The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-11-05
The Colored schools and school
Heard.

We have been for some time Intending to
hnd opportunity for general visit to the
schools, both white and colorcd, aud to
speak Of their condition. A visit to several
OF the colored schools has given US the i'm
preston that while they are for the most
part under good instruction-mauy of them
being In charge Of teachers OF the very best
quall1cations-therc are some few teachers
painfully incompetent. The old teachers,
who have won such proud regulations In
previous years, are adding still more to the
great debt OF obligation which the friends OF
these schools havO Justly felt duo TO these
devoted women. Mr.. Cook, the superin-
tcndent, has entered upon the second year OF
his duties, with an experience which will
give his work more value than could have
been fairly expected in his first years ser
vice. The schools arc well filed, showing
an unabated Interest on the part Of the col
ored population In the education Of their
children, and tho progress of the children in
all branches Of elementary knowledge seems
to be on the whole quite as rapid and sub
stantlal as is to be found In white schools OF
the same grades.
We are pained to dud in the proceedings
OF the City Councils declaration Of want
Of harmony In the action OF the board Of
trustees OF these schools, and Of a misman-
agement Of the school funds. 1t Il certain
that there are colored men In this city who
arc eminently competent 10 manage these
schools as trustees with Intelligence and
fidelity. The schools were, on the whole,
managed with good Judgment last year, and
Mr.. VIM. syphax, as chairman of the board,
gave yery general satisfaction in the leading
conduct Of the boards affairs. We hope
that Congress will early In It's session enlarge
this board, which now /. too small. consist.
Ing of but three members. and We will add.
that 40 long n, tho npb,c INDIGNANT, nro.
nounee. 4, favor or scnor,tc schooI. ror tho
two races. IL Ia not only desIrobIe. lint. in opr
Judgment, essential 10 tho hest succes, of
the colored schools that thew be MANAGED by
the colored people. If there were not ep-
llghtened, educated and honest coIored men.
having the interest of their race at heart.
In this community, who would fulfil wisely
and well tho duties of trustees, the case
would be different. There arc many con-
sideratlons In favor of these views, and
which need not be mentioned, as they arise
&C once In the minds of all intelligeu. men
who give any thought to the subject. One
OF the strongest measures that can be urged
for giving the care Of these schools to the
colored people, Is that 1t furnished to the In
telllgent colored population of the District
an excellent opportunity to show their capa-
bilitles In the conduct of public affairs,
which Is essentially important to the race a t
this period OF their hrst admission to the
rights and duties OF citizenship. We repeat
1t, let the colored people oil the District
manage their own schools They are inily
capable OF doing So ana the pest interests
OF their race Will DC promoted oy sueh
course
In reference 10 the management oil Tie
schools and the school funds, we will not
for a moment indulge the suspicion TIL