The daily sentinel., 1909-12-21
WHAT DOES THIS CITY
PROPOSE TO DO ABOUT
INDIAN SCHOOL HEREf

What does Grand Junction propose
to do about the Indian school, located
here-a property worth 100000 and
which is soon to be abandoned as an
Indian school?
Congressman at Large Ed T. Tay-
lor. who has the interests of Grand
Junction at heart, would like to have
an answer to this question.
In n letter to Attorney Samuel n.
Wheeler Congressman Taylor encloses
copy of the Indian appropriation
bill which was passed last March and
which has considerable to say re-
garding the Indian school here.
Congressman Taylor states that the
governor of Colorado has not yet ac-
cepted the provisions of the act, and
ii is not known whether he proposes
to do SO.
1t is reported that the governor has
said that. inasmuch as the last legis-
lature did nothing towards establish
ing school, he might not accept this
offer unless something was done at
the extra session of the Legislature.
in the event there will be one.
The appropriation for the mainte-
nance of the school by the govern
ment expires on the 30th of next
June: and, unless congress renews
the appropriation. the school will be-
come abandoned for lack of financial
support.
Congressman Taylor would like to
know the sentiment OF the people
here on this important matter. In
part, the letter to Attorney Wheeler
says:
DO the people OF Grand junction
n,.t . -
lands and buildings before the first of
next July. or to ignore the provisions
of this act and allow the property to
remain as 1t is?
''Of course, / understand that, if
the Colorado legislature would make
an appropriation for the maintenance
of normal school at Grand June
tion, the city would then be glad to
accept the provision of this act and
convert the Indian school into a nor.
NAL school. But, the state legisla-
ture not having made such an appro-
priation and possibly may not be able
to do so for some time, and the sec
retary of the interior in his recent re-
port making q pretty strong recon-
mendation for the discontinuance of
several of the non-reservation
schools, the question in my mind is
What are the wishes of the people of
Grand junction? ] want to represent
their wishes if | can learn what they
are.
IF they want me to urge a renew
al of the appropriation to maintain
the Indian school, | wish somebody
would so advise me. On the other
hand, II they want the governor to
accept that property, and If they ex-
pect to take the matter up with Gov
ernor Shafroth and have him do SO,
would like to know that fact, so as
| to govern my actions here according
ly."
In reference to the Grand Junction
Indian school the Indian appropria-
tion bill says in part:
There is hereby granted to the
state of Colorado, upon the terms
and conditions hereinafter named.
the property known as the Grand
Junction school, including the lands,
buildings and fixtures pertaining to
said school; provided, that said lands
and buildings shall be held and main
tanned by the state of Colorado as an
institution of learning, and that In
dian pupils shall at all times be ad-
mitted to such school free of charge
for tuition and on terms of equality
with white pupils; provided further
that this grant shall be effective al
any time before July /, 1910 if be
fore that date the governor OF the
state of Colorado files an acceptance
thereof with the secretary of the in
terror accepting for said state sale
property, upon the terms and condi
tions herein prescribed.
'sE'nr and education ne or
Indian pupils at the Indian school a
Grand Junction, Colo. S33,400, anC
pay of superintendent, $1,000; pro
vided, that, if said school is disposed
of as above authorized at any tim.
during the fiscal year of 1910. tn.
pro rata share only of the appropria
tion for the maintenance of sait
school for the portion of the yea,
which the school is maintained b,
the United States shall be available.