Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-06-26
TusKEGEE NORMAL SCHOOL.


TUsKEGEE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The Montgomery Gala. ADVERTISER,
one of the most conservative Southern PEI
riodicals, contains every commendable ed
itorial notice Of the closing exercises Of the
Tuskegee Normal School, as well as a
lengthy contributed article On the same sub
ject. This institution is only five years
old, but the following quoted from the ar
ticle referred o,wli show that its progress
has been rapid
The exercises began to-day with an in
spection Of young men in ranks for criti-
cism of dress and general neatness. The
morning hours were taken up with revie
of the class and industrial work with view
of showing the method OF instruction. In
the various industrial departments students
were found at work In the blacksmith
shop plows, hoes, wrenehes, scfew-drivcs,
horse-shoes, pincers, &C., were exhibited
which had been made by students, so Of
whom had received only few months trau-
ing in that line At the carpenters shop
were found bedsteads, wa-drobes, wash
stands, tables, settees, writing desks, wheel
Larrows, &c, which showed care and skill
in the making. Almost the emit wood
work, as well as plastering of Alabama
Hall, was done by student labor. Pam
phlets, catalogues, bill beads, bank checks,
&c., were found at the printing office that
had been executed in manner to do credit
to auy printing office The girls indust'-
al room where the girls are taught sewing,
cutting, embroidery dc, showed dresses,
dress skirts, work shirts, white rndersh'r.s,
toilet mats, crocheted shaw's, &C.. made in
a creditable manner. In this room were
found specimens of cooking in the form Of
bread and cakes, that bad been made by the
graduating class, also samples 81 vegeta-
bles raised on The farm. IN the laundry
large exhibit Of neatly washed and ironed
shirts, collars. dresses, &C., showed the
character Of work the girls are taught to do
in that department. The students have
turned out from the school brick yard all
the bricks to build Alabama Hall, besides
many for outside sale. We have not space
to speak of what was seen at the barn,
poultry yard, and in the line Of bee culture
by the improved methods Both the class
rooms and the industrial departments were
visited by large number Of visitors.
At 1890 the students and visitors
dined. After dinner the students,
headed by the school brass band,
ma ched from Ala5ama Hall to
where the corner stone Of new two
and-a-half story brick building.
Among the articles deposited in
the corner stone were copies Of the
Montgomery Advertiser, Tuskegee,
News and Tusl,egee Weekly Gazette,
containing an &C cunt ofthe school
and names of prominent persons
present. In his speech, which was
an eloquent and earnest one, Mr..
Andrew said thatthe colored peo-
pie could only rise by educating
themselves industrially, mentally
and spiritually. These opportuni-
ties, he said they had at the Tuslke-
gee Normal School. The five young
men and women who graduated yes
terday, will at once join the ten who
graduated last year, as teachers
in the public schools of the State.
The speaking and singing of the stu
dents was highly praised by all the
vast audience Of both races. Hon.
John M. Langston's speech was one
of his best and most eloquent efforts.
In it he said that the whites and
blacks were destined to live togeth-
err side by side in the South in peace,
and that the proper education of
hand, head and the heart of all the
races would bring about peace and
prosperity among all. He held the
vast audience spell bound for one
hour and a half Among the prom
inent visitors Of both races were
Judge p. r. Holt, Hons. w. f. Fos-
ter, A. l.. Brooks, Gen Bryant, Drs.
Griggs, Alexander and Dyers, Mr..
Geo. w, Campbell, State Commits
sioner, Mr.. Lewis Adams, State
Commissioner, Revs. Chiffon, Nc
Intosh, Gully and many other prom
inent citizens Of Tuskegee. Ninety
six visitors were present from Mont
gomery alone, and Mrs. Ell. w. Lud-
low, from Hampton, Va, who was
present in the interest of several
Northern papers. The session just
closed has been the most successful
in the history of the school. There
is no better evidence Of the good
work the school is doing than the
esteem in which it is held by the
citizens Of both races. 1t is esti
mated that one thousand visitors
were present at the commencement