The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-22
The Schools.

has decided that State laws prohibiting
Tho iutermarriage Of blacks and whites are
II. then, the body-politic
NAV be divided into two classes, and the
members Of one class be prohibited from
with the members OF the
other class. every man capable OF reasoning
can see that there may be constitutional
law made in this State providing for negro
trustees for negro schools and white trus-
tees for white schools.
The Lynchburg Convention pledged the
Democratic party to the passage OF sucn
law. The ablest-certainly some OF tue
ablest-constitutiona lawyers In virginia
were members az the committee which re-
ported that resolution. The Mahoneites
nretend to doubt the power Of the Legisla-
ture 20 PASS such law. Very well. Let
them adhere TO that doctrine, and let the
voters defeat them at the ballot-box for
the hercsy. There can be no good rea-
son given for entertaining q doubt upon
the constitutional question. The Conven-
ton which adopted that resolution num-
bered among It's members many lawyers
thoroughly qualified to Judge as to the me-
rits of the constitutional question. Their
judgments reinforced the judgment OF the
committee. But, as we have said, when
the Supreme Court Of the United States
decided that laws forbidding interma-
riages between whites and blacks were con-
stitutional, II in effect decided that all SINH
lar laws are constitutional. Certainly II
n State may constitutionally forbid negro
children TO attend white schools, 1t
NAV constitutionally forbid negro trus-
tees 10 supervise white schools; and
the party that denies this, and NAM
tains that there must be no discrimination
against negroes in appointing officials Tor
the white schools, but that negroes must
be appointed trustees OF white SCHOOLS Us
well as of black schools, and whites must
be appointed trustees OF negro schools as
well as of white schools. cannot command
the suffrages OF the white voters OF VIZ
ginia.
The MALONE party must be held up De-
fore the voters as teaching this latter doc-
trine. There is nothing else in the Lynch
burg resolution TO which they could object.
They deny that they are in favor OF mixed
marriages or mixed schools. But they
affirm that they are in favor OF negro
teachers for negro schools and white teach
ers for white schools. The Democrats and
the Mahoneites agree up to this point, II
we may credit the professions OF the latter
upon the stump. Where do the teachings
OF the two parties DIVORCES We answer
that the two parties disagree as to whether
the Legislature may or may not by law pro-
vide negro trustees for negro schools and
white trustees for white schools. There is
no suggestion of two public-school sys-
tens made in the Lynchburg resolution.
The Democratic proposition is that the
system shall remain as it is
except in respect of the new feature favor
ed in that resolution. Here is what the
Democrats propose:
sIxrH-NO MIXED SCHOOLS.
We oppose the mixing OF the white ana
colored races in the public schools, and the
placing OF colored trustees and teachers
over white children, and are in favor OF
preserving the school organizations for the
two races as separate and distinct as posi-
BILE, giving 10 the colored people for their
schools all the preferences and privileges
which we demand for the white, including
colored trustees and teachers, and making
no discrimination in the distribution OF
school funds on account OF color: and we
pledge the Democratic party to adopt all
necessary legislation to perfect this plan as
best for all concerned.
What possible objection can any reason
able man find to that resolution! l. We
compose the mixing of the white and CO.
lored races in the public schools" The
Maboneites say the same. 2. We oppose
ssthe placing Of colored teachers over white
children" The Mahoneites say the same.
3. We "oppose the placing OF colored trus-
tees over white children" Here the Ma
honeites take issue with the Democrats.
The former maintain that 1t would be I'M
constitutional to add the word "trustees y
to the word "teachers." 1t is constitu'
tional to egislate against negro teachers fol
white schools; it is constitutional to legis-
late against negro pupils being allowed &c
enter white schools; but it is uncons;itu
tional to legislate against allowing negro
trustees to supervise white schools! 1t l.
not necessary TO do more than state thai
proposition In order to show its bald alb
surdity. And yet we can see nothing elst
In the resolution to which even Mahoneit,
could manufacture an objection.
BY the way, the School Board appointed
by CAMERON, FAIR, and BLAIR for the cit,
OF Richmond put into practice that yer,
proposition which the Mahoneites affirm t
be unconstitutional. They provided tina
the negro trustees should supervise tn
closing exercises Of none but the negr
schools. We haven't the report OF thei
proceedings before us at present, but W
have stated what we understood to b
their action. Was that action unconstitt
tionaly II not, how could it be unconst
tutional for all the trustees in the State
be put by the Legislature under lik
rule!
But let us proceed to discuss the resolr
ton which the Mahoneites say proposes a
unconstitutional law. 4. eve are in fave
OF preserving the school organizations Il
the two races as separate and distinct
possible" Who objects to thats Nobod
we suppose. We would like 10 hear son
Coalition orator object to ii on the Stun
o. 1--WE are in favor Of giving to the CO
ored people for their schools all the prefe
ences and privileges which we demand Il
the whites, including colored trustees an,
Teachers The Mahoneites endorse ever
word OF this except the words in bracket