The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-02
THE HOWARD SCHOOL.
The Annual ExaminatIon-The Prizes,
tho Speeches, and the Prospects Of the
School.
frRox OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

School.
tFRoN OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIA, June 80.
After three days of laborlous examination,
each one including speeches from visitors
present and distribution Of prizes to the meri-
,torioIs, the annual session Of the Howard
tcolored) School, of Columbia, closed this
afternoon.
The first day of the examination was devo-
ted to the primary department.; and in this ex-
animation demonstrated, most of all, the won
derful patience and tireiess teaching of the
instructors. This department. is under the
management of Misses Simons, Avery, Taylor
and Stebbins.
The second day was given to the interme-
diate department, over which preside Misses
Griffin, Merrill, Alice Loomis and Greene. The
proceedings here, as the day before. consisted
Of devotional exercises, recltations, readings
and singing. The results were in high de
gree satisfactory.
The third was the most important day, Civ
ing the results Of study In the highest or
grammar department.. The teachers Of this
department are Misses Hall and Carrie Loom
| is. Here we had class In reading, In which
est-the girls were clearly ahead of the boys.
| In intellectual arithmetic the exercises were
highly creditable. In grammar, the parsing
was not remarkable, unless we take into con-
sideration all the conditions which render
teaching these higher departments here; but
In that view the highest credit Is due the teach
ers who have accomplished 30 much. The
their elements. In history and geography,
again; there was better work. The severe
work Of fractions and parts of speech was
varied with defamation and vocal exercises.
The prizes were distributed for scholarship,
punctualty, department, attendance, and
other virtues Of the school-room. The awards
consisted of books and pictures, which had
Clark, q Northern friend of Southern educa-
ton, who has been supporting teacher in the
school for several years. About twenty prizes
were awarded.
Speeches were next in order, the State Su-
perintendent of Education conducting the
oratory. State Auditor Tumlinsun was first
called upon, and-Tesponded. His speech Was
brief, temperate, and confined to the subject Of
education.
Judge Wright (colored) followed in his char
acteristic vein, holding that the exercises of
the day were full answer 10 all questions
about the educability OF the colored race. And
the Judge was right-as far as he went. A
colored visitor, who was addressed as "Mr.
Green" was called upon, but declined with
complimentary reference to those who were to
follow, and hint at the lateness OF the hour.
Another person, whose name was lost In the
rustic of attention 1t created, declined upon
some grounds which did not appear. A re-
sponse from another person (colored) con-
sisted In hearty compliment to the Howard
School, taking the ground that 1t Is the best
school Of It's Kind In the State, which Is proba-
l. I no l>not In hn
Lieutenant Wallace spoke next, representing
himself as one interested In education, claim
inr TO be a as.Scaawag,n (whateVer that ISL
from Louisiana. This seemed to be the only
political allusion OF the day. While speaking,
this individual used the word NEGRO, where
upon voice came from the crowd which SEEM
ed to be q substitution OF 'colored person" for
the word used by the speaker. There was
pause and moments silence, after which the
speaker went on with his argument. The
next speaker was called upon as "Mr.
Jackson" who earnestly advised the pupils of
the school to ''perseyere and 60 on" In their
good work. This speaker, IN paying merit
ted compliment to the zeal and proficiency OF
the scholars before him, dwelt upon the hopes
spoke of the pride with which he expects to
watch their progress when they get old
enough to go to school. But he forgot to add
(which he evidently had in mind) that he
would send them to the Howard School, 10 be
educated along with the c0lored children who
have done so well. His being member OF
the Legislature, and owing his position 10 the
colored voters, render such an inquiry proper,
and in order.
County School Commissioner Edwards, (col-
ored,) responded next to MIR. Jillson's call for
q speech. He frankly told the negroes that
they must begin to pay for their schooling
themselves; that neither the State nor charity
would be likely to do everything for them, If
they continued to do nothing. The State Su-
perintendent of Education-Mr. Jillson, Of
Massachusetts, concluded the addresses with
q few remarks, in which he detailed the diff
cultles of establishing an effective system of
education. He took OCCASION to say-and to
emphasize the proposition-that the prejudice
between the peoples in South Carolina was
less prejudice against skins, and the color OF
skins, than against ignorance and uncnlti-
vated brains.
These daily sessions have lasted usually from
s o'clock A. NJ, until past noon. The last
day until after two o'clock.
The Howard School numbers about four hun
dred and seventy-five pupils, of both sexes and
all colors, except exactly white.
The superintendent, Miss Haley, and her
corps of ten teachers, mentioned by name
above, deserve the gratitude OF our commune
ty for their efforts, and the measure Of success
that has crowned them, In this matter OF edu-
eating the negroes.
It was stated during the speeches, that there
was fair prospect OF their all returning at the
opening Of the next session-the fist OF Octo-
ber. CoRsAlR.