National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.

JEROME A. JOHNSON RISES TO EXPLAIN.
10 ne Editor qrAe National RsrabifeoSS
siRi In defending or opposing measures which
bring about local agitation, particularly anon q
the colored people Of this District, have been
careful to treat my opponents, or those opposn q
my views, with proper courtesy, and In man
ner becoming the true gentleman. deaf not by
any eansin billlngsgatc or vItuperation; neither
can l. consistently with true manly feelings, fail
to bcstow Justice where justice Ia due.
wiz opponents Individually or collectively,
30 with the press, honestly deprecate the s,n :
cling out OF q particular paper or papers for
abuse or censure on account Of any position as
sumeu upon any questions relating TO the colored
citizens OF the District. ON the other hand, IL "a
~ ny mtn opinion that newspaper, In order TO
clalIn anu demand the respect, confidence and
support OF the community, should treat that
community honestly, fairly and impartially, hay-
,hg ~ view one grand object-the promotion OF
people as against 'monopolists," "rings" or
NY object In addressing you this oommunica.
to be an error, Wherein Your informant in GIVING
snoit biographies OF gentlemen whose names
appeared attached 70 certain address petition
msn, ~ ,m reform" IN the present arrange
Bowen was especially active In his Opposition 10
prevent the colored schools from being placed
u ,un we local government &c. Perhaps your
I
ate bill providing for the appointment Of thirteen
| trustees, ten from the city OF Washington aud
tnIee from Georgetown, treasurer, secretary
anu olher necessary officers and teachers, and a
transfer OF said schools to the present local gov
eminent, thereby giving the appointing power TO
the Governor, was matured and drawn up by
MT. Holland, Mr.. Syphax and myself. The bill
was offered In the Senate referred 10 the Districi
committee, reported upon favorably and passed
20 second reading. In quietly pressing this
Dnl we uld not thipk II necessary to "bore" our
nOnOreu Governor with m nj lon hat xxa
were moving heaven and earth" TO have the
colored schools placed under his Jurisdiction.
We had no axes TO grind," no nercenary mo-
ives In view; but We were confident that by
bringing about transfer the colored citizens OF
the District would be afforded ample opportunity
70 recommend for trustees OF their schools their
best men-educated men-men who were com.
petent 70 discharge every duty and responsibility
OF an educational nature. Had this been done
am confident that all agitations and chickering's
that have characterized this school board for the
past three years would have ceased. Because
| the best white and best colored citizens OF the
District could have consistently opposed unne.
cessary agitation, upon the ground that the edu.
Gated and experienced controlled the schools,
| not the scavenger and the ignorant. While we
were passing the bill above referred to we did
not say to the Governor that certain colored men
| IN authority were opposed to It yea, the yery
transfer. ~'''s '"'
Tnis can verify at any time. can say fol
consulting with him before the bill was placed
| 10 senator's possession he expressed himself
entirely satisfied with Its provisions, principally
be under the Immediate personal snperylsion OF
the District government and the Governor. Dur
ing the tendency OF this bill, to our astonlsh
mel new 6ll" was presented in the Hous,
completely the phase OF the original bill. u
Know from personal knowledge the Senate bill
was comoatted and opposed purely upon selfish
grounds, and through personal motives by thos,
| VINO now write themselves up,r and claim tbs