The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-05
ONE COLOR IN A SCHOOL.
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY CAN'T GET
THE STATES $4,000.

Year
ATLANTA, GA, Feb. 4.-The following
statement of Gov. Gordons position in re-
gard to the Atlanta University appropria-
ton was prepared in the executive Office by
his request, and it is therefore authorita-
tive:
Public attention has recently been directed
to the subject of the appropriation Of S.
COO, which has been made for many years
by the Legislature of Georgia for the edu-
cation of the colored people of the State.
That sum for the year 1888 remains in the
treasury. Gov. Gordon has not drawn his
warrant for it, for the very good reason
that Atlanta University, which has been
heretofore the recipient of this bounty
of the State, has not complied
with the conditions imposed by the Legisla
ture in 1874 and 1887. The probability is
that the institution will not comply with
these conditions, and that the fund will
rest quietly in the treasury until the next
Legislature shall directs its disposition. 1t
may be interesting at this point to note the
main facts connected with this appropria
tion, as they will show very clearly why it
cannot be paid Ly the Governor to Atlanta
University or to any other institution for
the education of the colored people of this
State.
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM.
This amount is one-half of the interest
upon the sum realized by the State from
agricultural landscrip, under the act of
Congress of July ?, 1862, and the amending
act of April IA, 1864, and that after that
sum was realized, the State, in a spirit of
fairness and liberality TO It's colored popu-
latlon, determined to devote one-half of the
interest on it annually to their education
This amount was at first introduced as an
item in the general appropriation bill, and
was so introduced for number Of years.
but, finally, on March 3, 1874, an act was
passed to equitably adjust the claims of the
colored race for a portion Of the proceeds of
the agricultural landscrip. Under this
law the Governor has no author
ity to draw bis warrant until
the plan for the expenditure of the money
adopted by the trustees of the Atlanta Uni
Verslty has been submitted to and approved
by commission consisting of the Chan
cellor of the University of Georgia and two
members of the faculty of the institution
ibis approval has been given until this year
very much as matter Of form. The Board
OF Visitors appointed last year by the Gov
ernor to attend the examinations of the
University of Georgia and Atlanta Uni
versity reported TO the Governor that they
had found a number of white students Of
both sexes in attendance at Atlanta Univer-
sity who were being educated together with
the colored pupils of that institution.
MIXED SCHOOLS PROHIBITED.
The present constitution Of the State,
adopted more than three years after the act
of 1874 had declared that in reference to
shools supported by public money:
'The schools shall be free to all children
of the State, but separate schools shall be
provided for the white and coloTed races"
The action, therefore, of the authorities
of Atlanta University in the admission Of
white children into that institution was not
only a violation of the policy of the State
in reference to co-education Of the white
and colored races, but of the act of 1874 and
of the plain provisions of the constitution
of the State. The attention of the Legisla-
ture was called to the subject in his special
message Of the month of July, 1851, by the
Governor, who, assuming that the $4,000
must continue to be devoted TO the educa-
tion of the coored race asked the General
Assembly TO determine how the Atlanta
University sum should be appropriated.
The Legislature of 1887 before adjournment
passed a resolution that the Governor be
not directed TO draw his warrant on the
State Treasury for the 81, 600 annual appro-
priation TO Atlanta University until such
plan Of expenditure will secure exclusive
use Of the money for the education of col
ored children.
FIRMNEss OF THE GOVERNOR.
Under this resolution the commission de-
clined to approve the plan submitted to
them by the trustees of Atlanta University
OF the expenditure of the $1,000 for 1855,
and the Governor has not and will not draw
his warrant for it. lie does not feel author
lied OH the part of the State TO give this
sum of money to Atlanta University unless
that university shall comply strictly with
the conditions Of the act specially aDprOpri-
ating it to them. He does not recognize
that institution as having any claim in
perpetuity TO this bounty of the State. He
does not recognize that institution as n rep
resentative of the colored people
of this State. He does not
propose to recognize any institution as en-
titled to any aid from the treasury Of the
State which violates or attempts in any
way to ignore the settled policy of the State
upon co-education of the races, but he does
recognize the obligations of the State to do
what she can to elevate her colored people
by giving them the advantages of edUca-
tion. He believes that the colored race in
this State has All equitable right to demand
that $1,000 shall be appropriated every year
to colored institutions Of learning. He pre-
sented this view in strong and emphatic
terms to tie last Legislature, and he intends
to urge it upon the next Legislature.
TO DOUBLE UP NEXT YEAR.
In addition he will ask the next General
Assembly Of the State TO appropriate Sl6,
600 TO colored institutions Of learning for
1889 for the reason that they will have lost !
the $1,000 appropriation for 1898. He |
believes that the State should keep faith
with its colored population and be |
scrupulously exact i'll the fulhllment |
of ali her obligations to them. If they lose !
IS. 900 this year it should be doubled next.
He prefers that whatever is given to the |
colored race in the education of |
their people should be given TO |
some institution owned, controlled |
and operated solely by Georgia colored men,
but he will submit this matter to the bet
ter judgment Of the Legislature. What /
will that body do with itl That is the
important inquiry now. The constitution |
of the state provinces: I'm addition TO the |
payment at the annual interest on the debt /
due by the State to the University the |
General Assembly may from time 20 time |
make such donations thereto as the condi- |
tion of the treasury will authorize, and the |
General Ass mbly may also from time to
time make such appropriations of money as
the condition of the treasury Will authorize,
10 any college or university mot exceeding /
one in number,) now established or hereaf-
ter TO be established II the State for the |
education of persons Of color.n
II will be observed that under the pro
vision Of the constitution. any Rppropria- |
II. IL