Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-03-29
POOR WHITE"
Speaks Absat the Fourth Ward School
and the COlored Children.
Editor eJ he Register.


and the COlored Children.
Editor Of he Register.
On the 2Jth inst. we addressed a com
munication to YOU in which the statement
was made that colored pupils from the
colored school in this city had been admit.
led to the Grammar department of the
Fourth ward school This communication
through your kindness, was published in
your issue Of the Goth inst. In your paper
of the 9th inst, under the head
of IAN Explanation" appears an interview
With the city superintendent Of schools, in
which, after expressing the annoyance felt
at the statement made in said communica-
ton, he summarily dismissed the whole
matter with laugh and the 70 lowing,
which we respectfully request you will
reprint in this connection:
Superintendent Birch was yesterday asked
as to the truth of the report, which maters-
lied in a communication in yesterday
mornings REGISTER, that a lumber of
coored pupils had been admitted to the
Crsmmer department Of the Fourth ward
public school. The Superintendent laughed
and said, THAT communication has caused
me more ANNOYANCE than you can imagine.
There is no truth in the report The
rumor probably gained currency
from the following fact: Wednesday
afternoon the annual examination of pupils
in the senior class took place at the MON
school, and as a matter Of course pupils
we're present from all tae schools in the
city, and among them four colored scholars.
The examination Of the latter in conjunc-
ton with the others was commented on by
some of the scholars, and suppose in re-
latipg it TO their parents they conveyed the
impression that tho colored children had
been admitted as regular pupils. 1t is the
first time cnlOred Children have been ad.
mitted to the graduating class, and the fact
that there were four candidates is much 10
their credit.
Now, without any disposition to be cap
tious or hypercrlical, but as the representa-
tive of class which constitutes by far the
larger although not the weslthier portion of
our community, and which, therefore, is
most deeply interested in the proper con.
duct Of our schools, We beg to say that this
explanation of the Superintendent does not
explain. In plain words, we are very much
deceived if our people who have sons and
daughters attending the public SCHOOLS, will
he satisfied with laugh and an explaua-
;icp, Without refining the cOlorei pl-
oils we're admitted, not as regular pupils,
but as q matter Of course to be examined
IN conjunction with others white children
nc Irtsumc) in the senior or graduating
class of Cur public schools. Whence this
necessity? Does the law require it? If
rot it would we'll behoove the superintend-
ent 20 move slowly, and better still. to take
a sep backward in so i'll considered move
a,nt. We have Lot Jet been educated up
70 this point.
At the last meeting of the Board of
Education committee was appointed
10 procure suitable rooms to accommodate
the grammar departments OF the differ
ent schools in this city. Will il be in order
TO enquire if such accommodations shall be
secured, and the gramn departments Of
he different ward schools Of the city thrown
into one building. viii it be in order to
enquire whether, as matter OF course, the
colcred grammar department OF the colored
school in this city will also le included iu
his arrangement Without celebrating
upon the possibilities, in case Of an ar.
rargement, we desire in all kindness, yet
in all earnestness, 10 address the above
query to our worthy Superintendent and 10
again subscribe ourselves
p,np Wmr-