Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-16
THE COLORED SCHOOL sUPERN-
TENDHNT.
School Trustee Francis Says He Wants
the Condition Of the Schools Bettered.


DR.. John r. Francis, the colored school trus-
tee, who made the proposition in the school
board looking to the abolition Of the Office of
superintendento Of colored schools. when spoken
10 by STAR reporter respecting the contro-
versy excited by this proposal, said: ''The mis-
understanding among the masses, that ID, the
illiterate classes, cannot well be avoided. You
see, unfortunately for our colored citizens,
there are among them few noisy, anprinci-
pied fellows, who have great love for indig-
nation and mass meetings, in order to keep
themselves before the public. These fellows
are always suffering from some fancied wrong,
and are the so-called leaders Of the masses.
You will always find them very active in will:
ard hall conventions and other disgraceful
meetings. Now, having the ear Of the masses
OF the poor colored people, with some griev-
ance always to present, they are never without
an enthusiastic audience. Can you be surprised
that under such irresponsible leaders and In
the heat OF excited appeals these poor people
can do otherwise than come to damaging con-
clusions?'
dent and an assistant intended merely for the
purpose OF taking that Office from the colored
people, as some assert?" asked TIE STAB re-
porter.
mo, sf. said DR.. Francis, but am sorry
TO admit that that is about as far a. some OF
This subject is one Of especial interest to the
colored schools, and one in which all good citi-
gems should be and are interested 4 am de-
termined while a member Of the school board
to push without fear or favor all attempts to
put the colored and white schools on an equal
footing. They are not equal and no man OF
woman who pays them any attention can hon
estly claim that they are. They have not been
equal for years, if ever. I have heretofore
made an effort to say only very little publicly
My proposition means nothing more or less
than this, that am determined to have an inn
proyement. Now, the question is how can it
best be done? This Is Question for the best citi
zens to decide if they will take hold of il az
they should. don't care whether it is done
With one, two, or one dozen superintendents.
The sole idea with me ia TO improve the colofsd
schools and bring them out OF the old rut in
years"
some head for the schools" continued the
doctor, sis undoubtedly the proper thins to
have. believe it will produce better Ind
more harmonious feeling in the work Of the
schools throughout the District. There Are q
large number Of our best citizens, both col6red
and white. who desire one superintendent.
However, that Is a point on which the colofed
people are divided, and while believe it to be
right, and will come eventually. Jet 1 will not
push it if l see any effort made on the part of
our citizens to improve this Office. Bat this
latter must be done, or will push with fear
less determination what believe to be right
my proposition to have one superintendent and
an assistant superintendent"
Would the change you propose necessisate
the removal Of Mr.. Cook from oface?" asked
the reporter.
mo, sir. I do not believe il would touch Mr..
Cook. think that his appointment to be an as
unanimously in the board, and he would do
duty through all the schools"
do not many colored people expect that one
result of the consolidation Of the Offices Would
be the turning out Of colored teachefs2"
only from those who are ignorant OF the laws
governing the schools, and from Mr.. Cooks
friends, who desire TO prejudice the maeses Of
the colored people against the proposition.
Why, the stperintendene have nothing wh6t-
ever to do with appointments. The trustees do
this. The teachers would be Just as safe under
a change as they now are"