Newspaper Report
Philadelphia Inquirer, 1898-12-23

MAY HAVE TO CLOSE
The Two Indian Schools in This City Are Threatened With Extinction
CHARTER TO BE AMENDED
Action of Congress May Be Changed by Reason of Steps Now Being Taken

Two of the most valuable educational institutions in Philadelphia are threatened with extinction. The Lincoln Institution and the Educational Home, which have, during the past two decades, turned many wild Indian children into polished, civilized beings, may have to close their doors and turn their pupils adrift. The main support of the two schools has always been derived from an appropriation made by Congress each year, amounting to $33,400 which has been equally divided between the two institutions. This year the appropriation seems likely to be withheld. It is now hanging in the balance before the House Committee on Indian Affairs, and there is a strong disposition on the part of that committee to strike this particular item from the Indian appropriations for 1899. As the Lincoln Institution and the Educational Home are dependent upon the government appropriation, excepting for several small endowments and occasional voluntary contributions it was conceded yesterday that in case of unfavorable action by Congress they would have to be closed unless private means of sustenance can be found.

Mrs. John Belangee Cox, who is head of the Board of Managers, and who was virtually the founder of the two schools, made a trip to Washington last week, accompanied by Superintendent William M. Hugg, and exerted every possible influence to have the House Committee rescind its threat to strike out the appropriation. Both Mrs. Cox and Mr. Hugg expressed satisfaction yesterday at the result of their trip, but were by no means confident as to the success of their mission. It is now impossible for the action of the committee to be made public until Congress reassembles in January, after the holidays.

HOW THE TROUBLE AROSE.

The opposition to the appropriation in the Committee on Indian Affairs was based on the assertion that the two Indian schools in this city are under the control of the Protestant Episcopal church, and hence, being sectarian, have no right to receive government money. H. Laussat Geyelin, treasurer of the board of Council of the institutions stated yesterday that this assertion was based upon the fact that the old charter of the Lincoln institution had been granted to members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and has never been changed.

“When the Lincoln Institution was started, thirty-two years ago,” said Mr. Geyelin, “it was designed as a soldiers’ orphan school, and when that use was outgrown an amendment to the charter was secured, enabling it to receive and educate Indian children. The persons who endowed it were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and probably Episcopalians have given it more attention than others, because that denomination is not only strong in Philadelphia, but is also strongly identified with all lines of charitable work. The schools have never been sectarian, and no sectarian influence has ever been exerted over them. If we can satisfy the Indian Affairs Committee that the Lincoln Institution and the Educational Home are in no way controlled by or connected with any denomination there is little doubt that we will get the appropriation. If not, the schools will have to be closed, unless some outside assistance is rendered.”

CHARTER TO BE CHANGED.

In order to dissipate effectually the impression that the schools are under sectarian control the contributions to both institutions met yesterday at 324 South Eleventh street and decided to apply to the courts for a change in the charter. The alterations will strike out certain parts of the charter which have given the impression that the institution and home are under sectarian control. Bishop Whitaker presided at the meeting.

There are one hundred Indian girls educated in the Lincoln institution, and the same number of Indian boys in the Educational Home.

"The government allows us $167 annually for each of these 200 pupils,” said William M. Hugg, superintendent of the Lincoln Institution, yesterday," which amounts to $33,400, which is the sum of the annual appropriation. When you take into consideration the fact that the $167 is to pay for the food, clothing and tuition of a child for an entire year it will be realized that it is little enough to work on. In fact, we find that with the strictest economy we cannot do justice to the pupils under $210 each, so that the two schools together spend $4200 more a year than we receive from the government. This must be made up from donations and other sources. We have a few small endowments to fall back upon, but these are only a small help.

Each year when we come to settle up our bills the Board of Directors and the managers have to go down into their own pockets and help to pay off the indebtedness of the institution. The schools are really government institutions: they draw their chief support from the government, and have absolutely no internal resources of their own to fall back upon. If the appropriation is withdrawn the schools will have to go out of existence unless public-spirited citizens come to their aid.”

The future of the two institutions will be fully discussed at the annual meeting to be held at the Lincoln Institution on the 19th of next month.

Acknowledgements

Heid Sproat discovered this newspaper clipping.

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