The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-05-09
Aaarss.e,; 10 Mas NJ Ariie.

publish the following, which, for conven-
fence sake, address to Mss McB: Ex-
plantations being the ord,r of the day,
permit me to add one more. The COM
munlcation TO whicl, yours was an an
swer, was a fragmcntary portion Of a
prirate note, written by me, to a gentle
man friend "a relativc-and was publish
ed without my knowledge or consent.
Had | designed that note for the public
eye, rest assured had found way to
screen form public censure my personal
friends. however widely might have
differed with them in the privacy OF our
own homes. YOU will please to observe
that my authority for what ] state is be
You'd questioning--is unimpcachable.
On no less would.it have been given.
] was at first disposed TO quarrel
with the undue liberty taken
with my information" and inclined to
question the wisdom OF presenting the
subject TO the general reader in that
shape but since 1t has given an opportu-
nifty to "rise and explain to various per-
sons who are more or less intimately
connected with this pulling problem
the school question, ! am resigned. This
is my explanation aud hope it may be
satisfactory to my friends.
Being entirely without the honor OF a
personal acquaintance with you or your
sister. II Is simply out OF the question for
the idea TO be retained that I enter
tanned toward you or them any feeling
whatever. Nor Is there anything in that
article to indicate that did. Nor do
comprehend why you should have seen
| fit TO display in your reply to me. such
an amount of il-fceling. The occasion
demanded. from YOU perhaps, an cXpla-
nation of why you taught without a GER
tificatc, nothing more. You profess 10
have given it, aud you connot know
that il will not be accepted rs satisiac-
tory. No one can deny that You were
perfectly justified in accepting anything
above the usual salary paid to the person
previously occupying your position, that
might have been offered you. But per-
init me to question your claim to the
principalship of a negro school, if that
claim Is intended 10 embrace the colored
schools Of our city. ! scarcely need call
your attention to fact you so
fully understand, but excuse me for re-
minding you here, that Prof Alvord is
retained as principal and superintendent
of the Caro- district schools, and that you
hold your position as a teacher in a ne
gro school, under him. Therefore, Miss
McB., your reputation rs "a principal
OF negro school, will not be
considered as alarmingly imperilled
should you indulge yourself in "a down
hilI' hight. promising, of course, that
you should ever lind an object Oh level
where n lady of Your remarkable attain.
ments could reach it. by this novel kline
of exercise.
Ii had thrust this "insigniicant mat
ter" before the public, Miss McB.. ha,
surely done 80 Tor the purpose of insti
tuling inquiry into 'the ways that ar
dark. and the first thing should have
requested Information upon would have
been this, namely: Why tn,
lady who fills the position o
an educator Of the colorcd clemen
should be paid 81 900 per scholastic yea
OF nine months Tor her services in tina
capacity. while other ladies filling equal,
a responsible positions, and renderin.
equal satisfaction in their work, are pal,
but seven hundred dollars for their ser
vices And this, You see, would hav
been a question not entirely without in
| tere>t 10 every taxpayer in the city.
their compensation Is AN equivalent 70
their services. the services rendered b.,
the party just mentioned, Is lar.el!
overpaid, But, admitting that only {
fair compensation is allowed her, then ",
must come back to the plain fac
that the second parties mentioned arr
doing good work tor which they re'civ
no fair compensation. This would no
have been. nor is ii now, intended rs
piece OF malice toward you, Miss McB.
! but as simple statement of Il fact ap
parent TO all.
The admission OF the colored elemen
into all departments of our schools, j
but Il matter of time, and will not be, Il
predicted by many, the death-kncll o
our tree schools. The laws of lllinoi
give the negro the right to enter on
schools upon IN equal footing with OH
white pupils, and shall be in no wa.
"disiurbed' when they shall have exercis
ed that right.
Mrs. "DELE" a. HARRELL.
Cairo, Sth 1876.