New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-13
TALKS WITH THE TRUSTEES.


TALKS WITH THE TRUSTEES.
VIEWS OF JOHN A. STEWART, MORRIS X. JEsUP AND
WILLIAM 4. DODGE CONCERNING MIR. SKATERS
PLAN.
A TRIBUNE reporter called on the New-York
trustees of the proposed fund to educate the coored
people of the South to get their views in regard to
Mr. Saters plan. John A. Stewart president OF
the United States Trust Company, said in reply to
the inquiries which were made of him:
IF you have seen the bill / hardly think any
thing additional can be said the subject, for that
covers the ground pretty eilectually. | will say,
however, that believe great good will he accom-
plished by this fund We owe great deal TO me
black race in this country We've emancipated
them and given them the rights OF citizenship, and
certainly ought TO be willing 10 educate theh'
DO you think there will be difficulty in getting
the fund exempt from taxationi" inquired the re-
1t seems TO me-" said Mr.. Stewart, that the
Legislature can DO no better thing than TO second
such magnificent gift by exempting it from tax
alton think it's Mr.. Slater's aim to do for the
black race what Mr. Peabody has endoavored to do
for both races" -.
the Legislature !" ~
at has been intimatcd that there will he some
opposition at Albany in regard to eyeIhpahg or ~
they would not relieve it from taxation, wOunh
give il. If the great stare of New-l0rk cant 90
that much for such q consideration think there's
very poor inducenent for wealthy men to devote
their wealth to such purposes. Mr. Slater gives MS
money the trustees give their time and attention 10
If cratuitously, and ! don't see how the people OF
the S ate can do less than exempt 1t from
taxation. It's a very rare thing that you
find man who is willing to give away such sum
as thai for such ali unselflsh end III doesn't nap.
pen more than once in generation. It's a great
thing and will do immense good"
When did you first know about it y
"Mr Slater first spoke to me about it year
ago.
Why is it that the charter Is taken out in New
"We | don't suppose it was done for any par
tcular reason unless IT be that this is the great
financial centre. and that three of the trustees are
New-YOrk residents It's certainly great compl-
ment to this State"
Morris X. Jcsup, the well-known banker. who is a
member of the Board of Trustees, was called upon
by the reporter.
al consider this act of Mr.. Slater" said Mr.. Jesup.
60 one OF the noblest things that can be done 1t is
destined to make thorough revolution III pubic
charities | have known Mr.. Slater for twenty
years and in the course of that tlne we have talked
together a great deal on the subject OF charities.
This is certainly one OF the grandest OF the ag" For
my part consider it great honor to the stat. of
New-York that Connecticut man should bring TINS
into State and before our Legislature. The fund
negro, a thing greatly to be desired now that he
has been made a citizen with full rights.
And IT strikes me that this is just rs important TO
the blacks as the Peabody fund Is to the whites.
There is no doubt that if the money is Judicionsly
managed great results will follow. / should ne
very sorry if the bill met with any opposition at
Albany though there have been intlmatlOns TO that
effect on the part of officials there. 1t does to
me that the great STATE OF New-9ork cannot afford
William L. Dodge W no Is also one OF the trust es,
remarked Il have just returned from, five
weeks trip in the SontE where Pve had
occasion to see the practical effect of education
ON the Southern negro, ana IT'S wonderful
In regard to this plan of Mir: Skaters, Eye known
about it for two years, during which time we've
had several talks the subject. There's really
nothing so important as that which he proposes to
do. Under tins plan fifty to, seveniy-iive teachers
will hp MA
positions and i'll pulpits. hope they'll get the bill
through the Legislature My visit III the south has
still further convinced me that there's nothing SO
important as the education of the coored people
Edward Atkinson, of Boston, with whom Mr..
Slater has talked i'll reference TO his proposed glt
and in regard TO the general condition OF the South,
Was in tins city day or two ago and called
upon at tie Filth Avenue Hotel by a TRIBUNE re-.
porter can only express general convection Ii
money in such a way To bring about the greatest
good have travelled i'll the south to some extent
and am pretty familiar win me CONDITION OF me
country and OF the people. tell you
out of my own experience that the
results Of slavery will last for twenty-five years, per-
haps 100 years. There's fearful state of thln-s
there The want of knowledge of affairs among tie
blacks as we'll whites Is sorely felt. lie chief
dittculty among the blacks-a very large number
of whom earn large wages III ratio To Their wants-
is that there are savings banks and no methods
open to them Tor using small savings III they keep
the money about them 1t isa constant source OF
danger. Therefore they spend 1t as fast as they
earn it, And yet there is SUFFICIENT number OF ex-
captions this rule; in fact, exceptions
erous as to prove that if the blacks had half
chance to save, their savings would be very
large The unfortunate history of the Freed
mems Savings Bank proves this. TO say nothing OF
the Justice OF the clam OF deposltOrs mlsed they
were by "a National Savings Bank in name and not
in fact 1t would be one OF The most sagacious and
profitable of the surplus revenue 10 pay that
debt III full"
"You are in hearty sympathy with Mr.. Skaters
plan, are you nOtW
"Certainly, am. 1t Will do great good for the
colored peope, vino can be made of great value 10
our country. Any number OF ordinary immigrants
VINO come 10 our shores from abroad, had they
been subjected 10 the trials the blacks
would not have made One-half the progress these
colored people have made sluce their emancipation
They have a wonderful capacity 10 adapt themselves
t. adverse circumstances; they have great vitality,
and they are able TO maintain themselves and 10
become OF the most productive classes IN the
community"
VIRGINIA VEIEKANS AT TRENTON.