Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-12
The Colored school Insro<,,o.

To ne Ediser Of as S:ar-Sir From the inter
est manifestedby The STAR in the general adj
vsncement OF the colored people or tue District
OF Columbia, am led to request your indul-
gence In laying before your readers additional
lessons, u any be required, aside frs N the we'll
s sso~h astsrsney and general ignorance Of
Trustees Of CO.ored Schools.
In perusing your columns, nv attention was
attracted to resolution offered in the Senate
by Senator Sumner, requesting information
concerning the past and present anagement of
the colored schools Of Washington and George
town, which augurs well for the early adjust
mcnt OF the onpIedsdntness" now existing but
the strongest argument why there should be q
cnange in the law now governing the colored
Schoois was contained in the reply Of Senator
Lrumbull to the honorable Senator from
M Massachusetts,, who, while perfectly will
ling for the Information to be received,
questioned the propriety, and doubted
,ne authority Of the Senate over the matter.
Now, If the Senate and House Of Represents
yves have no Jurisdiction over q body Of its own
creation, and the Hon. Secretary OF the Interior,
VINO Is supposed to be the guardian OF the COL
pointing power Of three trustees, without au-
thority to remove, or in any way exercise any
oontrolipg influence over them, as unfortn-
nately has been demonstrated lately to the det
riment of the schools, and the corporate author
tiles OF Washington and Georgetown are granted
the speeia! pririieee OF paying over annually to
irresponsible parties SlG0, GOO of the hard earned
taxes Of the people, without being invested with
power enough to inquire as to its disbursements,
land the manner OF awarding contracts, &C.,
for building school houses, by the majority of
the board, Is not Of that haracter to impress an
observer that they icork on the square. 1 think
are ample reasons for additional legislation for
the government of the colored schools of Wash
ington; and it is to be earnestly hoped that
Congress will take hold Of the matter and place
the colored schools in position where it win be
out OF the power of or tco to retard the cause
OF education, no matter whether they be inf u-
enced by personal hostility or jealousy to the COL
ored family Of Washington, or deserving of the
sympathy Of the masses for their ignorance Of
educational matters.
We hope also that the District Committee
will examine thoroughly the report when sub
United, for IL the present Superintendent OF
Colored Schools has a weakness, il consists in
making cut reports ct dictation, for it will be
remembered, in response to a resolution from
the Senate as to the financial condition of the
corporation of Washington, Mr.. Newton pre-
sented report, which required q committee of
three (3), by resolution of the Board OF Aide
men, to unravel, and the job proving rather
hard, IT finally eliminated i'm the appointing of
an Auditor and Comptroller. 1t is to be hoped.
therefore, that we will be saved from all such
reports.
The present condition Of the schools, from the
statements made by Superintendent Newton,
clearly shows that something is necessary to
increase their efficiency, they having become
fearfully demoralized during the last three
months. JUSTICE.