkeag Fire Investigation.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
"ext Meeting Of Governor and coun
Gil Tuesday, Dec. 81, at 10 a. M

The annual reports of George II
HUNT of Old Town. agent of the Penoh-
scot Tribe of Indians. and Charles 4
Rolfe of Princeton, agent of the
tassamaquoddy tribe were filed with
the governor and council Saturday.
The report of Agent Hunt of the
fenobscot tribe says in part:
me loss to the tribe by death dur
ing the year is eight, six adults and
TWO children. There are a larger
number than ever before of old and
',iilriil VINO are dependent or semi
"elehuent ON the poor funds Of the
.Iipe ana consequently the drain upon
"ese funds during the past year has
peen the most severe | have known.
me recent discovery by Auditor Hatch
'nat inc state owes the PcnobScot tribe
some $4,000 more than is credited to
thenl on the books will prove a great
blessing to the Indians when the State
by proper Legislation rectifies the error
ana converts the money. or a consider
able portion of it into the Indian Trust
iund. IL would seem that the interest
on their fund would be sufficient to
amply meet all their real needs.
The sale of baskets at the summer
resorts was fairly remunerativc the
past season. though larger number
of the tribe than usual stayed at home.
finding other work to do. The Indian
guides did not have as good Il season
as usual. owing to the unfavordblc
weather conditions. but now that the
guiding season is over they are seek
ing and finding other kinds of work.
such as that furnished by the WOODEN
and pulp mills. canoe factories. building
operations. etc. The we'll and strong
among the Indians are each year
furnishing a larger number of helpers
in the white mans industries and in
due course of time they will. | think.
be able tn assume the white mans
burden
The superintendent of schools and
the tribal committee find the member
ship of the tribe this year to be 3SS.
which shows a gain of two over last
year.
The general condition of the schonls
is prosperous. The now feature in
troduccd by the sistcrs-that of sewing
and pattern work is very popular. and
cannot fail to prove a highly practical
ana useful element in the education of
the girl pupils.
The generous appropriation made
by the State last winter for the schools
is fully appreciated. 1t secures to the
teachers good compensation for
services which heretofore have been
undergrad. and enables the agent to
provide not only books and minor
supplies that have usually been paid
for out of the school appropriation but
also wood. janitorS services and other
needs. which hitherto have been taken
for the most part out of the other
Indian funds. already scanty for their
own purposes. 1t is proposed that the
new constable shall assume the duties
of truant officer. and do all he can to
prevent tardyiSm and abSentceism. 1t
goes without saying that no money
appropriated by the State for the
Indians cOnduces more for their bcnc-
fit and Improvement than that given
for schools
The report of Agent Rofc of the
Pass;tnaquoddy tribe says in part
THE present number Of the tribe is
i63 There were 10 deaths and Il
births during the year.
The great amount of sickness dur
lflS tilt' SlIllS anu IAN tduStu sum ~
drain on the poor fund that We have
been Obliged to pay out much more
than shown in our account rendered
and which We shall carry over until
next year Many Of the Indians have
as usual worked in the sardine
factories at PASSPORT and as section
men on the Washington County Rail-
road earning quite little toward their
support
The basket trade. their chief main
tenancc. has been very dull. hut the
prospect for better trade during the
winter is good
Several members of the Indian
Brass Band were called to attend the
jamestown Exposition. expenses being
paid there This is an excellent band
and up-to- date in all particulars.
During the late winter and spring
months measles prevailed and since
the month of October mumpS have
been prevalent. and so much sickness
has caused heavy expenditure from
the poor fund, as the Indian forgctS 20
provide for the morrow. There are
quite a number Of cases of conSump-
ton i'm families where the entire sup
port of the family falls upon the