The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-07
AFTER TIE MEaRo coLLsa
A Mass Meeting of Colored People Dis
clssas fna EducariOnnl Question.

A strong effort IS being made TO SECURE
the Location Of the branch of the state
university, established by the last lsgis-
lature for the education of colored students,
at Savannah. Revs J. c. Simms, A Har-
ri,, e. K Love and other influential leaders
of the colored people are dong some earnest
work in this direction. They propose to
offer large sum of money and a site OF
land for the location of the school in Sa-
| vannah.
The movement has been confined entirely to
the colored people 50 far, who will contribute
literally themselves, but an effort will be
| made TO interest the city council and the
| board OF education IN the movement.
A meeting Of tine colored people was held
| in the basement of the First African
Baptist churon, on Franklin square, last
night for the purpose Of securing the school.
| The meeting was held in accordance with
a call published by the pastors Of several
of the colored churches Of the city IN Tues
| days MORNING NEWS.
The meeting opened at O'Clock, with an
attendance Of about $50. 1t organized by
the election Of Rev. A. Harris, pastor Of the
| Second Bryan Baptist church, chairman :,
and James Ross secretary. Rev J. NJ.
Simms stated the object Of the
meeting. He spoke at some
length up the question. He said
Il
bidding for the school. He considered
Savannah the most eligible site, and be-
| lIeved that IL would be a great benefit to
| the colored people here. Though not in the
central portion OF the state, Savannah, he
said, is situated in very con-
spicuous and very desirable part Of what is
| known as the black belt of Georgia
Other cities in thu state have negro COL
legeS, but Savannah has none. The Oldest
educational institution in the state, Chat
ham Academy, he said, Is situated here, and
is lob years old. The people in Savannah
have greater experience in educational mat
tiers than any other city In the state. He
proposed a set Of resolutions upon the sub
ject to be acted upon by the meeting,
which were read.
Another set OF resolutions was presented
by another party very nearly the same as
these presented by Rev. Simms, but cover
ing some additional points. A committee
was appointed TO harmonic the two sets of
resolutions and combine them, which was
done. A discussion of the subject was then
begun Capt. j. G. Simmons was glad
of the fact that the colored people are
to have college, but he thought
it should be located in the country,
as far away from the communicating
influences Of city, as in Liberty county,
for instance.
This brought Rev. E K Love to his feet,
and he proceeded to demonstrate in a
very forcible manner that the only
successful colleges in this Sec
ton, white or black, are those
located in the cities, and that school Of
this character can only receive proper sup
port in large city. He made a strong
argument for the location of the school
here, showing both the need Of the colored
people Of such school and their ability to
support it, He said that At
ojf af in
the black belt, has become the center Of
education of the colored people for the
entire south. The southeastern portion OF
this state, he said. is the black belt, all Of
which country is contiguous to Savannah,
and would aid in the support Of a colored
college.
very intelligent general discussion of
the subject followed, the expressions being
unanimously in favor Of the school.
Rev. j. G. SHINES, in further talk, said
that when he was a member Of the legislat>
ure from Chatham county, in 1S69-'70, he
urged upon the legislature that it was the
| duty of the state to provide an educationa al
Institution for the colored people similar to
the state university. but in spite of his op-
| POSITION the IS, 900 to which they were enti-
tied under the law by the gift Of
| the government was given to a
| private Institution under UNCONVENTIONAL
control in Atlanta. Now that the state has
decided TO do what it as urged to do years
ago, he was anxious that this section, which
stands so much in need of an institution Of
| this kind, should secure the advantage Of it.
He said the negroes of Savannah are better
off financially than the negroes of any other
city in this state, and are able to contribute
literally to such an institution. He has
| examined the books Of the tax receiver, and
finds that the negroes OF Savannah pay
taxes on 1859, $50 of real estate and
$4,75O of personal property, and that
| the negroes OF Chatham county outside the
city pay taxes on $274. 500 of real estate, and
$lS.495 personal property, making a total
aggregate of 1868, lis, upon which the ne-
groes of Chatham county pay taxes. Allow
| ing for the usual difference in taxable
| and market values the negroes of
the county cannot hold less than $1,000, 900
OF real and personal property. This fact,
| he thought, Is sufficient to guarantee the
support of u college located here. He be-
lieved the colored people could afford to
raise $4,000 or 5000 and furnish site to
secure the college.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
by rising vote, They are as follows:
WHEREAS, The legislature of Georgia by an
act has provided for the establishment, In con-
nection with the state university, and forming
| one of the departments thereof, school for
| the education and training of oolored students
| and the commission appointed by the governor
I
| location of said school; therefore,
Resolved, That this meeting OF citizens Of Sa-
| vannah does hereby declare that it is favor Of
and desires that said school be located In or
| near this city, as hereafter may be determined
| and it is prepared to, and does now proceed to
| offer to the commission as favorable induce
| ments as it can possibly offer for that purpose
| >. RESOLVED, That committee of nine be ap-
| pointed to look out a convenient and desirable
site for the location OF @ school and obtain an
option for sixty days on the same to be ten
| dered the com mission on March 20, 1891.
3. Resolved, That the committee shall have
plenary powers; that subscription list be
opened and the city be thoroughly canvasseu,
| 4, Res JtUed, That a petition be sent TO the
| county comm sSioners of Chatham county and
the city council, earnestly requesting them to
| assist us in our efforts to get the school in
| Savannah.
| 3. ResolUed That canvass OF the surround
| ing counties be made also, as the school will
greatly benefit them; and, also, that our city
papers be requested to assist US in this laudable
| undertaking.
| g. Resolved That we do most earnestly and
| respectfully request the board of education of
| Chatham county to indorse our petition 90 the
| commission, and thereby evidence their ap-
proval of our desire, aud that a copy of these
resolutions be presented them at their next
| meeting.
The following committee of nine was ap-
pointed:
Rev. A Harris. chairman, Rev. E. K.
Love, Rev. J. III. Simms, J. H. c. Butler
Rev. J. B. Lotion, Rev. b. j. Ingraham. J.
| n Simmons 7 MCTntoch II Ma~ualI