The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-10
In'tructing coIOred children than white

1 u
Secondly. Colored schools in contradis-
tlnctIoD from white schools exist under our
system solely on the principle that the races
should he educated separately. IL is there
lore glariDgly inconsistent and unjust to
employ white to the exclusion OF colored
teachers in colOred schools; indeed. as
much so as II would be TO employ colored
teachers In white schools to the exclusion
Of competent white teachers.
Thirdly. Being required to pay certain
tax TO maintain The schools, ii s. bot just
that a reasonable proportion OF this fund be
expended in employing cOlored teachers in
our colored schools. Nothing seems more
simple and reasonable TO candid minds.
Otherwise ii is taxstiOn with no right TO
enjoy the full benefits OF the means thus
raised.
In the fourth place, n our colored young
men and women OF education are TO be de-
MED the privilege OF teaching IN colored as
well as in white schools, their calling as
teachers Is gone unless they go to some
other locality to fnd employment. But as
long "a white teachers ill the positions
which, on the principle OF the separaieness
Of the races, belong rightfully to c0lored
teachers, this is most unjust.
For these reasons it Is wise, Just, eXpedi-
ent, and consistent to employ eolored teach
ers in all the colored public schools OF this
city.
But we ask for one thing more. We de-
sire our colored children to pursue identi-
caly the same course OF instruction, with
out omission or breaks, which the white
children OF this city take IN the white pub
lie schools.
You cannot do justice to us and to your
"A, .,I; - fsir.
and refuse this reasonable request.
We sincerely trust that your action in
disposing OF this petition may be such that
it can be approved OF by intelligent
and liberal men everywhere. and, above
all, sanctioned by Him who has said, "Do
unto others as We would that they should
do unto you"
All OF which is respectfully submitted by
your obcdient servants.
Walter II. Brooks, chairman; o. VI. Stew
art. T. W. Cain, J. f. Farrar, Il. Wells,
4. p. Brooks, II. w. johnson, L. +. Tur-
ner, j. A. Taylor.
The committee yesterday, having care
fully considered the question, presented
the following report;
RICHMOND, Va, June 90, 1880.
10 the School Board:
Gentlemen. We, the undersigned.
special committee 10 whom was referred the
petition presented by the Rev. W. II.
Brooks and other colored citizens OF this
city at the last meeting OF the Board, re-
questing the appointment OF colOred teach
ers in all the colored schools OF the city,
have the honor 10 report:
The records OF the School Board for the
year 1870 show that in the Reorganization
OF the system under the administration OF
the then new Superintendent OF Schools,
the late James II. BinfOrd, large number
OF the colored and white teachers had been
employed under the administration of his
predecessors. who were non-resdents of
the city and Of the State, and in this con-
nectiOn the following regulation was adOp-
ted By the Board-yiz.:
"NO person shall be employed 10 teach
IL the public schools OF Richmond who il
not known to be permanent resident Of
the city"
Under that rule all the nonresident
teachers. both white and colored, were
dropped from the roll.
Teachers examinations were then held.
and very few cOlored residents were found
competent TO teach, only six being en-
poyed that year. In the following school
wear lS7l-'72 the Board organized the
schools Into groups.
Nine colored teachers were assigned 10 the
Navy-H group OF colored schools. White
teachers were assigned 10 the Baker and
Valley cOlOred groups. For many years
thereafter the Board found it difficult to
| fill vacancies made by cOiOred teachers,
while no difficulty has ever been expert
enced in Keeping up the supply OF whlte
! teachers for COlOTed schools.
There are at this time GS female graduates
OF the Richmond High School, and enly ID
! females ard males who are graduates OF
the Richmond colOred Normal School, and
| from whom applications for teachers posi-
tions are now only considered. the special
teachers examination having been sus-
pended ) out OF the % colOred graduates
will be called into service for the coming seS-
sion. .3 for additional schools AT Navy-Hill
oroup and 10 ill vacancies. Thlrty-tWo
white teachers are at this time in service a.
teachers in other cOlOred schools, all OF
whom we believe have done faithful and
conscientious work for many wears past,
and, as the results Of the last final eXamlna-
tiOn indicate, will continue In the same
course.
Inasmuch aS these experienced teachers
have proved acceptable, it would be greatly
detrimental &c the system 10 replace them
with inexperienced cOlored teachers, admit
ting that sufficient number Of such
| colored teachers could be obtained in this
CITY: and further, we do not agree with the
neiitioners that " colored teachers can more
successfully and satisfactorily discipline and
instruct colored scholars than white teachers
can" -,
We are informed it is not the wish OF all
the colored people OF this city TO have their
children instructed by cOlored teachers; IN
fact we are OF opinion that majority OF the
colored people prefer white teachers; ara
we cannot agree that it would be either
ploper or beneficial to admit strict color
| line in this matter.
TO accept such principle as applicable
| 10 the cOlored schools would go far towards
recognizing IL in the other relations OF the
| races.
we feel ii to be the duty OF the School
Board 20 administer the schools without re-
spect TO such considerations, 0ut soleV lor
the best interests OF the pupils VINO are re-
ceivus the benefit OF puOlIc INSTRUCTION.
Your committee therefore recommend the
adonyion OF the following resolutions
ReSolred, !. That the Board deem II M
expedient and impoltic to change IT. pom,
cy in respect 10 teachers In the co'oreu
| schools.
ReSoiued, .. That the secretary be re-
ouested to inform Rev. w. II. brooks'
chairman, OF the action OF The Board.
Respectfully submitted.
:. =. MOORE,
Chairman OF Committee.
! The yeDort was discussed and unapi-
mously adopted.
| ELECTION or TEACHERS.
| The Board next proceeded to the election
OF teachers. The following were selected
W. f. Fox. J. II. Cunningham, George K.