National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-06
EDUCATION AMONG NEGROES.
Progress in Industrial Arts at the At
lanta University.

ATLANTA constitutional
On recent visit there saw class Of
thirty negro boys hard at work at carpen-
ters' benches. Under the tuition of Prof.
Tucker they were learning the theory aud
use Of woodworking tools. Prof Tucker
said; "We do not aim to make accomplished
mechanics. We teach the science rather
than the art OF carpentering. When these
boys are through any one Of them can make
q door, n table, a staircase In q neat and
workmanilie manner. Whenhe gets through
the iron-working shop he will be able to
make a bolt or horse shoe. In short, IL lie
wants TO become mechanic he will have q
fair groundwork to start on. II they be.
come farmers they will find their practical
training very useful" All the repairs and
building about the grounds are done by the
students, who thus get practical training.
If any desire to become mechanics q special
course will be given them. In another room
there were negro girls engaged in sewing, cut
ting, and fitting dresses under competent
teacher. In other rooms there were cooking
classes taught by excellent teachers. They
were being made skillful IN every depart
ment OF housekeeping. Under Mr.. SEES
sions, who has raised uneXampled crops,
the boys are given lessons In practical agri-
culture. at Is strange" said Mr.. Sessions,
do as simple thing as planting beans cor
rcctly. The boys here make good crops
They have lessons IN every kind Of plant
ing Separate patches and separate crops
are assigned to them, and a sharp competi-
tlon results OF course this practical
education is incidental ms yet to the regular
university course But It is growing. 1t
is evidence, too, of an earnest desire on tho
part Of the faculty to find the true and
right path out of the problem with the
solution of which they are charged. At
lanta is the central point of the experiment
of higher education for the negro race.
Nearly $500, 900 of northern money has been
spent here in buying grounds aud erecting
buildings, and thousands are spent annually
in maintaining them. 1t is fortunate that
the chief factor in this work is In such
capable and conservative hands us those Of
Prof. Chase Close inquiry among the pro-
fessors indicates that there is no
difference in capacity between the
blacks and the mulattoes. ave have
watched that very Closely said sProf.
Bumstcad "and often we think we have
established theory. Suddenly It is met
with exceptions that overturn 1t com
pletcly." Prof, Tucker, who is in charge
of the industrial department, says ~ find
the boys quick to learn when pattern Is
given them, but slow, as q rule, to design
or originate Among the Gtudents was q
native African boy of perhaps l9-quiet and
sow-motioned. lie is noted for his feryor
in the prayer meetings, his aptncss in
Biblical quotations, and the fertility of his
potato patch. Mr.. S. NJ. Inmau, who was
of the party looking over the university,
said; ~ AM satisfied our public schools
should have just such industrial depart
ments as we see here The demand Of the
day is practical education-that educates
the hand and hO1V MS IL plIlpatns tim mind
such an annex to the public school, | think
fine equipment could be had without cost
to the cityn