Middletown transcript., 1891-02-26
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i CoMMUNICATED.
Public Education for the Negr oes.
| EDITOR TRANSCRIPT Since !
have returned from Milford where
attended the "School Delegates Con-
vention, /" and also the Teachers In.
stitute on the 18th, 18th, and 14th inst,
from which was drafted memorial to
the Legislature asking for better
educational system for colored people,
| find many anxious to know just what
was done, and this anxiety is not con-
fined to the negroes alone, but affects
our white friends as sympathizers. If
you will allow me space in your valu-
able columns will submit the body
of that memorial enclosed in the form
of a set of resolutions offered by N.Y.
self and accepted by the Institute and
Convention. These resolutions having
preceded the memorial, of which / am
also author, but have misplaced the
copy. Hoping these suffice in the
present emergency for an explanation
TO the reading public, I submit the
following preamble and resolutions
WHEREAS, In the great array
of states and territories of
our common country with vast
systems of education reporting
from time to time their progress and
advancement to the National Bureau
of Education at Washington, we OBJ
serve none shouldering the responsi-
bility of general education as little as
Delaware, though having scores, yes,
hundred years the advantage of many
Of her sisters in this branch of politi-
cal policy. With twenty-nine colored
colleges south of "Mason and Dixons''
line, there is not one to be claimed by
Delaware. This state of affairs shocks
the best thinking people of the State
that boasts of being the Diamond
State Of these United States.
Secondly, Whereas, the present sys-
tenn of the public schools being so
defective as relevant to negro educa-
ton, and proscriptive withal. inculcat-
ing in pupils, prejudice, antipathy, and
partisan bias, and to teachers fostered
race-prejudice, spleen and disgust for
public officials who should be respect
ed. Therefore, be it
Resolued, That we, the members of
this Convention in session met do
hereby petition thro ugh memorial TO
the Legislature of Delaware in general
assembly met, the urgent necessity
of an improvement, if not II general
revolution and reconstruction of the
entire system of negro education in
the State of Delaware.
ResolUed, That we hail with un-
measured pleasure that clause in Gov.
Reynolds inaugural address OF Goth
ultimo. in which was asserted the
plausibility and necessity o. "a radical
change in the educational system of
the State, and secondly the appoint
ment of a general superintendent in
addition to the county superintendent.
Resolved, Further that the Surplus
School Fund spoken of in the same
inaugural speech be disbursed in the
purchase of school books for the free
schools, we recommend to be held as
a reserve fund until a revised school
system is secured and nine months |
session held in all schools where an
average attendance equals sixteen or |
more regular pupils daily of colored,
and all schools white and colored work |
upon the same general system. |
Resolved, That we have reviewed
with pleasure and interest the proceed |
irgs Of the first annual sessions of the
Advisory Council of Delaware which
convened August 25th, 1890, and
heartily endorse the sentiments there
expressed as referring to our public sys-
tenn of conducting schools and cleo
tion of teachers for the various schools. |
and the necessities Of facilities for a
higher education through college or
university Of the State.
Resolved, That we know full well
there is an endowment annually for |
the benefit of all citizens of Delaware. |
irrespective of color, to Delaware Col
lege, situated at Newark and that by
the acceptance of said en- dowment and
the tenor of the "Morrill Bill ~ ap.
proved August Both. 1890, which made
it possible, the doors of Delaware
College stand open wide to all. But.
as teachers of the State and constitu.
ents Of our people by virtue of Offices
and delegations, we relinquish our
claims on Delaware College, knowing
the antagonism to mixed schools, il
the Legislature will purchase site and
erect the necessary building, to carry
out the aims of said college and the
aims of the Morrill, Act, with a corps
of teachers from our own ranks, or
mixed tutors.
RESOLVED, Lastly but not least, that
the seeming indifference of some
parents to the utility of the school,
room for their children coupled with
truant disposition of other children,
that system of compulsory education
is most conspicuonsly needed and ask
ed for J. E. WILLIAMS.