Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-10-01
ELIFRITZ INDlGNATES,
AND so no SOME or THE OTHER
CIrIZENs OF Tn u EIErH WAKD.

| oser sneT Imaginary wrongs III tne Nc-
] tion Of the school hoard ON tho Mixed
school Oues,ion-Ouirags Upon Free
Speech-Refossd n Hearing.
| lFrom Morning Ed!tionl
An adjourned meeting of the Indignation
society OF the Fifth ward was held at Spence
Grove last night. b. q. Elifrtz, an alleged
prohibitionist Of democratic antecedents,
brought the Indignation with him, and pro-
ceeded to disseminate II by calling the meet
ing to order. There was a strained effort
made by Mr.. Elifritz and other indiguants to
put forward conspicuously the few republ.
cans who were present. Accordingly, G.
lianika, In spite of his own protesta,on of
incompetency, was nominated by Mr.. Efritz
aud elected chairman. In return, the latter
was chosen secretary, and proceeded to run
the meeting. He made verbal statement of
his Intellectual effort to get the school board
| to reconsider it's action on the school question
aud suggested that a systematic poll OF the
ward be taken to discover the sentiment of
the people upon that question. Mr.
Elifrin also suggested that steps
be taken to secure the resignation of certain
members OF the board "if they won't fulfill
their duty"
At the suggestion Of Chris lIa1 the secre-
tary read the truthful account of the action
of the school board published by the GLOBE.
REPUBLIC Tuesday morning. discussion OF
the question was then entered upon and par
ticipated IN by several of the persons present,
among Others by Mr.. Newberry, a representa-
tive OF the colored people, who was present
and said:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Meeting:
wish to make a few remarks, as there was
something said rs to the colored people. ]
am one OF them. just want. to say word,
believing that know something about their
sentiment as to mixed schools. Being in the
city for eight years, and my wife being
among them and associating with them every
day and working in regard to
this matter, it seems to me as If
| ought to know something about
how they stand. | say. Mr.. President and
gentlemen, the colored people are almost a
unit for mixed schools in this city. say it
without hesitation, and say it from tie fact
that have talked with them. have talked
with more than three-fourths of them on the
subject. have circulated petitions among
them upon the question, and the reasons why
they are in favor Of it we need not discuss,
because they have no school facilities in the
city, and have not had since | have been
here. And that is the reason why | am in
favor of mixed schools. was very glad to
hear the chairman say that he would hear any
citizen. ! say, gentlemen, in my belief, that
this is mistake, holding these meetings and
opposing the rights of little children of ci,i-
zens Of our city. The reason why, gentle-
men, that believe this is mistake il be-
cause ] find nothing in history like it.
There are in Ohio eghty-eight counties.
Ont Of the eighty eight, sixty-six have mixed
schools tonight. and ! am sure, gentlemen,
that we oughtn't to be different from all
other people. | fail to understand why it
is that in the great city of Springfield, that
has boasted of its liberty and freedom to all
citizens, We hold meeting having the ap-
pearance of an indignation meeting, against
a certain class OF citizers enjoying the
rights of the schools, who pay taxes. ! lust
say this, in all good feeling, gentlemen. We
are here for the purpose OF explaining our
selv.si and now | have only 10 say to any
gentleman here this evening who is opposed
to mixed schools: | read the report of the
superintendent TO the board the other night.
He says that sixty-two colored children have
been admitted into the schools in the city,
and everything works smoothly and nobody
is inj jured by 1t, and they are getting along
well. Now, then, il is strange | would like
to hear some gentleman state whether we are
asking an unjust thing, when the little chill
dren have no other means OF getting to
school, where the little children would have
to 90 through the snow mile and halt?
thank you, gentlemen, for your kindness in
hearing me-" (Applause.)
Mr. Hax thought mile and n half not very
far to send children to school, and thought
that it the school board would dispense with
some Of the writing, music and drawing
teachers they could afford better school facili-
ties for the colored people.
Mr.. Elifriia thought that the schools could
spare their 81, 500 superintendent, and some
body else thought that the school board
might issue bonds to erect new buildings
+. g. Jackson, one Of the colored men
present, made . manly and forcble state
ment of the position of the colored peo-
pie on the school question. Towards
the clo.e OF his remarks, notwithstanding
the chairman had called for an expression of
opinion by any citizen present: Mr.. Elifriiz
said, 81 think this whole question out of or
der. have no objection to Mr.. Jackson or
any other citizen Of the ward speaking, but
the question is :as to the dstrictng of the
ward. | think Mr.. Jackson out OF order"
The chair decided Mr.. Elifritz's point OF
order well taken, and the motion
which had been made by Mr.. EIifritz for
committee to poll the ward WAS put and car