Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-16

morning publishes the following interview
with the philsnthropist, John +. Slater, Of
Norwich, Conn:
At HOME.
Nestled among hills more hume rous than
those OF ancient Rome, add standing at the
head of the river Thames, than which few
in this part OF the country are more piciur-
esque, toe city of Norwich Is one of the
prettiest in New England. 1t might be
called a city of mill-owners, Tor most of the
many handsome houses with spacious
grounds about them which form an import
ant part OF the attractions of Norwich are
the property Of manufacturers. The best
known and the wsalfhieet of all these
wealthy mill-owners is John F. Slater As
it has been whispered about the town that
Mr.. Slater had in contempt alton the de-
voting of part of his large fortune to char
liable objects, and that, too, in way some
what novel, visit was made to his house in
order if possible to learn the truth of the
matter short drive from the city's center
to what are called the "Plains" brought the
correspondent to a large mansion situated on
the top OF hill whose gentle slope termi-
mates with the street. A circuitous path
skirted en each side by rhrubbery and tall
trees leads 10 the house, from the porch Of
which one has view OF part OF the city
The house itself is large and comfort able
but shows little of the luxury one might
naturally expect to find in the residence of
the wealthiest man in Connecticut. There
il homeIike and cheerful aspect about the
place, however, that makes it attractive.
THE INTERVIEW
Seated in an easy-chair, Mr.. Slater was
reading the New York newspapers and
smoking a cigar He was somewhat sur
prised at the nature of the call and spent
moment or two in trying to imagine how the
reports got abroad. Recovering himself
from his revery he said: "Yes, it is true
that intend to give 81 900, 900 for the pur-
pose of educating the colored people OF the
Southern States. But l hardly feel like
talking upon the subject, for it may result
in the defeat OF my plan. The bill for the
Incorporation Of the fund is now before the
Albany Legislature, and until it becomes a
law question the propriety of abiding to
it, particularly in the public press. Ia some
way, unaccountable to me, it has leaked out
and have been questioned in regard to it
by many persons, to all of whom l have SIM
ply said that there was something in it. but
that | could give no information about it
until later. If, when the bill becomes Law,
the Tribune desires 10 advocate the ideas
therein contained, should be glad to have
such an expression of opinion, but l don't
care to have any parade or any thing of that
nature made over it"
"How long have you been thinking over
and perfecting your plan, Mr.. Slater" the
Tribune correspondent Inquired.
ever since the war;" replied Mr.. Slater,
81 have been thinking over this subject, and
the more have thought of it the more
have been convinced that netting ought
to be done toward educating the millions of
colored people Of our Southern States. My
thoughts on this subject, however, did not
assume definite shape until five or six years
ago. Since that time 1 have spent much
labor in trying to perfect the plan"
"Of course you have discussed this sub
isct with others?"
"Yes, l have. Among those who have
been aware OF my purpose were Mr.. Evarts,
Mr.. Hayes, Mr.. Dodge, in fact all of those
mentioned in the bill, which is at Albany,
we'll as some of my friends in this city,
and also Edward Atkinson. With these
persons the subject has been discussed very
carefully Mr. Hayes and Mr.. Waite have
been at my house talking it over with me-"
"Have you ever Travelled through the South
and in that way become impressed with the
idea that the colored people ought to be edu-
cated?"
NO" said Mr. Slater, 81 have never trav-
eled to any extent in that section Of country,
but my Information on the subject is due in
great measure to books ON the subject and
to intercourse with those who have been
there and seen the needs of these people.
L
saw only one thing to do, and that is to
educate these people who have been 80 re.
Gently emaucipated and endo we'd with the
rights of citizenship. The Peabody pubIica-
tions have been a fertile source of informa-
ton to me on the plan proposed. You
see" added Mr.. Slater, "I'm getting to be an
old man, and having the means at my dis
posal l would like to do something to benefit
humanity if l can. Aud on looking about
al 1.
on this. What needs 10 be done is to ed
ucate teachers, male and female. The great
trouble is that they want thousands of teach
ers. There are large sections in the South
where there is no sort of education"
"Your plan is somewhat like that carried
out by the Peabody fund, is it not?''
Yes; the poor whites are looked after by
the Peabody fund, but the negroes are left
out. 1t is matter of great national interest
that the negroes should be educated, since
they've been made voters. And this plan of
mine provides for the negro and for him
alone. 1t has been special study in the
drawing up of the plan that the money shall
not in any possible way be devoted to any
other object th an the education Of the negro.
So that whatever may happen, the money
still sticks to the colored people"
ado you think there's any doubt about the
bill passing the Albany Lagislature?"
"No," Mr.. Slater replied, II think not OF
course the exemption from taxation is the
main point in the discussion of it before
that body. If it does fail in the Albany
Legis a,ure shall take it to the Connecticut
Legislature. l spoke to Ex Governor Haw-
ley on that very subject, and he said he
would be glad to do anything he could to
have the Connecticut Legislature pass it.
Mr.. Patterson is doing what he can for me |
at Albany. The document has Eeen rewritten |
an4 chauged many times in order 10 have it |
just right, and you've no idea how much |
trouble it has been, but / think it is all |
right now. / have just returned from New
York, where have been looking after its
interest"