Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-06
SCHOOLING THE NEGROES
DO THE OOLOBED CHILDREN TAKE
KINDLY TO B0OksP
Discussion Among the EsIncKs-Prs-
siding Elder Anderson 10 the pe-
fence OF the Present Teachers
"rwiIight Editor HsrinckIV
Wants an Investigation.

join the society. A collection was taken
up and then the chief business OF the
evening was debate upon the question
whether the colored people appreciate the
educational advantages offered them here.
Il. Worthington Brinokly OF the Dele.
mare 7toiliqht, was the fist speaker. Ee
took the affirmative. Among the points
ma Q by the speaker were that he be.
loved that the positions OF teacher in
the city oolored schools should be held
by colored girls of Wilmington. He as
serted that they could easily pass the de-
sired 65 examination marking, but thoy
had no opportunity Of preparation. He
added that the exami iaations held By
Superintendent Harlan in 1887 were un-
fair. The girls were not taught the sub
jeo.s in the high school in which they
were examined on that occssion.
He sccused "some person" Of causing
all this trouble. BE would not name
whom he meant. But Immediately read
a number cf letters which charged,
indirectly, Miss Kruse, principal of the
Howard school, with being the canse. He
continued adding thst ne msds no
charges and did not aoouso Miss Kruse.
II the letters we're not true the speaker
claimed ho was not to blame for publish
ing them. He got the letters from the
children and their parents. There are,
he added, at present SO applicants for
admission to the Howard school But
every Heat OF the 534 is filed. He did not
think the State OF DelaEs 8 legislGtes for
its schools. The colo,cl schools get only
SO, ,000 of an appropriation.
David Anderson followed in the mega
tiye. He showed that from indisputsble
facts, records Of the city schools, that
thn oolortd children, bearing reference 10
those in the Howard Beaool preparing for
teachers positions, were not ssdu nus in
their stuii8, had they be3n so their
markings iu the examinations would have
shown differently. He condemned ths
jnjudicious practice OF the parents,
themselves too often Unaiuoated, taking
the position of CRITICS of the rulings of
the board Of Eiuost. end OF the prin-
cipRl of the HoWar school. Msny Of
them are not even acquainted with the
elementary school Htui.ed and they pre-
sume to sit in Judgment on the school
authorities aud then listen 30 the idle
tattls Of their children, vino ia turn are
often too idle to prosecute their addi-
tional studies, necessary for teachers
qualifications. The srsaker was glad
that the white people ia.ogest them
selves in oolcred sduSAsion" Fe was in
favor OF holding up tbs hands Of the
B ard of Educaticn and OF the teachers
regularly appointed by ihem, Hs was il
favor of good government and orqer and
opposed TO sowing discussion.
Mr. BrineklS spoks agatu. Ha quoted
fha faf ff ~ 4
dates on the examination rSfsrrei 10,
that in some o. tha qucjgets abe SCORED
as high RS 70 Bus ia 81 thmetie hes
marking Wos ~, and IN composition Is.
Rer average wac 81. Tae speaker grew
demonatrAtivo. he cl9itnod with a
thump on the table, that tho white p aople
give the col1red race nothing. All he
wanted wss eqnai taxation Tor the II, 900
ne2ross Of the city aud equal representa-
ton. He believed that MIR. Baird and
Mr. Harlan now reg,et the statements
they made in regard 10 the colored pupils
at the Howard school not attending to
their studies. ''rhero will be ap investi-
CATION of all this. Thers's something
rotten in Denmark, and we've got to get
it out"
dir. Anderson followed, charging
Brinckly with going around 70 private
houses tattling and making up stories for
Sensational purposes, getting o lot OF
children's messages snd publishing them.
His paper, the 1toilt3ht, Fad better vanish
into the darkness and silence where it
belongs. He should got his news not
from irresponsible pupils alone, hut also
from the principals. klis charges are IN
fair, as they give only ons sido of the
question. If the oolorsd people were
educated they would not look at the Iioi,
light.
~ believe" he continued nin the
Board of Education of tnis city" Tha
speaker was impressed with the idea that
the members OF the board are gentlemen
who do the best that csn be done for the
oolored race in the city. In Maryland,
the speakers home, the colOred people
pay 81 quarter for schooling. here in
old Delaware, you pay nothing
II am not politician" he continued,
"politics and all this disssuslon and
quarreling should be kept away from the
educational question"
"YOu all remember who il was that
said, Public Ofiioe il Public Trust"
Let US then rather 60 to tAs board OF
education for our facts and for any in
formation iii regard to school government
than to the Dsldwa-o 2toi!igit. LII us
not go to children for goBgip. This prin-
cipal OF the high school sni not tie ohil-
dren should hays been interviewed by
Mr.. Brinckly.
Mr.. Brinckly was allowed On lis re-.
peated request TO SPEAK again.
President Miller announced that there
would be no decision upon the debate as
he believed ii to be sill Rn open qaos-
tion. An outsider or visitor made ths re-
quest that others might be Allowed to
offer remarks upon ths opic rs uu-
dOubtedly there exists wide difference
Of opinion upon ths matter as discussed.
This Was twice refused by counted
vote of the members OF the league.
When the meeting closed there wes q
noisy discussion. 1t was gathered that
what inspired Mir. Brinokiy wSs seantily
hidden opposition 10 Miss Kruse. ON
the other hand, however, there exists a
strong feeling against the sttsok made
against the principal OF the Howard
school. It is considered by many inllu-
ential colored people as entirely unwar-
ranted and Rs st present conducted quite
unfair and upmanly. Miss kruse is now
charged with lack of scholarship. A
statement was dropped, however, which
divulged the fact that cert in section
of oolored people want to see a male
principal established at the Howard
school in the place OF Miss Kruse.
It is arranged tibet Fhamss Il. Grahsul
of kent0n Del deliver hia nidyter ~,