Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-07-17
tn. sehs., Trs,,.e a.. ,sss..

10 hs Editor If ne .S5ar: As my name mas
been used In your eelumnsln connscaon H.Ln
of the TRUSTEES OF Colored schools In tns CITY |
To the Beard Of Trustees Of Pubic SCHOOLS
and The intent and effect Of that measure
those whom ii was designed to beneht,-viu |
you permit me IA state for myself the reasons
whi3 n led me To favor it
The change was first proposed, 90 Ear as /
am aware, after 1t became known that TIE
Hon. Secretary OF the Interior had peremptorily
refused 10 reappoint Mayor Bowen on the
Board Of Trnstess for Ooi ore Ssnoois' even
unanimously by the colored people, and Mr..
Bowen had reluctantly consented 70 servo, in
compliance with their entreaties. 1t was not
then known when he would appoint. There
was, however, an urgent need Of a larger
Board,-it having been found impossible for
the three gentlemen heretofore composing II TO
ties Of The position. One or move members is
needed in each Ward, or each School District,
to properly look after the schools and the
school property.
In view Of these facts, and of the further con.
sideration that the Mayor and a majority OF the
City Don ncils are now Republicans, and hence
friends OF equal rights and impartial educa-
don, and We're understood 70 be about 10 elect
Hoard Of Trustees for the Public Schools,
such as should represent the views and inter.
ests of the Republican majorlty,-it seemed
subserved by the proposed transfer There
was no longer need OF separate Board, as
there had been at the tune it was constituted
The coiorec citizens, 1t was understood, would
be represented proporuonately in the new
Board-probably by the very men now on the
separate Board, with others; Mayor Bowen
| would be e1-oTeio President OF the Board.
and thus his services in behalf OF the
colored schools would be retained, and the
| wishes Of the colored people be substantially
granfed, Notwithstanding the political dislike
of the honorable Secretary of the Interior; the
| colored schools would become pubic schools,
and share impartially in all school funds and
school property OF thu Corporation the teachers
would be entitled to increase OF pay with the
white-school teachers, and thus all invidious
and unjust distinction on account of color be
wiped out. This equality before the la VIZ is
| Just what every intelligent colored citizen was
supposed to be aspiring for and demanding;
and that any would .sprotest" against it when
preferred was not once imagined by me.
tits claimed, indeed, by some, that our col
ored citizens should, through q separate Board
OF Trustees, have the erclusire control and an.
preparation Of the funds set apart for coIored
schools. This clam will hardly be considered
just or reasonable one, when { Is remembered
that but fraction of this fund is furnished by
the colOred tax-payers-that the great bulk OF
the money comes from the pockets of the white
citizens. a contrary impression, am aware,
is somewhat prevalent, out it is an evident
mistake.
The taxable property of colored citizens of
Washington and Georgetown is variously es-
tlmated at from one to two million dollars
worth. Taking the largest estimate (S2,(sO,OUO)
the amount of the school tax On it for the cur.
rent year, at % cents 70 the hundred dollars,
will be only 81 zoo; whereas IL Is expected that
from $4,000 TO $4,000 will be ex pended for col.
ored schools during she year.
II Is right and Just that our colored citizens
should have their pro- orti0ndte voice in the ex-
penditure of this money; but surely they will
admit that il is neither right nor Just that they
should have its ezclEsiye control. The money,
coming from the whole people, should of
course be expended in the interest Of the whole,
and not merely of class. But in the matter of
schools, the interest of the tchose is the interest
of erery class and tins is TO have the best schools
and the greatest number Of them that the money
will procure.
A Public School Board, therefore, in which
both classes of citizens shall be duly Iepre.
sented by their best men, and numerous
enough 10 attend properly TO the interests COM
nitted TO their charge, is plainly the right
thing in the case; and 10 this am confident
every right-thinking man, when he UNDER
stands the matter, will say amen. Very re-
spectfully yours, A. T.. NEWTON,
Superintendent CoIored Schools.
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1865