The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-30

children, the purity of our families is involved,
and the masses will respond. lApplause]
The following letter, from Rev. Mr.. Bur-
ford, was read by the Secretary:
Letter from Rev. Mr.. Burford.
New ORLEANS. Sept. %, 1875.
Messrs Page Baker and Edward Philips:
Gentlemen-W While I appreciate the honor OF
an invitation to address the mass meeting on the
school question, through motives which arise
from my profession am impelled to decline.
/ am, however, fully in accord with you IN this
grave and important issue. / think the fragrant
outrage and Encouragement OF the publlc
schools should be promptly and severely rebuked
by all good citizens.
For nearly quarter of century our public
schools have been the just pride Of our great
city. The Superin! endents in former years,
when had the honor to be connected with the
schools, were men of the highest order Of intel
lectual and moral culture, possessed of rare ex-
ecutive ability, about whom not even the shadow
of suspicion ever arose as to integrity or quail
fication. The Boards of Directors were taken
from citizens recognized by all for their personal
worth, moral standing, and thorough knowledge
of common schools and education in general.
They were faithful to their trust. They chose
tt achers after competitive examination, and
those only who showed good moral character and
capacity for their profession.
Now, all this is changed lamentable one.
Whether this has arisen from the party in control
of civil affairs, will not aver but 1t is an histori
cal fact that for several years past the Board of
Directors and the Superintendents have so man
aged affairs, that the schools are no longer the
treasure houses of liberal education, but have
deteriorated morally and intellectually. The
schools are not what they should be or what they
oEc3 were.
With all these facts staring us in the face, the
parents and taxpayers have shown great for.
bearance. We see scheme insugnrated which,
H.
in the total destruction and disintogration OF our
time honored school system. Without the least
show of justice true desire to improve or bene-
fit the community in her educational interests,
the present School Board are introducing teach
ers and pupils into the schools who will ce tainly
weaken and paralyze all true education and prove
specially detrimental to the class sought to be
benefited.
believe in common schools and every child
should receive equal advantages in the instruc-
ton given in the same; but, when this present
School Board, purely tor political purposes, seeks
to introduce the colored child into he white
school or to mix them, great wrong is done to
both races. In the present state Of public opin-
The rebuke which ought to be administered
should be thorough and decisive. The civil
authorities who have appointed such corrupt
board should be invoked to remove it, and give
us at once competent and honest board
should we be spurned in our petition, then the
coming Legislature should be memorialized to
remedy so crying an evil. 1t were far better to
uproot the whole school system than to perpetu-
ate the iniquitous one OF the present. Surely
anything which produces hatred, malice, tur-
MOL and strife, is not healthful to the body
polite.
This question is far above political legerde.
main and the Just ofthe arena. 1t shonld be kept
divorced from these. 1t is simply one of public
morals and social life. Keep the fountain pure
and the stream will be Of like nature II the
atmosphere is impure and loaded with disease,
it is the duty OF all to that it is dsinfected.
Gentlemen, you ought to act at once and vigor-
ously in this matter, and not to rest until you
have cleaned this Augean stable. Equity, peace
and happiness for all classes and races. demand
that we shall move forward as a solid phalanx to
destroy this hydra headed monster which inn
perils our social and moral lie. Speak boldly,
positively, and you may bestow blessing upon
knowing the right, dare to maintain it, and our
public schools will prove real boon to our city.
Again, assuring you OF my deep interest in this
question, and wishing you every success in right
ing the wrongs OF patient and suffering public,
s. BuRFonD.
Repeated calls being made for Alexander Dim
TRY, that veteran in the cause of education was
prevailed upon to come forward. In the rich
sonorousness of his voice he called the attention
of his hearers to the once high standard of our
tured by such men as Samuel j. Peters, Alfred
Hennen, Needler r. Jennings, Glendy Burke and
E. Maybin, they were, next to the sanctuary, the
spots revered by our citizens. But what change
is exhibited to. day.
"Who are these men," said he, "who arrogate
to themselves the authority Of destroying our
system of public schools?" The orator then in
perfect thinning sketched the characteristics Of
the board. In artistic word-painting he described
the members OF the School Board, exculpating,
MQaaro InDOafrpat Tracy and ROurOns
from the chastisemeht he inflicted on the other
directors.
He was vociferously applauded throughout, and
the vast crowd readily caught the humorous al
lusions made.
In bold denunciation OF the present action of
the board Prof. Dimitry was vehement in the
expression of his indignation, and his severe
language was applauded to the echo.
After he had closed the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted, after which the
meeting adjourned:
Whereas, it is the opinion of this meeting that
the present Board Of School Directors OF this
city have been false to the important trust COM
tuted their position and powers to political and
partisan purposes; that they have wantonly, and
to the prejudice of the interest of the schools,
removed many competent and experienced teach
ers, ladies of unquestioned ability and high
character, without any just cause, to make way
tent thereby destroying the harmony and eff
cheney of the schools. That personal preferences,
unsupported by worth or capacity, and even base
and immoral motives, have been openly charged,
and remained uncontradicted, as having
influenced the selection OF teachers. That
the appointment Of colored man as professor
of mathematics in the white Boys Central High
SCHOOL, and the determination which has been
boldly avowed by P. B. s. Pinchback, the recog-
nized leader of the colored members of the
School Board, to force the issue in the public
schools, is fraught with great danger to the
peace Of the community, is unwise, and we be-
lieve contrary to the ideas and wishes OF a ma
jority Of the colored people themselves, as well
as the conservative people of all parties; and
whereas, the compulsory admixture Of children
of all races, color and condition in the same
schools, in the same rooms and on the same
benches, is opposed to the principles of human
its, repugnant to the instincts Of both race g, and
is not required by any provision OF the laws or
Constitution Of the State;
And whereas, the said Board is unjustly and
unfairly constituted, the number of colored men,
bers being equal to the number OF white mem
bers of the Board; whereas, the population Of
the city being 145, 72l white and 81 CAT coored;
Be it therefore
Resolced, By the people of New Orleans in
ia1 nit &