The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-28
r,aom oua OWN CORRESPONDENCE

lynoM DUB own CORRESPONDENT.
COLUMBIA, June 25.-The annual e1amina-
tions and closing exercises Of tie Howard
School were finished yesterday. This institu-
ton is devoted exclusively to the colored race.
It was established the first year after the war,
but under different auspices from the present.
Two years ago large wooden building was
erected by the Ffeedmen's Bureau, at the e1-
pense of the general government, and the
Howard School established in it. Beyond the
building itself the Bureau has had moth
ing to do with the support Of the school. The
corps of teachers consists Of ten-one princi-
pal and nine teachers, all female. OF these
nine, eight are white and one colored. The
principal, Miss Haley, is from the North, as
are all the white teachers, and she has been
connected with the school from it's commence
ment. These teachers have been employed
and sent South by the New York Branch ofthe
Freedmen's Union Commission. One Of them,
however, is supported by private citizen OF
Hartford-a Mr.. Clarke-out OF his private
means. Recently the Presbyterian Freedmen's
Society has taken the support Of teachers in
hand, and will continue it IN the future. The
lands on which the house is built belong in
part to the freedmen Of Columbia and in part
to the New York branch Of the commission,
the house itself to the United States Govern
ment, and the teachers are supported by bene.
VIOLENT societies and private individuals in the
North.
The ten teachers conduct ten classes or divi-
sions, called schools and ell the pupils are
classified carefully in these ten schools. The
maximum number of scholars reached in any
one month during the session just closing,
which began in October, 1858. was in winter
lust 600. Ofthese about 275 were boys and S25
girls. The maximum number-600-is very
far above the average number Of pupils tor the
whole session, be cause the early months did
not present as full lists on account Of the in
complete supply Of teachers. OF the pupils
about one-third are negroes, and the other
two-thirds mulsttoes and quadroons. From q
class Of twenty-three, which one OF the teach
ers informed me was fair specimen Of the
whole as to color, I estimate that the school OF
600 pupils is composed Of 200 negroes and 400
Of mixed race; the mixed element consisting
OF about 80 black quadroons, 1S5 mulattoes,
and 1856 white quadroons. The branches in
which these colored pupils most excel, the
teachers inform me, are spelling. reading and
geography; while they are less apt at arithmet-
ic and grammar. 1t will be observed that
memory is the negro's forte, rather than think
ing. The pupils range. as to age, apparently
from nine to over twenty.
The examinations consisted Of three days.
The first, Tuesday, was devoted to The prima-
ry department. The second, Wednesday, to
the intermediste; and in this department four
prizes were distributed. The third day, Thurs
day, was devoted 10 the higher department,
and was the most interesting, in that the pupils
were the farthest advanced. The pupils Of this
department were examined in arithmetic,
spelling, reading, writing, grammar and geo.
graphy. They did remarkably well-for ne
groes but judged by the standards that we
apply to whites, 7 cannot say that think they
did very well. Hy impression is that the
teachers should be honored for having done 30
much with such material /; and that the COM
munlty owe them great deal for having done
all that could be done towards educating
the colored people. The work that they
have done has been well done. although
not all that We and they could wish. 1
think the sentiment Of the community upon
this matter is one of approval and thankful
ness. On this third and closing day, there
were six prizes awarded, OF which two we're for
excellence in scholarship and department."
one for uniform pohteness and respectful be-
havior;" two for ''puuctuality;;" and one for the
highest number OF credits and merits, includ-
log both department ard recitations. 1t will
be seen that scholarship is not the basis Of
most Of these awards. The individual pupil
that held IN all respects the highest rank, was
30 near white that white quadroon, (three-
fouIths white) would not give fair idea Of his
color. His hair was perfectly straight. and his
features unmistakabiy Irish. His sister, Of the
same mixture, bore of two OF the highest
prizes.
To give specimens Of their recilations would
hardly convey far idea of their attainments;
and might appear in spirit Of complaint,
while nothing could be farther from the feel
inss induced by witnessing these exercises.
Incidental to these examination exercises
there were several points worthy of note. The
audience was almost entirely negroes s-the
whites being about one to ten.
Just before the c.ose Of the exercises Messrs.
Moses. the Adjutaut- General, and Neasle, the
Comptr ollar. General, came forward each with
q cup, asking that the cups be presented as
prizes to the most worthy in the two depart
ments, first and second. The presentation Of
the cups was done by MIR. Neagle; and the oc-
casion demanded, of course, that both the cup
presenters should be invited to ''make few
remarks" Without any apparent reluctance
they both assented, Mr.. Neagle leading the
way. He had but one theme-himself. BE
explained to the schoolgirls and boys how
much he had gone through with in his efforts
as q loader Of the Repu .hcan party in behalf
OF the negroes; how he had suffered insult, re-
vilings, and all manner Of prosecutions from
the white people in his efforts to advance the
negro, and to secure the triumph OF the Re-
publican party to which the negroes belonged;
how prominent be had been as leader OF that
party; and how he was going to die BY ii; and
now they might always rely upon HIM as the
q lend Of the negroes and prominent leader
OF. the Republican party.
Mr. Neaele, hav.ny delivered himself of
both cups and speech, sat down with the air
OF one who felt that the great event of the day
,ro, oob;ayo5 md rual1 onhiavad Rut tho and