public, and we can govern this country without failing for the same cause that every government heretofore has failed, ignorance on the part of the people. Dr. SHELDON JACKSON, the general agent of education in Alaska, was next introduced, and spoke as follows: EDUCATION IN ALASKA. Mr. President, Senator Blair has given you the principles of national aid to education. I bring to you an object lesson on the same subject. The Alaska schools owe a debt of gratitude to the Department of Superintendence of the National Educational Association which it gives me pleasure to express. At the winter meeting of this association, in 1882, Congress was memorialized to establish schools in Alaska. In 1883 the National Educational Association took similar action, and upon its recommendation teachers in all parts of the United Statesnorth, south, east, and west-sent petitions to Congress in behalf of education in Alaska. The Department of Superintendence for 1884 went a step further, and appointed a committee to wait upon Congress and secure the incorporation of schools into the bill providing for a civil government for the district of Alaska. This involved direct school-work by the General Government. It was already carrying on schools among the North American Indians, and among all classes, white and black, native and foreign-born, in the District of Columbia. Why should it not also undertake, until other provision could be made, schools in the district of Alaska. The United States, in the purchase of Alaska, assumed all the obligations of Russia, guaranteeing by treaty to the inhabitants "the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens of the United States." And among the advantages is the enjoyment of schools. The Russian-American Fur Company, as the agent of the Government, gave Southern Alaska schools. A school was established at Kadiak by Gregory Shelikoff, Governor of the colony, as early as 1785. In 1803 it reported thirty pupils, who were studying arithmetic, navigation, and four mechanical trades. In 1805 the imperial chamberlain and commissioner, Count Nikolai Resánoff, organized a school at Kadiak, under the name of the "House of Benevolence of the Empress Maria," in which were taught the Russian language, arithmetic, and the Greek religion. This school was re-organized in 1820. About the same time a school was opened at Sitka, with a very precarious existence until 1820, when it came under the charge of a naval officer, who kept a good school for thirteen years. In 1833 this school came under the direction of Etolin, who still further increased its efficiency. Etolin was a creole who, by the force of ability and merit, raised himself to the highest position in the country, that of chief director of the Fur Company and Governor of the colony. In 1825 Veniaminoff, who afterwards became the metropolite of Moskow, established a school for natives and creoles at Unalashk a. In 1860 it reported 50 boys and 43 girls. For the use of the schools, Veniaminoff prepared an alphabet and grammar in the Aleutian language. In 1837 a school was established for girls, children of the employés of the Fur Company, and orphans. In 1842 it had 42 pupils, and 22 in 1862, when it disbanded. In 1840 there were in the colonies 8 schools, 4 for boys and 4 for girls. Besides the colonial school at Sitka was one for orphan boys and sons of workmen and subaltern employés of the Fur Company, in which were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, mechanical trades, and religion. The most proficient of the pupils at the age of 17 were advanced to the colonial school and prepared for the navy or priesthood. The number of boarders was limited to 50. The school was in charge of Lieutenant Commander Prince Maxutoff, assistant Governor of the colony. In 1847 the attendance was 52; in 1849, 39; and in 1861, 27. In 1839 a girls' school of a similar character was established and number of boarders limited to 40. The course of study comprised Russian language, reading, writing, arithmetic, household work, sewing, and religion. In 1848 the school numbered 32; in 1849, 39; and in 1861, 26. In 1841 a theological school was established at Sitka, which in 1845 was advanced to the grade of a seminary. In 1848 it reported 30 boarders; 12 day pupils and 12 creoles being educated in Russia. Of those in Russia, 2 were in training for pilots, 1 as merchant, 1 gunsmith, 1 fur dealer, 1 tailor, 1 cobbler. In 1849 the attendance was reported 28, with 11 others in Russia. In 1859 and 1860 the common schools at Sitka were remodelled, in order to secure greater efficiency. The course of study consisted of Russian, Slavonian, and English languages, arithmetic, history, geography, book-keeping, geometry, trigonometry, navigation, astronomy, and religion. A knowledge of Russian, reading, writing, and the four rules of arithmetic were required for admission. A pupil failing to pass examination two years in succession was dropped. The course extended over five years. Extra compensation was allowed teachers who secured the best results. The faculty consisted of a principal, who was a grad. uate of the School of Commercial Navigation; a free pilot, who taught navigation; an employé of the company, who taught book-keeping and commercial branches; one priest and two licentiates, graduates of the University of St. Petersburg. The corresponding school for girls was in charge of a lady graduate of one of the highest female schools in Russia, with two male teachers. |