The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-10-26
indian PROBLEM
BELIEVED SOLVED
New Educational Methods to
Make Rising Generation Self.
Supporting.
TRAINING GIVEN
Uncle Sam Finds That Policies Adopted
In Red Mems Schools Need No
Revision After Years
Trial.

trial.
Probably no branch Of the govern
ment service contains more united
and faithful body of workers than the
bureau Of Indian affairs, says those
who have observed the works of this
bureau. Among the signal and charac.
teristic movements is the drive along
the lines of practical and systematic
4 education. The educational idea, prob.
nbly more than all other things COM
blned 1t is held, will effectually solve
the Indian problem.
Two things stand out prominently in
the policy of the bureau regarding In
| dian schools: First, to make them
/ producers as nearly self-supporting as
possible not only as object lessons to
the Indians, but as a simple business
proposition, resulting in the lowest per
capita cost and the consequent reduc-
tiOn of appropriations necessary for
their support. This, 1t is urged, is ra-
tlonally and concretely both effective
education and such economy as 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
tlfy, the production of live stock have
been pushed intensively and, as far as
possible in accordance with scientific
methods and practice approved by the
department of agriculture, which, un-
der existing arrangement, supplies all
superntendents of Indian schools with
bulletins upon the latest dependable
research.
Practical Training Provided.
Second, there has been clear per-
ception of the need of a well-balanced
course of study essentially parallel
with the academic work of the public
school, but including thorough indus
trial training in agriculture, with it's
allied pursuits and the ordinary trades,
together with domestic arts and sci
ence adequate for practical and health
full housekeeping.
To prepare such a course, having
special adaptation to the social and
economic us of the Indians as well
as 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 definitely planned cur
riculum that would enable the schools,
efficient service, to take the
raw material, the Indian boys and
girls, from n largely unciviliZed state,
at very young age, when they cannot
speak English, and make them over, as
It were, a condition and undertaking
which the world elsewhere does not
furnish, and after a few years turn
Ehem out a finished product, capable
of entering the competitive activities
Of their community or state and be-
come Independent self-supporters
and citizens of average intelligence |
md 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
)een so well prepared that but slight
'evisiOn will be advisable. 1t has been
'crutinized by educators of prominence
the country and has elicit
ID from many sources hearty indOrse-
nent. 1t is now followed to the full
st possible extent in every Indian
chool under the aid and guidance of
i supervising officials, who cover
Ike number of territorial districts
nd whose special duties are to see
hat the course is understood and COM
lied with and to report any un-
vOidable conditions that seem to
all for modification of its require
nents. It's academical features are
uch as will enable pupils readily to
nter the public schools without re-
arding their progress and are de-
igned to subserve the general policy
f the bureau Of encouraging the at
of Indian children in the
tate schools. There are now upward 4
f 10000 Indian children in the public
chools and under the provision of law
or paying their tuition, equal to the
er capita cost for white pupils, and
roviding the Indian parents pay no
lxes, the number is rapidly increasing
nd objection to such attendance by
'hite patrons is also diminishing.