Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-16
indian PROBLEM
BELIEVED SOLVED
New Educational Methods to
Make Rising Generation Self
Supporting.
PRACTICAL TRAINING GIVEN
Uncie Sam Finds That Policies Adopted
~ Red Mems Schools Need No
Revision After Years
Trial.

Probably no branch of the govern
ment service contains a more united
md faithful body of workers than the
'nreau of Indian affairs, says those
MO have observed the works of this
'Hreau- Among the signal and charac-
'cristc movements is the drive along
ne lines OF practical and systematic
"ducatlon. The educational idea. prob
AMY more than all other things com
hined, it is held, will efrcctually solve
the Indian problem.
Two things stand out prominently In
the policy of the bureau regarding In
man schools: First. to make them
producers as nearly self-Supporting as
possible not only as object lessons to
the Indians. but as simple business
proposition, resulting in the lowest per
capita cost and the consequent reduc-
lion OF appropriations necessary for
their support. This, IL is urged. Is ra-
tionally and concretely both effective
education and such economy Us any
great private or corporate interest
= could observe. Therefore, the farm. the
garden, the orchard. the dairy and.
where the area of the land would JUS
fify, the production OF live stock have
been pushed intensively and. a. far as
possible in accordance with scientific
methods and practice approved by the
department Of agriculture. which. I'M
der existing arrangement. supplies all
superintendent Of Indian schools with
bulletins upon the latest dependable
research.
Practical Training Provided.
Second. there has been n clear per-
cepti0n Of the need of well-balanced
course of study essentially parallel
with the academic work of the public
school, but including thorough indus
trial trimming In agriculture, with its
allied pursuits and the ordinary trades,
together with domestic arts and sci
"nce adequate for practical and health
fui housekeeping.
To prepare such n course. having
special adaptation to the social and
economic status of the Indians as well
us TO their scattered geographical To-
cations, was no small task
: Experts of the bureau who had
charge Of this work were quick to see
the need Of a definitely planned cur
through efficient service, to take the
raw material. the Indian boys and
girls, from largely uncivilized state,
at very young age, when they cannot
speak English, and make them over. as
II were, a condition and undertaking
which the world elsewhere does not
furnish, and after few years turn
them ont a finished product, capable
Of entering the competitive activities
IL their community or state and be-
come independent self-supporters
and citizens of average intelligence
and progressiveness: In this. more,
perhaps. than in all other factors, it
Is admitted. lies the solution of the
Indian problem.
Years Trial Proves Success.
This new course of study that has
been laid out has now been tried for
more than a year. and seems to have
beon so well prepared that but slight
revision will be advisable. 1t has been
scrutinized by educators of prominence
throughout the country and has elicit
I'd from many sources hearty indOrse-
ment. II Is now followed to the full
estS possible extent In every Indian
school under the aid and guidance Of
u supervising officials, who cover n
like; number of territorial districts
and whose special duties are to see
that the course is understood and COM
piled with and to report any I'M
avOidable conditions that seem to
call for modification Of its require
ments Its academical features are
such as will enable pupils readily to
enter the public schools without re-
tarding their progress and are de-
signed to subserve the general policy
Of the bureau Of encouraging the at
tendance of Indian children in the
state schools. There are now upward
Of 10000 Indian children in the public
schools and under the provision Of law
for paying their tuition. equal to the
per capita cost for white pupils, and
providing the Indian parents pay no
taxes, the number is rapidly increasing
and objection to such attendance by
white patrons is also diminishing.