New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-17
THE TUsKEGEE NORMAL SCHOOL.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: At the foundation OF tho Tuskegee Normal ana
Industrial SCHOOL, in the town OF Tuskegee, Ala, "Iho
Tribune was not slow in making known the work that
had then been started In that thlclly populated negro
section for its Improvement both educationaly and in
dusrlally Some years have now elapsed, and as tho
institution has expanded considerably since its estaD
lIshment, a short account of what has been accom-
psbed must commend itself TO all who interested
In the negro race.
AS is we'll known, this Institution IS situated In that
part of Alabama where the negro the thckest
hence its designation of the black belt' A schooi
starting among a people who absolutely without
education I'm its commonest term and sadly In need oil
sound moral ard industrial training could rot but be OK
immense benefit, and though its arms have been ldI
reaching, there IS yet wide field TO cover much
ignorance sim prevails and the story Is not yot told
Having grown with its growth and strengthened WIN
its strength during these six years OF IFS existence IL
counts at the present moment 400 students and seven
teen officers and teachers. II owns, unencumbercd
GOO acres OF land chiefly Of timber wood, which has
been used IN building all the cottages. dormocs ana
schoolrooms II aims at sound normal education anu
industrial training embracing at the Same time that IN
dspcnsabe requisite, the upbuilding Of character ~
receives no student that will not work in one OF tho
various industries that arc being taught, either on The
farm in the blacksmith shop IN the brclyard IN tho
carpenter shop, in tho laundry in tho sewinGroom or
in the cooking school.
All the improvements, all the buildings, from the
smallest cottage to tho fourstory building, and othcr
evidences OF growth that ara TO be seen on theso
grounds arc the sole product of student labor guusd
By competent Instructors. New Industries have re-
Gently been added those already mentioned. notably
understanding and shingc-making. largo ionr-
story building to be used a dorm!tory IS now IN
course Of completion, wholly the work Of students
Young girls who have come here completely innocent
OF the art of drcssmakng cooking and washing have
success ully taken In the teaching in these various
branches Of educa ion: and youag men who have come
hero amlcSsly, !thOut any fixed knoWicdgo OF any
calling I'm life whatsoever have acquired trades Dacheu
up by q good normal education and are sent out TO IN
prove the thereby -
The efforts and struggles put forth by students TO ac
qurc education are truly heroic. some coIio az
soluely penness and arc put in night school, and WORK
in the day, thus making enough money to carry thcm
through day school the following year Circulnstanced
badly as many are in a financial point OF view, they
20 out owing the Institution. which Is depcnqcht on mo
donations OF the philanthrOplc and charitable Tor us
support but IL is pleasing to note that there IS SHOWN
no dishonest or fathcss conduct Indebtedness Is
faithfully met though settlement may be long In com
ing Thus every effort IS eXerted to educate success
fully the head hand a2l heart.
The school Is suat about one milo from the quiet
town OF Tuskegec The most amicable and cordial
feeling exists between II and the whites, and II Is pleas
ing record that there has not been since It's estaO-
lishment the slightest friction whereby its even progress
and successful working could be interrupted.
Tuslesee, Ala, May s, 1888. sYM1ATHlsEls-