The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-04

| The reply OF the City School Board TO tho
! powhatan Club with reference to the employ
ment of negro teachers in tho cclored schools
which was published in our Sunday issue,
contained in brief space q moderate ana
| sensible statement Of the reasons which sus-
tain the policy of appointing only coiored IN
| structors in the schools which are established
for the education of coiored children
Il was perhaps supererogatory in the Board
returning any reply TO the Powhatan Club, ms
that organization is simply political. without
any claim TO a public official character anu
therefore devoid of any official right to call
upon the School Board to explain and justify
a course OF conduct pursued in accordance
with law and with the approval OF the com
munity At large. Having expressed wiling
ness TO give On answer as matter OF courtesy,
we suppose, the School Board could hardly
have been more temperate OF more convincing
in the terms which 1t employed. The seven
considerations which it enumerates in favor
of the retention of negro teachers in negro
schools embody in the succinctest form the
many indisputable reasons that can be adj
yanced in support OF such retention.
Eminently true was the statement contained
in the reply that whatever moral or mental
improvement the negroes are capable OF at
tanning can only be secured by throwing upon
them 80 far as accords with prudence, the re-
sponsbility of their own elevation As mo
coiored schools are conducted under the care
full supervision Of most respectable corps OF
white principals. it will be seen that the con-
ditions of prudence are observed a. strictly as
the special circumstances demand. II the
principals of the colored schools were not
white but black then there would be room
for criticism As it Is, il the colored teachers
take advantage Of their position to abuse its
privileges misapply its duties and ignore It's
responsibilities the fault lies at the door OF
the white principals. They can correct the
evil with promptness which will discourage
its being repeated in the future.
We trust very sincerely that the question
will never again come up, especially if the OBJ
ject of it's agitation is for the promotion of
political purposes. Our public school system
in its relation 10 the blacks as well as the
whites should not be dragged into politics.
II is aud should remain nonpartisan, thing
apart from political wrGngles and squabbles.
The public schools of this city are managed
with degree Of skill and ability as well as
with o conscientiousness that have made them
instruments of incalculable advantage for the
advancement Of the prosperity and good repu-
taton Of our community. The selfish and
degrading hand of party politics should never
be permitted TO intrude upon them to lower
their character and diminish their usefulness.
They are safe in the confidence and favor Of
every fair minded citizen as long as we have
school boards which can give the reasons for
the faith that is in them, as forcibly yet as
temporarily, as pointedly yet as conyincingly,
as the present Board has done in the instance
of the proposed removable the negro teachers
who fill positions in our public schools.