The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-23
THE SCHOOL BOARD.

Il was o'clock when President Eemmes took
the chair and called the meeting to order, quo.
rum present.
Messrs. Semmes, Superintendent. Rogers, J. J.
O'Briep, BARLEY, Coleman, Collins, Craig, Tayer-
weather. Ferguson, Gutheim, Hassinger, La
naux, Mclean, Martinez, Mitchell. Perkins, Sea-
kmap, Swarbrick and Tourne answered to their
names.
Mr.. Bemmes stated that this was called meet
ing, and Its object was to hear the report OF the
committee appointed ct last meeting.
Mr.. Lloyd Coleman, chairman OF the committee
on rules, reported they had 10 changes to make
| In the rulee.
| The secretary, Mr.. Jno. Briep, asked wheth.
or amendments would now be received with re-
ference to the treasurer's duties.
A rule requiring pay rolls to be signed by the
president passed.
Mr.. O'Brien moved that the visiting commit
, tees to the Fifth and Seventh Districts consist
from one to two members. Carried.
An amendment relative to the means of ap-
pointing portresses was passed. and the rules
were then adopted.
Mr.. Archibald Mitchell read the report Of the
select committee:
Your committee, who under resolution
adopted at the last meeting Of the board Of direc-
tors were intrusted with important duties in re-
gard to the discipline, expenses and general eff.
cheney of the publ schools, beg leave to offer
the following report:
Personal observation and universal testimony
concur to establish the fact that public education
has greatly deteriorated since colored and white
children we're admitted unfortunately into the
same schools. 1t il not the province OF this COM
mittee to investigate the cause which prevents
the different races from receiving all the advan.
tages OF public educstion under these circum-
stances, nor s it for to say whether the obiec-
ton to daily social intercourse in our schools,
which exists between the races, is prejudice or
an instinct, but we recognize the fact and that
has to very considerable extent impaired the
efficiency OF our public schools, winch it is the
primary duty OF this board to promote.
THE EVILS WHICH HAVE ARISEN
from the Ill advised action of our predecessors in
forcing the children Of both races into the same
| schools are threefold:
First-From many Of the schools the turbulent
spirit OF the white boys has partially and in
SEINE cases entirely, excluded colored children,
and Of course from all the benefits Of public edu-
cation.
Second-A large number OF the children, of
that class which is most benefited by public
education. have been practically excluded from
its advantages in consequence Of a repugnance
on the part of their parents to permit their chill
dren to mingle socially with another lace.
Thtrd-The greatest drawback upon the eff
cheney of those Of our public schools in which
the two races are mingled, arises from the i'm
possibility OF maintaining discipline without exer-
cising degree Of severity that would destroy or
greatly impair their utility. Good discipline.
manifested by differentiation, obedience and good
order, your committee regard as absolutely es-
sential to the efficacy Of any system Of educa-
ton; but discipline must be maintained without
severity, e.se order is purchased at too high
price. With undue severity school becomes a
hateful prison, and study repulsive from as socia-
ton. Proper discipline can only be maintained
~ wise and kind irmness.
The constant antagonism exhibited ia quarrels,
chickering's and dssensions between pupils of the
diiferent races, both inside and outside OF the
schools, that ostracsm-atten ed with humilia-
tlon-which one race inflicts upon the other and
which cannot be remedled by the best Of teach
ers, convince your committee that the education