Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-18
Commissioner Edmonds Upon Mixed
Schools.



Armed with an extract from the Post. purport-
Ing to be an interview with Commissioner Ed.
monds, in which he expressed him self as favor
able to mixed schools, a STAR reporter to-day In
vaded the orice OF the president OF the District
BOARD Commissioner Eimonds received the
newspaper clipping from the reporter and began
reading 1t with an air OF fixed interest that indi-
cated he had not seen It before. Having read a
portion OF IL, he looked up and denied that DIR.
Purvis was appointed on the school board with "a
view 10 the establishment OF mixed schools here"
He said the appoin tment Was made because
purvis was regarded as good man for
the position. Continuing, the Commissioner
e hsS NINA saat nenea Purvis nor any other trus-
said he: 81 have never asked any one OF the uus-
es what Their particular opinions were or what
been to get board that would work together In
ments Ia tho Old board" That Settled lied
the point that DR.. Purvs was not appointed TO aid
N bringing about mixed schools and tn. STAR
tenuon TO the remainder Of the interview wherein
ne was quoted as favortng a school classification
oy intelligence and cleanliness OF the children"
in preference to the color line. He said that a
reporter did call upon him ana he talked
vi WIN u. MN IN IN a, genera! way. but added,
said II had any children to send to school would
ored children to dirty vulgar wSse hsTs s sSl
many colored children that would prefer chill
uren OF mine 10 associate with rather than a Ger.
tain class OF whites. I've seen them in the COL
ored schools here You know there are white
children who are dirty and obscene In their
haoitS."
sTAR-"But you say you expressed no opinion
favoring the policy OF mixed schoolS?"
commissioner Edmonds.-"No; for that IS not q
matter for the Commissioners to determine. It is
nxed either oy law or by the school board. In my
conversations with coored men have expressed
my personal opinion and preference entirely dis
connected with any Official duty. The board has
hothing TO DO with establishing mixed schools no
more IMAM IL has with fixing the tarn. For my
part, nave no preJudices except for decent, Or
derly cleanly wellratsed children as against In
decent, dirty. obscene children, no matter what
tnelr color may be. That is my personal matter,
Just as much as what shall cat, drink or wear
but 1 nave, as Commissioner, no functions In re-
garu 10 changing the school arrangements
nave thougnt that the colored question was set
Iled mere ana we have underworld TO keep it So
IN appointing school trustees I have made the
| seiec'i0n purely question OF the better man."
LAS As the reporter was leaving Judge Edmonds
SAD, 10 returning the printed slip OF the Post
l did not say that DR.. Purvis was EN-
inently proper in sending his children to
white school. because under the Maryland law
Ineir white mother gave them her legal status for
didn't know what the law Was l did not say
either that 1t was entirely within the province OF
the school board 10 determine whether there
should be classification by Intelligence and
cleanliness rather than color, for am not sure
whether the law fixes that, or whether it is the
province OF the school board. With these eAcep-
lions believe the interview is generally correct