The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-04-11

to establish separate schools for COlOTed children
and he undoubtedly thinks himself representing
the great mass Of the colored people OF the State
upon this floor when he undertakes to break
down the separate ColoTed schools that now exist
In many of our cities and towns and which have
proven such a blessing to the colOTed children
growing up In them and TO the whole communi.
ty in which they afterwards reside. He talks OF
mass meetings Of eol0red people demanding the
abolition of COored schools, al Of numerous let.
ters received by himself from intelligent colored
men throughout the State demanding the same
But let me assure him that have great reason to
believe, in regard to the population of cOlored
people whom he represents. that II is vast mi
nority of the whole Of this class In Ohio know
personally Of only one meeting for this purpose
At this meeting, organized and controlled by a
well known few colOred citizens this city, there
we're gOOdly number who opposed the object OF
the meeting, but who we're refused hearing; and
from personal communication with many other
COOred residents here, / know these last repre-.
sented very large proportion Of the educated
colOred people Of Columbus. From all parts of
the State others and myself have received letters.
as we'll as the honorable gentleman, and they
have come from representative ColOred men men
of the greatest intelligence and influence among
them many Of them ministers and teachers and
sentiment Of the State, asking for the passage OF
my bill, and especially approving this feature Of
the bill. hold such letter In my hands now.
received only this morning, which most emphat-
iCally opposes what would be effected II the
amendment were adopted and the bill then
passed, and as warmly approves my hill in its
present shape. The amendment would in effect
do away with all separate schools in the state,
would open up all the schools everywhere to
white and coOred children together and pro-
duCe radical change and much confusion and
probably great injury to the educational inter
ests Of both whites and blacks In nearly every
part Of the State will go as far as any other
gentleman on this n3or, OF any where else, in the
support of any intelligent measures which will
tend to elevate the colOIed population Of the
State TO higher social and intellectual position.
and II thought the breaking down of the color
line in the schools would be the best way TO do
this, | would Cheerfuly assist in doingit; but
when. as an educator Of large experience. and
that Judgment is 20 largely approved by intelli.
gent men, among both whites and Colored, can
not lend my influence and my vote to do that
which for the sake Of mere theoretical senti.
ment would inflCt so great present and pros
peCtive evil upon both the white and COlored
children in our schools. My bill, on the contra.
Ty while 1t requires equal provisions for all the
children of the State leaves Il to the public senti
ment of each local community, through its board
of education, to determine how thisShall be done;
whether through mixed schools or through sepa-
rate schools for whites and blacks Believing
this to be movement in the right direction to
secure better educational advantages for the col.
ored youth of Ohio, and one which will secure
the advancement Of the Colored people more
speedily and more certainly than the gentleman
from Noble. hope his amendment n ay not pre-.
vail and that the bill may pass as It has been re.
ported back:by the committee.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Worley's address, the
vote was taken which resulted as above. Many
members from both sides Of the House compli.
mented the Professor on his able effort,