Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-14
PUBLIC SCHOOL. INTERESTS.
A Vote ON the Color Question.

PUBLIC SCHOOL INTERF.STS,
A Vote ON the Color Question.
AFTER A LIVELY DISCUSSION BY THE TRUSTEES
THREE roTK FOR AND THIRTEEN AGAINST MIXED
ScHo0LS-THE QUESTION LIKELY TO GET INFO
coURT-THE HOLIDAY QUESTION, ETC.
The board OF public school trustees met last
evening, Mr. Matthews presiding and Mr.. c. B.
Rheem secretary. communication was received
from the Commissioners inciosng complaint OF
James Lee that the roof OF his house in School
street had been damaged by miSchievouS boys:
referred to fourth district sub board. Also
one tnciosiDg appeal OF the Garfield Me-
mortal Hospital Association; referred to the
Al o one from the superintendent of schools OF
Cleveland, asking that the subject OF the Garfield
Monument Fund be laid before teachers and pu-
pills. Mr.. Lovej0y moved that the secretary be re.
quested TO reply, expressing sympathy with the
movement. and suggesting that as they are en-
gagged In helping local memorial they cannot aid
Notice WIS given that the semi-annuaI en-
animation OF teachers would take place Satur-
day.
TEACHERSHIPs
Applications from the following persons for
teachershipS were presented: Mamie II. Griffin,
Florence Pike Iva A. Woodward, Emma F. Dun
lop. Van Buren, Hillyard, Mary McC. Sinclair,
George F. NJ. Waters, and George Harris.
The resignation OF Chas. A. Coldwel, seventh
grade, first DIVISION was received and accepted.
The second division reported assignments and
transfers follows: Miss n. II. McCauSlen to
third grade. and F. s. Harrison. first grade The
third division reported the following: Florence
Freyh0id. from fourth to first grade. vice Miss S.
L. Iindall promoted from fist to fourth grade.
The superintendent abstract OF reports for
November was submitted, showing the num-
Der OF pupils enrolled "a o5 teachers employed,
1885, eases Of IT. tarciness s,5s5 cases Of corporal
punishment, 81; dismissed, 10.
Inc committee on rules reported adversely on
an amendment relative to SuSpending the rules;
adopted
THE HOLIDAY QUESTION.
MT Brown moved that the rule relating to the
Christmas holidays, be construed to include Tues
day, January Sd.
Mr. Middleton asked If they wished him to read
the list of holidays; it is perfectly fearful.
MIR: LOvejoy.-"We always require the day follow
Ing New Year to digest. How is it among the
bankers?"
Mr.. Middleton.-s'We don't need it. and this year
we have gone to Congress for authority to keen
Monday" He moved that the studies be resumed
On Tuesday, January Sd; carried-yeaS 3, nays Z.
THE COLOR QUESTION.
The reports Of the committee on rules On the
communication OF J. M. Gregory, complaining OF
the action OF the teacher and the subboard of the
seventh division in excluding his child from the
Gill building, 9th and POmerOy Streets,) were
taken up. The majority report was made at the
October meeting, and it was to the effect that the
law contemplated separate schools, and therefore
the exclusion of Mr. Gregorys child was prOoer
The minority report made by Mr.. Smith at the last
meeting provided that the child Should go in the
school.
Mr. Smith briefly opened the discussion in favor
Mr.. Wilkinson followed on the same side, saying
relic OF bar6arism This was a N's govern,
now no man could be debarred of his privileges by
reason OF his color. The board should not pander
to preJudice-to the inhuman prejudice-of caste.
mt rof GNrpr p},i IN
this school? The Irish, the Germans the Italians
go to these schools Why should the colored
amendments wiped out all distinction on ac-
count Of color 1t was too late to say that
the l4th amendment did not apply Mr. Wilkinson
number of states He said that this question
was bound to come, and it did come. In Pennsyl-
vania there wasa special act on the subject This
was an important matter and though he knew the
board would vote down the report, he intended to
I'LL them full OF the law and the gospel, and then
relation to the schools in the District and claimed
that the law relating to separate schools was
had bill introduced in the legislature OF the
District, which he said was defeated by the vote
of a colored member (Mr. John II. Brooks, who
proved recreant to the interests OF his race Read
ing other decisions he said that the colored men
were not required to appeal to their color; the
amendments had wiped out the word white, and
that II they do not obtain their rights under the
amendments they would go to the courts. They
races 1t IS stated that the present rule is sane
toned by Congress- but he held the amendments
were as binding on Congress as on the states, and
before they could pass law they must have the
power: 1t Is not enough that the cOlored people
should have the best schools. but they must have
the right to go into any school.
Mr.. WOrmley said that he would vote for the
minority report
Mr.. Curtis remarked that while he agreed with
much that had been said he would vote for the
majority report. 1t was now for this board to say
that the law providing for separate schools
constitutiOnal-that was question for the courts.
There was question, however, which had not
been discussed as to the result. The white and
colored schools were. all to-day in highly salts
factory condition, and II this minority report was
adopted would sufficient good follow it to warrant
the action? II the cOlored schools were inefficient
there would be some occasion tor action, but they
were equal to the white schools and he could not
ma IL IN MS heart to bring calamity on either
branch of the schools
settled by the rules They had, heretofore, had
the best OF feeling in the board, and the schools
could not be improved much. The colored people,
this question on the board. They would be viz
tually destroying the schools In answer to Mr..
Wilkinson as to the law, Mr.. Brown said that the
18th amendment applied to the powers OF states,
and not to Congress.
Mr.. Dodge endorsed the remarks OF Mt Curtis,
and remarked that to press this question would
damage the cause OF education in the south as wei
as here. There was a disposition to aid in edu-
race would reap most OF the Dement'S, but there is
danger In pressing such question. The colored
race here have equal advantages with the
wh1tes-the same style OF school houses, the
same grades of schools and an efficient
corps Of instructors There is no more dis
elimination shown than is shown by every head
OF family when he directs that one part OF the
family should sleep in one apartment and another
in another.
MI. Brooks said this was q most important uues-
ton. and, sketchiHg the cOlOred schools, referring
to their eStabli shment nineteen years ago. said
their growth had been rapid beyond the expecta-
tons OF the most sanguine friends of the race.
Now there Is 100000 paid annually to the teach
ers. This sum went out among the colored people
He referred to the statement to his action in the
legislature, and remarked that what he did was
for the best interests OF the He had informed
Mr. Gregory that IL he desired to test the question
he would aid him. 1t was policy now for them as
a race not to force this question. II five white
children were admitted into each colored school,
the whites, having a majority in the board, might
put out all the cOlOred teachers.
Mi. Smith regretted the course of Mf. Brooks, and
said the same objection had been made as to the
enects OF the civil rights bill but experience had
proved the fallacy Of such objection,
Mr.. Wormley said he did not believe that 100
colored children would go into the white schools
Mr.. Matthews read the laws on the subject and
said the committee based their action on the laws
as revised In 1874 and he referred to the present
fine condition of the schools. He cited in support
oft ha off ho 81