The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-10-02
Apropos to the Difficulty Among Our
bridgeport Seighb0rs on the Color

Line In kchOOls, W. -. II
WASHINGTON, September 20,-The local
School Board held an interesting meeting
last night, ut which tho color question In
the schools was discussed. Following Is d !
synopsis Of the proceedings:
Mr.. Warner reported from the Sixth
Division. that no Ind transferred the child
Of Professor Gregory from the Prescott
School, not, however, on the ground Of
color, but public policy, for thifty:one Of
the pupils had left, and others were pre-.
pairing TO leave. The President said let.
Ter Ind been received from Professor Jus.
Gregory OH the subject, which, after stating
that Ills son had been admitted 10 tho
school In the Prescott Building, which Ii
the one nearest his place Of residence, and
reciting facts attending his rrcen.
exclusion from tho school,; without
cause tlat the writer "can conceive Of
unless II Is because tho child Is slightly
colOred, fcason which | claim 10 DO In
violation Of tho fundamental law Of the
land" states: al my child Is 10 DO ex.
cludcd on that ground, say to you frankly
that l desire 10 test It In. tho courts; and /
hereby demand respectfully the rcadmis.
GsG tho board at It's present session 10 make
an order directing such readmission, md |
tender my clild's attendance at said school.
II II Is the mind Of tho board TO exclude
said children on account Of color, respect.
fully pray that resolution declaring the
exclusion TO DO on TINT ground may be
passed by the board, 80 that there may be
no uncertainty MS to the grounds upon
which my child and | are denied equal
rights Of citizenship
Mr.. Loveioy remarked that The question
had been acted upon by the Board some
months ngo, and Mr.. Gregory had entered
suit for mandanua. which was on the
calendar for the last general term Of the
Supreme Court Of tho district. Dir. Var.
ner repeated that his action was based on
motives OF public policy, and that he had
met with a number Of colorcd men who
did not endorse Professor Grcgory'G course
in the matter, Mr.. Ciagin offered Il rcso-
luton indorsiny the action OF Warner, by
implication at least CeusIred Mr. Worm
ley.
Mr.. Warner remarked that the child was
admitted 10 the school by Mr.. Wormlcy,
but oil account Of previous complications
there was objection on the part OF parents
Of other pupils Had the child remained
a little longer there would have been no
school. He would hive taken the same
action in the case OF any other child whose
presence in school tended TO destroy It's
efficiency. Mr.. Brooks said it was mean
and eaTardly for the trustees not to admit
colored children, who, though advanced in
| 4 doll, lao l. a. 4
out Of the white schools.
~ object to any campaign speeches"
said Mr. Warner.
Mr.. Brooks said he knew it 10 be fact
that members Of The Board have admitted
colored children to white schools, and Pro.
fessor Gregory hal the right to cite the fact
that such children are in the schools.
Mr.. Birney said they should meet the
question squarely. He proposed subs.i-
tutc for DR.. Cagin's resolution setting forth
that- 10
WHEREAS, Section 2S2 OF the Revised
Statutes Of the District OF Columbia pro.
vides in effect that colorcd parenta residing
in the District, outside Washington and
Georgetown, shall have the privilege OF
placing children in schools provided for
colored children and the said section re-
mains unrepealed ind the question OF its
unconstitutionality is one for the courts
and not this Board, and
Whereas, the facts in the case have been
ascertained by the local committee, and
are established by the letter OF Prof. Greg.
DRY TO this Board, the action Of Il member
OF the local committee in refusing admis-
sion to Eugene Gregory to the Prescott
School, = school provided for white child
ren, is hereby approved, and that Prof.
Gregory has the right under the statute to
place his child in any OF the schools in the
district outside OF Washington and George
town provided for colored children.
Mr.. Cragn accepted this substitute.
MIR. Brooks moved further amendment
in the shape OF n proviso that all colored
children in white schools be transferred.
"That is opening wide field" said the
Chairman, Mr.. Birney. 81 will rule it out
OF ORDER"
81 know it," said Mr.. Brooks, "and If it
is agreed to, we will then see who is white
and who is not. There are some colored
children who have undergone the bleach.
ing process who will then 20 to the colorcd
schools. Ii this is done, it will be found
that some wealthy families have the blood
OF the negro. There ere some now in the
schools, right in the First District too, who
are iairer in complexion than some OF the
faircSt whites