Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-01-14
THE RACE ISSUE IN SCHOOL.

THE RACE ISSUE IN SCHOOL.
CoIored Children Take Possession OF
the White High School.
BY Associated Press.
ALTON, ILL.,, January 1.-THE Alton
board Of education has provided Sc
parate schools for colored children,
but the negroes want their children
to attend the schools set apart for
white pupils. Friday score Of adult
negroes, accompanied by half
hundred black children, went to the
high school and demanded admission,
Superintendent Powell Is mild
mannered man and offered no obstruc-
tions. The black children walked in
and took possession Of all the desks
they found unoccupied. The white
pupils protested and began to pack
up their books and make preparations
to leave.
Some of the colored boys grinned at
the white girls, and as soon as the
negro men left the building the white
pupils assaulted the blacks. There
was hard fight for fifteen minutes,
during which books, inkstands, ru-
lers and states filled the air. The
whites finally drove the blacks
out OF the room, chased
them out OF the yard and con-
tinued the fight in the streets. The
white girls urged their champions on
with encouraging smiles and brought
them munitions Of war when possible.
Ths Roanoke city Hospital.
To the TINES.
The ordinance submitting a pro-
position to appropriate the sum of
SEQ 900 fora public hospital is now
before the people, and will be voted
for on the 18th of February next. We
regard this matter of the first iInpor-
lance. 1t is as vital as human life is
valuable. For several years thought
full men in our city have felt the i'm
portance of such an institution, and
today every thoughtful man realizes
it's need more than ever.
More than two years ago, this sub
ject was brought up, discussed in our
papers, and publicly discussed in
meetings held in its interest. The in
terest was such thata charter was Sc
cured, a board Of managers appoint
ed, and also q finance committee to
solicit means. This finance commit
tee was an able one, composed OF re-
preventative business men in the city.
They met again and again, and dis
cussed the matter, and their conclu-
sion was that it was impossible to
raise the amount needed by private
subscription. The subject at that
time was extensively advertised, and
was brought to the attention OF every
one. For two years we have waited,
meanwhile hoping that some phil
anthropic individual would come for
ward, and furnish the necessary
means. The time however has gone,
and save the liberal offer made by
the railway company, no one, until
the recent agitation, has volunteered
any sum.
In December last the matter was
presented to the council as proper
subject for an appropriation from the
city. The council approaching its
Importance, agreed to submit prop
osition asking sec, 900 for this purpose.
1liiS tIOpOoilioA 10 LIZ" DcioiO eho
city.
At this time it is not unusual for
cities and states to appropriate sums
for such institutions as they do for
asylums and other buildings of gen.
eral use and necessity Under<exist-.
ing circumstances, and in the absence
of gifts from private individuals, the
city or state is bound to make some
provision for her helpless, sick and
injured, who otherwise must suffer.
1t is a burden, which like the burden
of other public buildings, should be
borne by ali.
The state of Pennsylvania has IN
dertaken this work, and within the
past few years has given $25, 900 to the
Orthop&dic Hospital of Philadelphia,
and $4,000 to the Altoona Hospital,
and other sums to others. Besides
this gift of the state, the general fund
of the Altoona Hospital was augment
ed by contribution Of $1,000 from
the Pennsylvania railroad; $1,000
from the Altoona Gas company; 3d.
47O from the employees Of the Penn
sylyania Railroad Machine shops,
81, 1853 from the employees of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Car shops, and
enough from other sources in the city
to raise the total upwards of $4,000.
The poverty of the state of Virginia
prevents her from undertaking this
work for her cities, but Roanoke is
amply able to provide this institution
for herself, and should do so with
$4,000 people, it is reproach that she
has absolutely no provision for her
sick and injured citizens. The re-
proach will be still greater if this ap-
preparation is not voted.
Every operative in the Machine
works, and Rolling mill. and Bridge
works, and furnace; every homeless
clerk and employee OF the railroads,
and the clerks and employees in our
stores and counting rooms, and the
hundreds of others dependent upon
the charity and kindness of others in
time of sickness are interested in this
institution.
ANY mai can take care of himself
when in health, but it must be mat
ter of the gravest concern to every
homeless man as he asks himself,
''Who will take care of me when | am
helplessly sick or injured, and who
will watch over me in my delirium
and keep me from taking my own
life, or SO exposing myself as to i'm
peril it?" This is serious question.
Does not our city owe this hospita! to
it's homeless citizens? x.
MINOR LOCALS.