On this letter let me remark:
1. That it concedes what has not heretofore been granted, the reading of the Bible in the vernacular in contract schools and its use in explaining the English. We accept this concession with gratification.
2. But it makes no concession whatever (beyond that made in the order of the Commissioner) in regard to the use of the vernacular in schools supported wholly by missionary funds, or in the employment of white teachers in vernacular schools in remote districts. Until concessions are made on these points, the controversy will go forward.
The aim of the Government is expedient, in trying to secure ultimately the use of the English language among the Indians. The aim of the missionary societies is to fulfil an imperative duty, in trying to reach the Indians with the Gospel in the most effective methods. There should be mutual respect for these aims; the Government should yield to the conscientious conviction of the missionary societies as to methods for giving religious instruction, and the missionary societies should co-operate with the Government in introducing the English language as rapidly as possible consistently with their higher aim. I venture to suggest an outline of Regulations that would probably attain both these objects and meet other objections to the ruling of the Department that are not removed by the President's letter.
DETAILS OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS
1. No text-books in the vernacular will be allowed in any Government school, supported wholly by the Government; no oral instruction in the vernacular will be allowed at such schools. The entire curriculum must be in the English language.
2. In contract schools supported in part by missionary societies, the vernacular may be used only for the reading of the Sacred Scriptures, and for oral instruction in morals and religion and where it is deemed to be an auxiliary to the English language in conveying such instruction.
3. In all "missionary schools" supported entirely by missionary or benevolent funds, no restrictions will be put upon the use of the vernacular, with the understanding, however, that the English language shall be introduced as rapidly as those conducting these schools shall deem compatible with the higher aimreligious teaching; and that when these schools shall be prepared to use the English language wholly, the Department will give them a place on the list of contract schools rather than to establish others in their stead. If new mission schools are established they must be so located as not to interfere with existing Government or contract schools.
4. That any religious denomination shall, at its discretion and entirely at its own cost, be allowed to conduct special classes in the vernacular for the training of teachers and preachers. As it is desirable that those teachers and preachers should be taught in English studies as well as in the vernacular, these classes may be conducted in connection with contract schools, yet so as not to interfere in any way with the regular curriculum in the English language.
"Ramona Days," is the title of a neatly printed pamphlet of forty-three pages, being the January number of a quarterly, published by the Indian Department of the University of New Mexico. This Indian school is named in honor of Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson, who has rendered such valuable services to the Indians in setting forth in thrilling terms their wrongs, and in pleading so pathetically for their rights. The Ramona school is under the efficient supervision of Pres. H.O. Ladd, and is aided in part by the American Missionary Association.