Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-30
Tuesday Morning, August 30, 1881.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE. The action recently taken by the trustees l of the University of Tennessee concerning l the admission of colored students to the in- stitution is open to much and severe criti- cism. The University of Tennessee was en- l dowed with the proceeds of the agricultural scrip given to that State, as also to others for the purpose of erecting and endowing ag- ricultural colleges. Congress, in making 1 these donations, expressly provided that no person should be excluded from becoming pupils of these colleges because of race, color or previous condition. Until recently, how eyer, the white youth of Tennessee have en- joyed the privileges of the University unmo- tested by the blacks who have not chosen to avail themselves of the advantages offered. appointed by memberzsf5f the Legislature who are by law authorized to appoint cer- tain number of cadets for each district. The applications of these colored cadets for ad- mission was great shock to the Bourbon trustees, and they set their wits to work to discover some way to circumvent the condi- tions under which the University works. A
 meeting was held and Judge Baxter offered a
 preamble and resolution to the effect that
 colored cadets should be received the same
 as other students, but that the board would
 provide separate buildings and other facili-
 ties for them, so that they would not come
 in contact with the white students The fol-
 lowing was offered by Colonel J. w. Cant as
 a substitute
 Whereas, recognizing as the trustees of the
 University of Tennessee to the fullest extent the obligations imposed on us by law to provide for the instruction and accommoda- tion of colored cadets, when entitled to ad- mission to the University; and also recogniz- ing the obligation and duty of making such instruction and accommodation in all re- spects equal to that furnished to white cadets, and yet separate and apart and frankly confessing our utter inability, for want of time and adequate means, to pro-. vide two sets of buildings, apparatus, libra ries and equipments, and a double corps of instructors, as probably contemplated by the act of the Legislature and believing that any evasion of the law by the mere pretense of a compliance would be trifling with the public, and that tenn porary arrangement with some other school is the best thing we can now do for colored cadets and would temporarily justly meet the requirements of the law until the
 
 for its action in the premises, by which it is hoped permanent provision may be made for the colored race; and
 Whereas, this is the first time that applica- ton has been made to this University for the admission of colored cadets:
 Resolved, That we hereby instruct the f. nance committee to make an arrangement with the trustees and faculty of Fisk Univer- sity, Nashville, for instruction for such colored students as may be appointed under the law by Senators and Representatives as may be able to pass the requisite examination prescribed by the faculty of the University of Tennessee.
 Resolved, Second, that we appropriate money to pay the tuition fees of such colored students in Fisk University.
 Judge Baxter offered the following addi- tional resolution as an amendment
 Be it further resolved, That if any colored person who shall apply for admission into the University and be found qualified and entitled to its privileges shall decline to be transferred to another institution propos- ed above, and insist on his legal right to ad- mission into and instruction by this Univer- sity, he will be received and instructed pur- suant to law.
 The resolution offered by Colonel Cant was adopted, and the amendment offered by Judge Baxter was voted down. By this action the trustees have clearly violated the terms upon which aid was given the Uni versity by the government, and if they per sist the money should revert to the treasury of the United States. It is to be hoped that this attack upon the rights of the colored cit izens of Tennessee will not be suffered to puss without proper notice by the Depart | ment of Justice.