Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-26
THE LIE SEOYNE SCHOOL.
A BenefaetIOn and a Blessing 20 the
COIOFed Race I'm MemPhis-Its
Management.
The Teachers ana their Assistants Ap-
pointed frOns Among Ihe Pupils
,r Great aud Lasting Benefits.

AS we are closing up our work in de-
fense of our public school system, upon
which we are proud TO announce that
public sentiment is almost universally
in favor Of its maintenance as it has
! been and is at present working so ad-
vantageously; and as the education of
the eOlored element has held promi-
nent position in its discussion, we took
occasion yesterday afternoon to visit the
LeMOyne normal and commercial
school, an institution devoted exclusive
ly to the experiment Of preparing and
educating the minds of the cOlOred peo-
pie to fitness for the useful as well as
ordinary pursuits OF life. We found the
pupils assembled il the normal depart
ment, where Rev. DR.. Graves was en-
tertaining them with a discourse, and
in which every pupil, from the young
est to the oldest, seemed intently en-
gagged, aud during which their deport-
ment was Of 3 character most satisfac-
tory as regards the discipline of the Le-
Moyne school. This institution was es-
tablished in 1871, by the American mis-
sionRry association Of New York, and
takes its name from DR.. +. Julius Lee
MOYne, of Washington, Pennsylvania,
who gave twenty thousand dol
lars toward its establishment, Sc
Letting Memphis as the locality
for the school. With this fund the
buildings were erected under the auspices
OF the missionary association, which has
since sustained the school, aided by a
small endowment fund. The insti-
tuition is indebted to others fox do
nations, among them A. S. Bsrnes &
Co., of Chicago, a teachers library OF
fifty volumes, end several gifts Of Orna-
mentation for the buildings and grounds.
The LeNOyne school is controlled by the
following faculty (all White):
A. J. Steele, principal, professor OF
natural sciences, and theory and art Of
teaching.
Miss L. Nj. Barnes, preeeptress, and
teacher Of mathematics.
Mrs. L. NJ. Shepherd, teacher of geo.
graphy and history.
Mrs. n. G. Belt, teacher Of grammar
and penmauship.
Miss. S. A. Stephens, principal Of in
termediaie school.
Miss J. A VanAlen, principal Of pri-
mary school, and teacher Of bOOk-keep-
ing.
Miss S. A. Bradley, teacher of music,
Vocal aOu lHStFumenIAl.
Besides these regular principal and
teachers, on each students day, which
occurs on one day in each term, q fscul-
ty is selected from among the students,
who take entire charge Of the school and
conduct its exercises, the OBJECT being
to test the moral culture of the students,
their executive ability and efficiency,
and their devotion to the work sought
to be attained. Last students day occur
ring on the fifteenth Of April, the fol-
lowing Is the faculty (sll colOred) chosen
on that day:
James Thomas, principal, professor of
natural sciences and art of teaching.
f. Marion, teacher Of mathematics.
Miss Katie Black, teacher OF grammar
and history.
Miss George BOyee, teacher of geo.
grapby, etc.
Mr.. D. w. Washington, director of
classes, etc.
Miss Flora Barker, principal interme-
diate department.
Mr.. JnO. ROuth, principal primary de-
partment Rnd teacher of bookkeeping.
Mr.. Daniel Smith, assistant.
Miss Anna Wright, teacher Of music,
instrumental and vocal.
HCAC AuaDlDAcu UN LAOls CLGEAE-
and what we saw justified the state
ment-that this system has proved most
valuable in the work of training both
the pupil and temporary faculty, as s
special feature of the institution is to
prepare teachers for the public colOred
schools OF the country. The school
buildings, grounds and general appoint
ments are eminently fitted for the work
intended by the founders of the institu-
ton, and in the hands Of Prof Steele,
and his very efficient corps Of assistants,
is making rapid progress toward edu-
eating the cOlOred people, and conse-
quently elevating to position far above
and more tenable than can ever be at
tanned for them by legislation, the asser-
tons Of the promulgatons and advocates
OF the civil rights scheme to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Although our visit
yesterday happened when the regular
exercises of the school were not in pro-
gress, we saw enough to convince US of
the thorough efficiency Of the arrange
ments, and of the most complete sue
cess Of their application to the
work OF training the minds
of the youth of the eoIored race, and we
feel now thoroughly convinced OF the
necessity of maintaining a system of
education for the colored as well as the
white-a system that will embody more
of the advanced studies rather than q
cut-down TO the three RS, as has been
argued should be done by some OF our
correspondents. WepOint with pride to
the LeMOyne school as an institution
devoted to the nOblest of works, and set
it up as an example that our public
schools should be worked to, rather
than depart from its present system.
The nobleness Of its works will be seen
and felt in the not far distant future,
when its graduates shall have entered
upon the work for which they are at
preseOt in training