New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-03
CIVIL RIGHTS IN CONNECTICUT.
TWO CoLoRED STUDENTS REFUSED EQUAL Rights
In LILLE SUPPLIED SCHOOL.

TWO coLoRED STUDENTS REFUSED EQUAL RIGHTS
IN TIE sUFPIELD SCHOOL.
Just at this time, when the provision Of
the Civil Rights bill relating to "mixed schools" is ex
citing such wide discussion au incident which has Just
occurred the Literary Institution AZ Suf
field Is OF especial interest. Two coored students have
left the school surprising circumstances and they
send their side OF the story 10 The Springfield Republican,
They formerly slaves In the South and after the
war they North seeking edrcaiion. Beiog des-
OF money they entered school where they could
pay their expenses by labor. They therefore went ~
Sufield School, and for year and half served a.
janitors, reciting regularly with the classes mning
with the students without restraint and eating at the
common table. few days ago the steward surprised
them with the Information that they could no longer
eat at the common table. as six OF the students were
unwilling to have them there The steward proposed
that they eat second table, pay for their
labor and board themselves They decred to do ether
and insisted their rights with the other students
The steward refused to yield and locked them into his
that they could not 10 the breakfast table
When released they sought the principal and told him
they determined leave the school. He entreaed
them to stay and TO accept OF the proposals OF tho
ward saying that he had told the latter to make tho
propositions but had advised him 10 let them
before il they declined to accept them. In conclusion
the students say:
1t may be the effort for our removal from the table
originated With the expressed dislike Of the Fix boys u
had always been upon the most intimate terms with
them ALL and certainly with three OF them had slept
repeatedly together the bed; sometimes In
theirs by invitation and they again In ours IN the same
way. Grant that the plant emanated from them IN
earnest good faith. justice done TO us Have We
no rights to be respected Is the Civil Rights law
necessary IN Northern Connecticut There were but
alternatives left TO remain at the school In
tolerated disgrace, and the other 10 respect our own
manhood and depart. We have elected tho LATER
Commenting upon the letter, The Republican says:
After seeing the boys and hearing their story from
their lips. bound TO for them that they
appear even better advantage In conversation than
in print They talk about their trouble IN the same sim
pie, modest manly way IN which they have written
about it-Ony little more They are surprised ana
grieved but that all. They do not beat malice They
find very difficult believe that any OF their school,
mates have really desired TO insult and pain them
They speak the most kindly and grateful manner OF the
principal indeed, they asked the editor 70 put some
thing In and part This request was
complied WITH for the reason that 1t was thougnt
better to them tell the story Of their adventures IN
search of education at New England school IN tneir
own way and language II will interest some OF cur
readers know that they do not intend to give up So
They have obtained work for the summer After tnef
slender have been repenished they inIend
to " try IL again." Good luck To them!