outlining his plan for the establishment of Government schools for all
Indian children--the attendance to be compulsory. The omission of
all mention of the "contract schools" in this paper confirmed the
impression to which rumor had given currency. An animated discussion
followed the reading of his paper, in which the Commissioner freely
participated. It appeared that he had been misunderstood--at least
in so far as any immediate curtailment of the "contract schools" is
concerned, and he impressed the Conference warmly in his favor as a
Christian man with broad views, impartial and progressive. He will
meet, we feel sure, with the cordial support of all the societies
engaged in Indian educational work.

The final action of the Conference was embodied in a platform
substantially repeating the utterances of last year, urging national
education for all Indian children and approving the continuance of
"contract schools." Other planks of the platform related to lands in
severalty, to the legal rights of the Indians, etc.--all of which were
unanimously approved, and thus once more this remarkable Conference
followed its predecessors in free and frank debate, consummated by
entire harmony in the result.

The varied and unique scenery of Lake Mohonk was shown at its best by
three days of bright and bracing weather. The welcome of Mr. and Mrs.
Smiley to their increased number of guests, who taxed to the utmost
limits the accommodations of the large establishment, was as cordial
and genial as ever. The hearty and enthusiastic vote of thanks,
the only compensation permitted, was a far less reward than the
gratification of their own benevolent feelings in doing good; and that
gratification is probably to be enhanced by the calling together of
another Conference in the early summer in behalf of a still larger