The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-21
Negro school Trustees for White
Schools.

| The COilitiOnists, both through the press
and on The stump, defend and applaud the
action Of Governor Cameron in having ap-
pointed two negroes trustees Of schools in
| Richmond, and their speakers say that
there should be some negro school trustees
in every county in the State.
Now, why should there be negro
school trustees! We would like TO know.
| Is 1t that the negroes have peculiar fitness
for that position in particular? II that is
so, why should the valley Ptrginion, one
of the leading Republican papers in the
State, say that il the Democratic idea
was carried out, and negro trustees APP
pointed solely for colored schools, the
effectiveness Of these schools would be de-
siroved, and their dcath-knell virtually
sounded? Is il not rather pandering to
the negro on the part OF these Coationists
az the expense of the whites? For il ne
croes are not fit TO be trustees solely OF the
schools for their own race, how can they be
suitable persons TO he entrusted with the
control and management OF schools for both
races
And then, where is this thing to end II
in Richmond, with its large white maiori-
", two negro trustees out Of nine were
appointed IN obedience TO the demands OF
the negroes for recognition, how is it to be
in those counties Qorty-one in number, we
believe i'm which the negroes have ma
jOrity? Givea negro an inch and he wants
yard and If his demands for recognition
are recognized by these Coalition-Republi-
cans in a city ike Richmond. in which the
whites are largely IN the majority. Of
course these demands will have to be yield
ed to in the counties and in the same pro-
portion, and in those counties in which the
negroes have the majority they will de-
mand that majority of the school trus-
tees shall be negroes, and that demand will
have TO be acceded to by the COalitionists,
for what plausible reason even can they
give for not granting it? for il negroes
are tit TO be school trustees at all. they are
equally lit TO constitute q majority. And
the action OF Governor Cameron in appoint
ing negro school trustees. and the endorse
ment of that action by his party. make the
appointment OF negro school trustees now
a part of the policy OF the Coalition party,
and the party will have to adhere to it or
lose its control of the negro. who is ever
tenacious OF every privilege once granted
lrhich JrinqS him, as he thinks, upon q
teuei ,oith the ,ohiteS.
Aud Just think, white people OF Vir-
GINA, and particularly YOU who live in
counties in which the negroes have a ma
jority, what condition the public schools
would be in with a majority OF the school
trustees in those counties negroes Think
OF the shame and humiliation OF your
wives, your sisters, or your daughters hav
ing to apply to negroes for situations as
teachers. and of your children having to
attend schools which are under the man.
agement of trustees the majority OF whom
are negroes
1t will not do to say the negroes will not
demand this in the counties in which they
have a majority, and therefore it cannot
and will not come to pass. 1t is what is to
be expected if the Coalition policy OF APP
pointing negroes as trustees for white
schools Is carried out TO its legitimate con-
clusion. 1t is almost necessarily bound to
come TO this.
And we do no. believe it will end even
there. The moment the negroes see trus-
tees of their own color managing schools
for white children, and selecting and elect
ing the teachers for those schools. that in
slant they will say, Why is it. il negro
trustees can elect teachers for white
schools. and control the teachers Of
those schools and employ such teach
ers rs they see fit, why is it that color
ed children are not as fit to 90 to those
| schools with white children rs col
! oTed trustees are to manage them! And
| ii there are TO be mixed school trustees,
why should there not likewise be mixed
schools? For what is the difference be-
tween mixed school trustees for the schools
and mixed scholars in the schools, except
in the first instance the negro is placed
over white people. and in the second he is
placed on an equality with them. and so it
will 90 until there is no saying where the
end will be.
Now, there is but one way to prevent
this thing, and is: il the negroes think
they are lit and suitable persons to lie
school trustees and to manage school affairs,
why. let them have the exclusive manage
ment and control OF the schools for their
Oicn race, both as trustees and teachers, and
, this Democrats are willing for them TO do
and it is all they are willing for them to do,
and it is all the negroes have right to ash
or expect; and it is certainly all they will
ever get from US, for the Democrats are I'M
alterably opposed to and will fight to thu
death any proposition which will permit
the negro to have anything to do with the
schools for white children either as trus-
tee, teacher, or scholar. -FdimuiAe Jour.
nal.