The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-03-03
ROBINSON PLEADS
FOR The CAUSE OF
INDIAN EDUCATION
Sectarian Schools Get Hold of
Lives Of Indians and Help
in Uplift.
sY poANE

l TlerTc, .. H., MaTcn line uIScuSslOI:
Of federal support of Indian education
now on in congress is a matter of large
interest in South Dakota. This Is a
mighty poor time 20 withdraw any
educational advantages the Indians en-
Joy. All of the schools are doing good
work and contribute to the advance
ment OF the Indians, who are really
making q good progress as any rea-
sonable person could expect. All Of the
schools are good. but some are better
than others, and If i might have my
view carried out I would give a good
contribution of public money to the
%sectarian schools supported by the
Catholics, Congregationalists, Episco-
palians and Presbyterians in South Da-
kota for the benefit Of the Sioux With.
In my observation they are the schools
which are really getting a hold upon
the lives of the Sioux and giving them
q genuine deep-rooted sense Of re-
sponsibility. 1t is the product Of these
schools that furnish the native teach,
ers and missionaries. ! believe II a.
reasonable amount Of public money,
were allotted to these schools upon the
basis of the number OF children edu-
Gated more for the future of the Sioux
would be accomplished than by any
other method.
The better class of Indians them
selves quite understand the superior
ity Of the UNCONVENTIONAL schools over
the public schools so far as the moral
development of the pupils is concerned,
and many of them make great sacrifices
to secure the advantages Of these
schools for their children. They sub
scribe generally, to the support Of the
schools and many parents clothe and
pay part Of the living expenses Of their
children to get them into the religious
cnhnn1c fl,Nt.n1 thaxy hnxyn annoo IN thu
public schools, where the children are
clothed and kept free of all cost.
Cost Of Living.
Apropos to the cost of living prob
lem, public and private, the following
figures pertaining to public expense in
South Dakota may be pertinent: Dur
Ing the past four years the taxation
for township purposes has increased
from $305, 050.07 to $3.50, 714.80 or S3 per
cent. Tax for municipal expenses
have increased from $719,44S.42 to ST.
060, 1888 or AZ per cent: for the sup
port Of the public schools from $685.
GLASS; to $2,556, 5000 or 80 per cent; for
county support from 1922, S1S.63 to ST.
051. 62G.32 or "a per cent; for state sup
port from $S7S, S29.12 to 81. 8 4,282.66 or
AZ per cent. OF curse growth of popu-
lation is an important element In the
increase cost of government, but actual
living expenses is a still larger factor.
The percentage Of the increase of the
school tax does not reveal the situation
completely for the income from school
fund has very materially increased also.
Impound Flood Waters.
Senator CANDLES amendment for the
i~mpounding of the flood waters in
Lakes Kampeska and Pionsett is q
matter of f~ar-reaching interest in the
Sioux valley n will affect the water
powers now in operation at F1andreau
Baltic. Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls, Beloit
Calliope and Akron, and If carried out
will no doubt develop other power
plants on the Sioux river. Everyone
will hope the government will give up
the fiction of the Improvement of small
streams for navigation purposes and
take hold of the Improvement of such
streams where possible for the more
important matter Of power development
and the consequent conservation OF
forests and coa measures.
Annually there runs off through thu
Sioux river in seasons of flood an
abundance of water to keep an average
stage throughout the yea to run the
power plants at their maximum. The
impounding Of the flood waters in the
big natural reservoirs at kampeska
Pelican, Poinsett and Norden can b.
accomplished at a nominal cost. The
value Of the lands which will be
flooded about Poinsett will no doubt bs
the largest item Of cost.
Manufacturing in Hills.
Rapid City is to have an extensive
pressed brick plant, the machinery fol
which has been purchased and Is now
en- enroute The same parties already |
have a large lime and gypsum plant In
operation n are also installing
sand-lime brick plant. Still anothet
company has been Incorporated witt |
$780, 900 capital, to manufacture hare |
wall plaster. and the big United States
Plaster company's plant is running t.
its full capacity. 1t looks now as 4!
the gypsum beds of Rapid valley are tc
be the center of the states greatest |
brick and plaster industry, though the
Portland cement plants of the Missouri
valley will divide the honors.