National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-08
An Apr OpriatiOn Asked Of Congress for
Their Support

An Apr opriation Asked Of Congress for
Their Support.
The action of the House of Representatives,
striking out the school clause in the civil rights
bill, following so closely upon that OF the same
body in appropriating $5GS65 for the erection and
completion of q public school in Georgetown for
white children, and striking out the provision
giving the colored schools their proportion under
an existing act Of Congress, approved July %,
1860 is the cause Of considerable apprehension on
the part Of the cOlored people Of this District.
In furtherance Of looking after this particular
interest, a number Of our most respectable and
active cOlored citizens met Saturday night at the
residence Of Mr.. Henry johnson, chairman sub
board colored schools, to consult as to the best
method Of having existing laws faithfully exc.
cuted. AT the request OF those present Messrs.
Brooks and johnson gave history OF the new
school building in Georgetown, which, they stated
had for its corner stone SO 900 bequeathed by ne
gro hating citizen Of Georgetown to educate white
come amenable to the law Of Congress before
referred to until It was borrowed and expended
for school purposes in the name Of the District
to secure the loan. The trustees representing the
cOlored schools have been met in their efforts to
secure the proportion due them with every con-
ceivRble obstacle, and 1t is now proposed, as Mr..
johnson remarked, to get Congress to crcumvent
its own law in order to prevent paying what is
due to support the cOlOred schools.
The attention of the gentlemen present was
also directed to the fact that the cOlored schools
have no revenue Of support other than that pro-
Vided for in the act Of 1855, and If the colored
schools fail to receive that it will the
closing Of the public schools for colored children
in Georgetown, as the building now occupied by
them is little less than a barn. its condition being
such will neeessitate, in short time, its being
abandoned for school purposes.
Mr. Brooks remarked that the position as
sumed by the trustees for colOred schools was ad-
mitted by the Senate Committee to be proper and
just, and the only reason why they did not amend
the bill was through fear of endangering its
mas in of
After general discussion the following
preamble and resolutions were unanimously
Whereas the act of Congress, entitled IAN act
relating to the public schools of the District OF
Columbia" approved July q, 1856, provides for
Tor the support of the public schools In the cities
Of Washington and Georgetown; and whereas
Congress has by said act required Of said cities to
pay a Just proportion of ''all expenditures for
educational purposes, for the support Of the col
ored schools including the cost Of sites, buildings
and all other expenditures; and whereas the
4I4s" appropriating $50 S65 for the completion Of
a new school building in the city Of Georgetown,
and failed to provide for the amount due for the
support of the colored schools, viz so, 346: and
whereas the existence and support of the public
colOred schools Of the cities Of Washington and
Georgetown is contingent upon the expenditure
Of public money for support Of the white schools
of said cities, and an allowance in accordance
with the act Of 1866 for the support OF the coOred
schools; therefore
Resolved, That we respectfully and most ur-
gently petition the Senate of the United States
20 RmendEthe ''bill H. r. 4,44s" and provide, in
accordance with the act OF 1866, that the further
sum OF SO $40 be appropriated Tor the support OF
the cOlored schools OF Georgetown.
RESOLVED, That to pass said bill, depriying the
eolored schools Of the amount due under the act
Of 1866 would be fatal to the existence and growth
Of said schools, as they are only supported by
such proportional amounts of money as are eX-
pended in support Of the white schools.
Res0iped, That the setting aside Of the pro-
visions Of the act of 1885, whereby the educa-
tional interest Of the minority is protected, upon
the plea of emergency, is a most dangerous pre-
cecent, and in this particular case is not a pre-
sentatiOn of facts.
Resolved, That Congress having passed the act
Of 1896 after mature consideration, and the cities
of Washington and Georgetown having supported
the public schools for both white and cOlored
satisfaction TO both the majority and minority, 1t
is peculiarly unfortunate to have its provisions
set aside at this time, and will render the Com
missioneTs of the District of Columbia pOwerless
TO protect the educational interest of the minor
ity in this matter by taking the disbursement Of
the money appropriated from them and placing
II in the hands Of the United States Commits
siOner of Education for the special purpose Of de-
nyiDg the claims Of the colored schools under the
act OF 1866.
Resolved, That under the first provisions Of the
act before cited system of public schools for col
ored children in the cities Of Washington and
Georgetown has been provided which equals any
in the country and is far superior to any provided
for eOlored children in the United States where
there are separate schools, which fact is solely
attributable to the act Of 1855 equally dividing
the funds for the support of the white and coored
schools.