New-York tribune., 1882-04-13

to be EX-Presldent Hayes, Chlef-Justlce Waite,
President Gilman, of Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity the Rev. DIR. Phillips Brooks, of Boston,
Governor Coauitt, of Georgia, James p. Boyce,
of Kentucky, William A. Slater of Norwich,
the son of the gyer of the fund, and John A.
Stewart, William Z. Dodge and Morris X.
Jesup, of this city. Ex-Prcsident Hayes is to
be the first president. Mr.. Slater has written
O letter giving his reasons for establishing the
fund and making suggestions as to the ways
in which il shall be employed.
DETAILS OF MR.. SKATERS PLAN.
A TALK WITH THE GIvER THE FUND AT HIS
HOME.
IrRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE rRIBuSEI
NORWICH. Conn, April 11.-Nestled among hills
more numerous than those of ancient Rome, and
standing Mt the head of the River Thames, than
which few in this part of the country are moro
picturesque the City of Norwich in one OF the prett
est in New England. 1t might be called a ci'y OK
mi miIl-owners, for most of the many handsome
houses with spacious grounds about them "hicn
form an important part of the attractions OF Nor
wich are the property of manufacturers. The best
known and the wealthies st Of all these wealthy
mill-owners is John F. Slater. AS it has been
whispercd about the town that Mr. Slater had IN
contemplation the devoting of part OF MS large
fortune TO charitable Objects and that too IN way
some what novel, visit was made 10 MS mousse Ia
order if possible to learn the truth OF the matter
A short drive from the city's centre TO what are
called the Plains brought The TRIBUNE corre-
snondent to a large mansion situated on the top OK
hill whose gentle slope terminates with the street.
circuitous path skirted on each side by SHRUB
berry and tall trees leads to the house, from tne
porch of which one has view vi "
part of the city. The hIuSe itseh
large and comfortable but shows little of the lux
ury one might naturally expect to ind IN the resi-
dence of the wealthiest man in Connecticut. There
is homeike and cheerful aspect about the place.
however that makes it attractive.
Seated in an easy-char Mr.. Slater was reading the
York newspapers and smoking cigar. he
WAS somewhat surprised at the nature OF the can
and spent a moment OF two in trying to imagine
how the reports got abroad. Recovering himself
from his rvery he said: Yes, 1t
true that | intend to give one million DOL
lars for the purpose of educating the colored peo-
ne 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 ihcorpor
alton of the fund is now before the Albany Legisa-
ture and until il becomes law question the pro-
priety of aludng 10 it, particularly IN the. pubho
press. In some way, unaccountable 10 me, IL mas
leaked out and have been questioned In regard 10
It by many persons to all of whom have SIMPLY
said that there something In 1t, but that lco"io
give no Information about it until later. II, when
the bill becomes law, The TRIBUNE desires 10
advocate the ideas therein contained, shouid Do
Glad TO have snch an expression OF opinion, but
don't care to have any parade or anything OF thar
nature made over It,"
..How long have you been thinking over and per.
respondent inquired.
Ever since the war;" replied Mr.. Slater. II have
hoon thinking over this subject and the more have
thought of 1T the more have been convinced thai
something ought to be done toward educating the
millions Of coored people of our Southern STATES
Nv tbourbts on this subject. however, did not as
snme definite shape until five or SIX years ago.
Since that time have spent much labor Ill trying
to perfect the plan" IA.
"Of course you have discussed TINS suuJec' Will
othersY
"yes have Among those who have been aware
of INV purpose were Mr.. Evarts. MI Hayes MI
Dodge. in fact all of those mentioned IN the oh'
which is at Albany as well as some Oh nJ
friends in this city. and also Edward Atkihs'".
With these persons the subject has been discussed
very carefully Mr.. Hayes and MI Walte nave
been ut my house talking 1t over with me-
"Uavc Won ever travelled through the South and
!, that way become impressed with the idea thai
the coIored people ought to be educated "
"Non said Mr.. Slater 4" I have never travelled
to any extent IN that section OF the country, Dus
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. The more thought Of the subject
the more | saw only one thing 10 90
and flat is to educate these people who
have been 80 recently emancipated and endowed
with the rights Of citizenship. The Peabody publ
cations have been fertile source OF information 70
me on the plan proposed"
"You seen added Mr. Slater, :" Pm getting to be
an old man, and having the means at my disposai
would like to do something to benefit humanity IL
can. And on looking about NE my thoughts seemed
70 fosten on nothing as on this. What needs to DO
done is to educate teachers, male aud 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 ont Dy
the Peabody fund, is it notT
ayes. the poor whites are looked after by the
Peabody fund. but the negroes are left out IL is
matter of great National interest that the negroes
sbould be educated since they've been made voters.
And this plan of mine provides for the negro and
for him alone IL has been q special stu iy IN the
drawing ND of the plan that the money shall not IN
anv nossibIe way be devoted to any other object
than the education of the negro SO that whatever
may happen the money still sticks TO the colored
people" -,
:. M Won think there's any doubt about the bill