The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-27
THE LYNCH LANDS AND MIXED
SCHOOLS.

We subjoin communication from 81. Bon
zano. chairman of the committee appointed
BY the Agricultural and Mechanical College,
to select site for a college. Mr.. Bonzano is
nothing if not plausible and argumentative,
and as good Republican, We may be par
doned the expression-endeavors to present
s.Honest" John Lynch in as decent an attitude
Is possible.
He endeavors to prove that the Lynch prop
erty is in every way the most desirable, and
thinks that its proximity to New Orleans is
one of its greatest recommendations. We are
Of the opinion that the further the youths
white, black, notified or mulatto, who attend
the coliege-can be removed from the city
with all it's allurements and distractions-the
better.
The college itself, under its present auspices,
is a mistake, and cannot but be q miserable
failure Its mixed feature will kill it and
ought to kill it, and we are surprised that in
telligent and respectable white gentlemen in
New Orleans should be lending themselves to
the furthering of project that is calculated
to lead to the most lamentable and baleful
results. Mred schools in this community
cannot but prove an u'a,nired evil, and we are
quite sure no white parent in New Orleans
would degrade his children by sending them to
schools where their associations would be cal
bulated to lower rather than elevate them.
The best and most enlightened colored men
70 for %hoip
children, and they are right; and the last
enunciations of the President on the subject
show that sro. he is opposed to any system
which forces a mixture of the races.
We very much regret to see Mr.. Bonzano
mixed up in this business and are of the
opinion that the college had much better be
permitted to remain in statu quo until the con-
troll of the State reverts to those who are in
terested in her welfare, and whose administra-
ton will command the respect and confidence
of the people.
Rather than countenance the demoralizing
system of mixed schools, we will let the
United States Government keep its money,
and will respectfully decline to make our
selves parties to any such culpable attempt to
override the wishes of the majority Of the
people, In those States where the people are
in favor of mixed schools, they will no doubt
have them. In Louisiana We are opposed to
them, and we do not intend to have them,
though we shall be very careful to see that
our colored youths have every possible educa-
tional advantage. The more they know the
more they will scorn the false guides who have
led their race into the commission of 80 many
errors.
New ORLEANS, Nov. %, 1874.
Editor N. o. Bulletin:
Sir-The BULLETIN of Tuesday refers to the
contemplated purchase of site for the loca-
ton Of the Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege of the State of Louisiana.
Lest you and your readers should be led
into mistake about the Lynch" property,
permit me to say that the idea of selecting it
as site for the Mechanical and Agricultural
College originated with the members of the
Committee on Permanent Location, etc., of
which have the honor to be chairman. The
object was not to serve Mr.. Lynch or any
other person or interest, but the State.
Messrs w. NJ. Burwell, Seymour Straight,
Lieut.. Gov. Antoine, Col. Danl Edwards and
myself, on this committee, felt ourselves COM
petent to take this important matter into con-
sideration, and to recommend plan for the
future and permanent location of this college.
One thing soon brought our members to one
mind of thinking; it was this: The United
States Government hath said: "With this do
nation, gentlemen of the State of Louisiana,
you shall establish an agricultural and
mechanical college, and admit to it-'re-
gsrdless of race, color or previous condition,
the youth of the State" The Legislature of
Louisiana passed an act accepting the dona-
ton. and providing for the organization of the
college. The Governor, in compliance with
the act, appointed a board of control who soon
had to meet
Question No. l. Whereabouts shall this
college be established to do the most good?
Answer. Within, or, as that is not practical
BILE, cs near as possible to the populous city
of New Orleans, which, to its credit be it
said, has q large element of poor white peo-
pie who crave for their childrens education,
and scruple not to send them to any school,
mixed or unmixed, provided they can emerge
from it with the advantages of good educa-
ton.
Question No. 2. Whereabouts is the suita-
BILE place? One suggested the Fair Grounds,
with its numerous tenantless (Exposition)
buildings, another the Cup town. City Park,
monument grounds, the property of the
State, and still another the city property I'M
mediately below that of the State.
The two first properties, being located
within the parish OF Orleans, would not
answer under the act which requires the col
lege to be located in one Of the country par
is6es. The Chalmette State, or the city prop
erty adjacent fact both-answered our
purpose well, except that neither one nor the
other had anything like improvements or
buildings fit for man or beast to dwell in.
The Lynch property, which, with the excep,
ton OF small triangle near the river, and
three intervening arpents on the lower side,
was found to be the connecting link between
the two properties belonging to the city and
State, and it was thought that if this prop
erty, which is in excellent condition and has
ample buildings, could be bought on reason
able terms, we could unite the three proper
ties and have college grounds to the extent of
about 600 acres for very small outlay indeed
This arrangement would not only have given
or4o,.;ro ooTlano orOun1S Int snare ror m