Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-11
THE COLORED PEOPLE AT THE
CAPITAL.
Their Educational Progress.

Thetf Educational Prog reSS.
SATISFACTORY ExHIBTT-ovER TWO MILLION
DoLLAIS EXPENDED FOR THEIR BENEFIT
ONE HUNDRED AND FoRTY-oNE SCHOOLS IN
SUCCESSFUL oPERATIoN-ovER NINE THOU
SAND PUPILS
IFor Tha Evening Star, by John H. Brooks.1
The population of the colored people in the
District of Columbia, free and slave, as given by
the U. 3. census for 1860, was 1876. This
population was, by the eXigencies of the war.
1S61-'65, and natural causes, increased to
43,4O4 in ten years.
Early In the war the Intelligent and thought
ful OF the colored freemen saw plainly that it
was their duty to offer their services to the gov
eminent, and that the war would be one, not
only for the preservation of the Union, but in
cidentally for their own Acknowledgement and
the freedom of their brothers then held in
slavery. The government at first refused to re-
ceive colored men as soldiers into the military
department, but the necessities of the war COM
services of all.
Under this change of policy on the part of the
administration, about 25O, 900 colored men en-
tered the service of the Union as soldiers and
many thousands more under the nom de que,re
OF the colored people, "cOntraband." Under the
latter soubriquet some OF the most efficient
military service was rendered, both in the army
abound in mention of gallant and efficient SER
vices of the "contrabands," who fought side by
side with the white soldier and sailor, but whose
individuality, unfortunately, is lost in being
only mentioned rs "contrabands."
THE ENTRY OF THE coLoRED MAN
into the army and navy and his efficient and
faithful military service to the government was
of the highest Importance to his future welfare
in this country-it settled all wild schemes and
propositions for the colonization and separation
OF the colored people. 1t routed the gradual
emancipation scheme and at once secured his
enfranchisement with full civil and political
common rights of citizenship. Many Thought
full and patriotic friends of the country and the
coored people believed that the sudden addi-
ton to our voting population and common citi-
zenship of such large mass of ignorant, poor
and degraded people, recently held as slaves
and despised because of their low condition
wona qham t nae EUR
lumbia i'll this, as 1t is required in many other
political and social changes affecting the whole
made the experimental ground. The service
rendered by colored men in the army, their en-
REIMBURSEMENT, the securing. to them the full
ments made it apparent that their condition
must be changed, and that, at least, the rising
generation must be prepared to discharge intel
Iigently the duties of citizenship. 1t became
STATE AS WELL AS MORAL AND SOCIAL n E.
CESSITY,
hence the question OF educating the colored
people rose to be an important one, largely
discussed throughout the country and in the
halls of Congress. The District of Column
Congress had the Constitutional authority,
and should provide for the education of the
colored children. The benevolent people
OF the country-especially OF the north
both white and colored, Immediately raised
fund and established schools in this District,
expanding about S1oO,OOO for that purpose.
Congress was importuned by petition, and in
1862 initiated legislation looking to raising a
fund by taxation for the education of colored
children. The acts of 1862, however, were
found to be inadequate and impracticable. 1t
was not until 1864 that Congress enacted any
law that was of benefit. The 18th section of
| the act Of July 25, 1864, was wise and benef1-
as model legislation where there are colored peo-
pie in sufficient numbers to organize schools
upon the same system on equal terms with the
white population, thus enabling, as is the case
In the District, both classes to make progress in
parallel courses without any possible friction,
and for the best interests Of all.
Inc requirements OF the act or July 20, 1864
imposed a heavy burden upon the people of the
District which, in view of the enormous increase
of the cOlored school population from causes of
the war, were unjust The United States should
have provided from the first for the education
of the colored children who had been forced to
leave the States of Maryland and Virginia and
District of Columbia. The heavy taxation of
the people of this District to educate the COL
ored children was generously borne, and it is
with pride that the facts to the amounts ex-
pended are now reported to THE STAR.
AMOUNTS EXPENDED FOR THE COLoRED
SCHOOLS.
The following amounts have been received
and expended on account ofthe colored schools
of Washington and Georgetown:
Payments by Washington city
from July Is, 1864, to July l.