The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-05
CIVIL RIGHTS IN NEwBURa.
ColOred Schools to be Discontinued-The
Blacks to Enjoy the Same Edu catiOnal
Privileges as the Whites.

Colored Schools to be observation-disclosures
Blacks to Enjoy tho Same Edu cational
Privileges as the Whites.
NEwBURG, N. Y, May 8, 1873.
Last evening a meeting Of the Board OF this city
was held for the purpose OF considering the appli-
cation OF various colored citizens for the admission
OF their children to all OF the schools under the
troll OF the Board. Heretofore these children have
received their mental training in miserable little
shanty situated In the part OF the city dersively
dubbed "Crow HnL" because OF the large
number OF colored citizens who reside
there. Since the recent passage Of the
'CIvIL RIGHTS BILL'
by the Legislature OF this State OF the colored
Newburgers have aspired to better advantages for
their children, and petitioned the trustees as
stated. The petition was referred to the Com
mi,tee on Laws, consisting OF Eugene A. Brewster,
Chairman; Michael II. Hirschberg and Cyrus b.
Martin, with the superintendent, DR.. r. v. K.
Montfort. The first named gentleman is demo-
GRAFT and a prominent lawyer OF the city. The
others are republicans. Mr.. Brewster submitted a
minority report, examining the question IN Its
legal aspect, and concluding that the law "does
not make it obligatory TO receive
COLORED PUPILS
into the same school buildings and classes with
white pupils. Whether not they will do 90 Is dis
cretionary. But If the Board should decide upon
separate schools 1t Is obligatory upon it to fur-
ing, conveniently located, with competent teach
ers, and with the same facilities for instruction in
all respects as provided for white pupils"
Leaving the legal aspect OF the case, Mr.. Brews-
ter proceeds to give various why the Board
snoa,a proyde separate school FOR the coorsd
structed that they Will beihappler and freer from
annoyances and petty prosecutions in q school by
themselves that many or the white pupils viii
strongly object to
PERSONAL ASSOCIATION IN THE SCHOOLS
with the cOlored children; that though mere pre-
n
providing for the blacks as good facilities in sepa-
rate schools as IN mixed; yet such prejudices and
Board in their efforts to promote the harmonious
working Of their educational system, &c.
section OF the act organizing the Board OF Educa-
tiOn OF the city Of Newburg requiring said Board
to provide schools for colored children" has
bill. There consequently remains no legal
authority In the Board to continue the maintenance
OF separate school for colored children but that
1t must provide free tuition to all children between
the prescribed ages, without respect to
The committee hold that the construction of the
law, which permits the Board to establish separate
schools, Is ''orced and doubtful one,n and would
probably be repudiated by the Courts. The action
OF Boards OF Education in Albany and Paterson is
referred to in support OF their position. In closing
ferring the subject to the Committee on Promo
lions, with power
After discussion the following resolution was
offered as substitute for that presented by the
majority OF the committee
Resolved That the school heretofore set apart for
proper school be admitted TO the schools the city
without regard to race color or previous condition Of
servitude."
This resolution was adopted by the following
vote:-
,o YsAs-Rey Dr., Forsyth, the President n T. Hrseh,
Reilly-6
NAYn-Eugene A. Brewster, Nicholas Wilson,
The Spring vacation OF the schools closes this
week, and next week 1t is expected the colored
children Will be assigned to schools heretofore
closed to them Some interest Is felt in the matter
and much curiosity expressed as to how the mix
ture will "work." Doubtless the darkeys will, for
time, be subjected to various annOyances and per-
haps some OF the pale faces OF supersensive oifac-
tories may retreat to private schools but as In
Albany and other cities, the change will probably
be acquiesced In and come to be regarded as ali
right.