The Kickapoo, Kans., school, by order of Congress, must be moved, and plans for a building with a capacity of 75, to be erected on the new site, have been prepared. A new school building at Tomah, Wis., is now being erected. Substantial improvements are provided for, in the appropriation law, at Puyallup, Wash.; Salem, Oreg.; Wind River, Wyo.; Pipestone, Minn.; Flandreau, S. Dak.; Tomah, Wis.; Albuquerque, N. M.; Chilocco, Okla.; Genoa, Nebr.; Mount Pleasant, Mich.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Leech Lake and Red Lake, Minn. Plans for carrying on these appropriations are being formulated, and the bulk of the work will be accomplished during the succeeding fiscal year. Out of the general school-support fund the Indian Office contemplates the expenditure of a sufficient sum to radically increase scholastic facilities for the great tribes of the Southwest, and to that end adequate additions will be made to the schools now established for the Pimas, Papagos, Navajos, Moquis, Apaches, at Sacaton, Fort Defiance, Keams Canyon, San Carlos, and Fort Apache. There are on these reservations and adjacent thereto thousands of Indians without any school advantages whatever. Although the cost of building in these sections is very high, yet with the limited funds at its disposal an earnest effort will be made by this Office for remedying existing defects. The Jicarilla Apaches in the northwestern portion of New Mexico are without school facilities of any kind, and plans are now in contemplation for the erection of a boarding school for their uses. Although the Southern Utes are bitterly opposed to the establishment of schools for their children, an effort will be made with them. While governmental efforts for the education and civilization of the Seminoles in Florida are not meeting with adequate results, yet persistent efforts will be continued in order that the fear and aversion which these people entertain toward the Government may be eradicated or abated. At Fort Peck two dormitories are in contemplation, and work on this construction will doubtless be commenced during the year. Bids have been invited for a new girls' dormitory, to be constructed at Morris, Minn., and a project for lighting the plant is now under consideration. Improvements in sewerage, water, etc., at the Menomonee school, Wisconsin, and in buildings at Oneida, are subjects for consideration. Fort Belknap school, Montana, is located at such a distance from good potable water that before any extensive repairs are made the subject of moving the school to a more advantageous site will be considered. A great amount of repairs are necessary and in contemplation.

From the report made upon the Indian school at Perris, Cal., it appears that the site is unsuited to the requirements of a large Indian school. The soil is poor, water facilities are bad, and thus no agricultural, horticultural, or other farming operations-which pursuits the children must follow in after life-can be taught practically. Such a school for southern California is a necessity, and should have at least 200 pupils, which number can readily be secured without great

effort. The present school plant is inadequate, and not in good condi tion. No estimate for repairs has been made because it was thought unwise to expend any more money upon this plant until the question of its removal had been determined. It is suggested that economy and good service require a change in location of this school, and should Congress authorize the same some suitable site can be readily found in southern California, where all conditions of climate, soil, water, and other essential conveniences, may be met, thus insuring a successful school in an important district.

SUPERVISION AND INSPECTION.

The establishment of two school supervisors' positions in addition to those already allowed has been of material advantage in the administration of the school service. The large and increasing number of schools renders adequate supervision by the old force impossible. In order that the work of the supervisors might be simplified, and give each an opportunity to visit several times each year the schools under his charge, the country was divided into five districts. In this way supervisors can see what progress the schools are making, observe their organization, methods, and morale, and secure sufficient comparative data for keeping the Indian Office fully advised upon the merits or demerits of its system, and the advancement or retrogression of employees and pupils.

During each year many thousands of dollars are expended in the erection of new school plants, and improvements and repairs upon old ones. New sites for schools are to be selected, and special emphasis is placed upon adequate sewer and water facilities. Too frequently the Indian Office in these matters must rely upon the untechnical knowledge of the officials. The amount and character of this work requires the best and most skillful expert inspection in every stage. Congress has recognized this deficiency in another branch of the service by providing that one of the Indian inspectors "shall be an engineer competent in the location, construction, and maintenance of irrigation works." No matter how perfect a plan may be prepared, if the same has not been constructed in a competent, workmanlike manner, the service must suffer. The Government has over $3,000,000 invested in buildings for Indian schools, and such vast property should be inspected by some one competent to intelligently and skillfully direct and recommend what repairs, improvements, or necessary changes are requisite. It is therefore suggested that such an official be provided for the Indian school service at a salary sufficient to command the services of a competent expert.

INDIAN SCHOOL SERVICE INSTITUTE.

One of the most successful Indian school service institutes in the history of Indian education was held from July 18 to August 5, 1898, at Colorado Springs, Colo. Under the inspiration of the superintendent of Indian schools a large number of workers were brought together for mutual interchange of ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.

SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.

The following table shows the amounts appropriated for Indian school purposes through a series of years:

TABLE 9.—Annual appropriations made by the Government since the fiscal year 1877 for the support of the Indian schools.

Wild Rice River, Minn.-In 1892 the Protestant Episcopal Church, at a cost of $980.15, erected a building adjoining the Government school at Wild Rice River, on the White Earth Reservation, in Minnesota. The building was used by a mission of that church for teaching Indian women to make lace, and was known as the "Indian lace school." January 28, 1897, the mission proposed to sell the building to the Government for Indian school purposes, and authority was granted March 29, 1897, to expend $600 in its purchase, payment therefor to be made from the appropriation "Indian school buildings, 1897." A bill of sale to the United States from the Protestant Episcopal Church, by J. A. Gilfillan, its agent, was submitted, which conveyed not only the building but also 3 acres of land surrounding it. This office, however, was found to have no record of the assignment of this tract to the church for any use, and therefore it was deemed best to have the church convey its right in and to said land and the improvements thereon by deed, in lieu of a bill of sale; and, for the purpose of definitely describ ing the 3 acres and connecting it with the public survey, a survey of that tract was directed to be made.

A quitclaim deed, dated November 4, 1897, from "The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America," by Rev. Joseph A. Gilfillan, attorney, conveyed to the United States, for $600, all its right, title, and interest in and to a certain tract of land lying in Norman County, Minn., described as follows:

Beginning at the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter (SW. NW.) of section number thirty-one (31), in township number one hundred and forty-five (145) north, of range number forty (40) west of the fifth principal meridian; thence north on the west line of said section number thirty-one

(31) a distance of twenty-eight (28) rods; thence east and parallel with the south line of said section a distance of seventeen and a half (174) rods; thence south, and parallel with the west line of said section, a distance of twenty-eight (28) rods, to the south line of said section; thence west on the south line of said section, a distance of seventeen and one-half (174) rods, to the place of beginning, containing three acres, more or less, together with the frame building situate thereon and the land covered by said building.

The deed was approved by the Department December 1, 1897, and was recorded in the office of Norman County, Minn., March 16, 1898, in Book F, page 569, and is recorded in this office in Miscellaneous Records, Volume IV, page 280.

Red Pipestone Reservation, Minn.-The following paragraph is contained in the Indian appropriation act approved June 7, 1897 (30 Stats., 87):

The Secretary of the Interior is directed to negotiate, through an Indian inspector, with the Yankton tribe of Indians of South Dakota for the purchase of a parcel of land near Pipestone, Minnesota, on which is now located an Indian industrial school.

In compliance with instructions this office submitted to the Department April 25 last a draft of instructions, with detailed information regarding the Pipestone Reservation, for the guidance of the inspector to whom should be assigned the duty of conducting the negotiations. Flandreau School, South Dakota. In the Indian appropriation act approved June 7, 1897 (30 Stats., p. 80), Congress appropriated for the school at Flandreau, Moody County, S. Dak., $8,000 for the purchase of land to be used as an industrial farm, at a price not to exceed $25 per acre.

August 16, 1897, Leslie D. Davis, superintendent of that school, reported that several desirable tracts lying north of the school lands could be had, which were in a state of thorough cultivation, or were excellent for pasturage. August 28 he was instructed to enter into negotiations with the owners of the several tracts, and, September 24, he submitted a description of the tracts offered him, with the prices asked.

October 6, Supervisor F. M. Conser was instructed to inspect those tracts and report as to their adaptation to the wants of the school. October 27 he recommended favorably the S. of the SE. of sec. 16, T. 107 N., R. 48 W., owned by Mr. M. H. Beadles, of Illinois; the N. of the SE. and the E. of the NE. 4 of same section, owned by George A. Phillips; and the W. of the NE. of said section, owned by the State. In the meantime Superintendent Davis made a supplemental report, October 11, that the N. of the SW. † of sec. 21, T. 107 N., R. 48 W., had been offered him at $25 per acre, a most desirable tract to obtain because it would give free and undisputed access to the river for the sewerage system then in process of construction. Later he ascertained that more than $25 per acre would be asked for the Beadles tract.

March 7, 1898, the superintendent reported that he had negotiated for the purchase of the Phillips tract for $4,000, and submitted deed

therefor with abstract of title. This deed, dated March 7, 1898, was submitted to the Department April 16, 1898, and was returned May 21 with the opinion of the Acting Attorney-General that it passed a valid title to the land conveyed, subject to an unsatisfied mortgage of $1,800 held by the State, which was subsequently shown to have been discharged, and so recorded. May 26, 1898, the Department, having approved the deed, granted authority for the payment of the purchase money. The deed was duly recorded in the office of recorder of deeds, Moody County, S. Dak., June 4, 1898, in Book 15, page 209, and is recorded in this office in Miscellaneous Records, Volume IV, page 366.

Superintendent Davis had also been authorized to purchase the land held by the State, described as the N. of the SW. 4 of sec. 21; but March 24, 1898, he reported that upon examination of county records. he found that it was extremely doubtful if he could obtain a satis factory title to that tract. In lieu thereof he recommended the purchase of the SW. of sec. 16, T. 107 N., R 48 W., which was better land, and being contiguous to the school grounds would be especially valuable to the school. Jun 2 6 he submitted a deed of even date from Albert Faegre and Sarah J., his wife, conveying to the United States for $4,000 the SW. of sec. 16, T. 107 N., R. 48 W., fifth principal meridian, containing 160 acres. This deed was submitted to the Department June 11, and was returned on the 5th of August with authority for the purchase and with the written opinion of the AttorneyGeneral, dated July 1, 1898, that the deed passed a valid title. This deed was recorded in the register of deeds office for Moody County, S. Dak., volume 15, page 220, on the 12th day of August, 1898, and in this Office in Miscellaneous Records, Volume IV, page 383.

Rapid City, S. Dak.-The Indian appropriation act approved June 10, 1896 (29 Stats., p. 345), authorized the purchase of not exceeding 160 acres of land near Rapid City, S. Dak., at a cost not to exceed $3,000, upon which to erect buildings for an Indian industrial school.

Inspector James McLaughlin, having been instructed to select a site, reported September 8, 1896, that he had selected 160 acres, located about 2 miles west of Rapid City, lying in one body, and he forwarded deeds for the same, viz, the west 30 acres of the SW. of the NW. † of sec. 3, T. 1 N., R. 7 E., Black Hills meridian, South Dakota, from W. O. Temple and wife, September 4, 1896, for $380; the west 30 acres of the NW. of the SW. and the SW. 1 of the SW. of said section 3, containing 70 acres, from Samuel P. Williamson, September 3, 1896, for $1,860; and the E. of the SE. 4 of the NE. and the NE. of the SE. of sec. 4, T. 1 N., R. 7 E., containing 60 acres, from Henry P. Long, August 31, 1896, for $760. Ninety acres in bottom land were susceptible of irrigation from Rapid Creek and Limestone Creek, through the Temple tract, both streams being reported to have a never-failing supply of excellent water.

The deeds, with abstracts of title, for these three tracts were submitted to the Secretary of the Interior September 19, 1896, and November 27, 1896, the Attorney-General reported that they conveyed a valid