New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-05
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL

THE TUSKEGEE NEGRO CONFERENCE.
WORKERS FOR THE ELEVATION OF TIE BLACK
MAN EXCHANGE VIEWS AND REPORT
PROGRESS
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Despite the exceedingly bad condition Of the
roads due to the melting of a heavy fall OF snow
nearly 400 farmers attended the Fourth Negro
Conference, which convened at Tuskegee. Wednes-
day, February %. There showers of bless
ngs In the form OF prominent visitors. among
these being Or Frissel DR. Wadron and Miss
Ludlow, OF Hampton the Rev. DR.. CLANCY, Of
Richmond Va: DIR. Satterfeld Of Scotia seminary:
Miss Anna L. Dawes,of Pittsfield. Mass Miss Griffin
OF Spelman Seminary; Professor Dodge Of Berea
College the Rev. DIR. John. of Clark University;
Mrs NJ u. benjamin. OF Milwaukee,; +. G. Silsby.
OF Talladega College and Professor Harris Of FISK
University. Letters of regret were received from
President Gates. OF Amherst College; President
Gilman. of Johns Hopkins University; President
Mitchell. OF Wilberforce University: DR. Broadus.
of the Baptist Seminary, Louisville. Ky. Bishop
Penick. OF Baltimore. and other prominent men.
Various phases OF the situation were discussed
attention being confined. Mr.. Washington sug
gesed, to the evils that be remedled. The sub
jects dwelt upon were buying homes getting edu-
cation. and elevating the standard of morals.
colored preacher present said that In his county
Everybody and his daddy Is under ortgages."
He added that they are trying TO get rid of them
but that this is hard for men to do who work FOR
81 or s. month and do not always get that. All
were advised 10 try get property. one farmer
declared there "ain't thing in the world can
better our condition 'cept muscle and brain
The fact brought out that the great obstacle
In the way of buying land is the fact that 1t Is
usually sold in such large tracts IA TO place II
beyond the means OF the average colored FARMER
Stephen Porter of South Carolina, told how Mrs
Steele a Northern white missionary had greatly
helped the people In his vicinity 10y buying large
tracts OF land and selling II in small quantities al
s. an acre. without interest.
Referring to the emigration craze. another farmer
said: "Ciet property and you won't want 10 20
away. II you got nothing In this country, you
just go to Africa as anywhere else IL
was agreed that the South offers the best business
opportunities for the colorcd man. The necessity
was shown for the farmers TO diversity their crops.
so as to raise In addition 10 cotton all or the most
Of their food supplies.
The subject Of morals evoked much discussion.
The opinion was general that there is a gradual
improvement. but that there Is much need of help
and teaching in this direction. Il was found tha'
the average session az the public schools In the
country districts is three months. All present were
urged 10 tax themselves and 10 Influence their
neighbors to do the same. in order to extend the
term to at least six months rs has been don"
places.
4 kind and helpful address was delivered by
native white Southcrncr. who has rendered prac-
teal ala from time to time 10 IN" 'i'''
on his plantation. and In other ways has SHOWN
himself friend to the
The next day the Congress OF Workers held
morning and afternoon session. at "hl'h ne Pt'I
dent Of the Hampton Institute pr,rlded w'nty-
called on first. Among other things he said that
all OF the schools need to make an cnor, To Keep
dcncy to grow away from the masses. and TINS
tendency Tusk"gcc tries TO avoid tn" Farmers
in wbb sh is sssteI bv the senior sris our
Sfu "A q IA III
Training school are mainly ministers In charge
OF churches Tuskcgce also lays great stress upon
the Industrial feature OF ts work We take N"
common things Of lie ana show how TO dignity
them We take the common black boy ana show
him how to put brains into his work Ninety per
Gsn the Of Snr 6ro have 2 to ocn Jr d ys
pared the now almost obsolete ~htcwashcr with
day. the old black NANNY the professional
pations. once held almost exclusively by tho col
orei peopl" are FAST slipping away from th"in b..
ordinary avocatons o. he.
Or satterhed. OF scotia seminary. said 40
attention work for the home Among The col
orcd people there Is great need - good teachers.
In the schools, X pupils 10 TO tho places they
call home and IND nothing there to co-op"ra,o
destroy the work Of he school %o,hlns is SO
imperatively necessary az tn" making ~ good
Professor Dodge; q ncrea colcsc. pointed on,
u" mn t o. ~ "H, ..'| ~
lcge. North Carolina. advocated thorough men
tai training which ~ill max" the student better
httel to enter any trade or profession he may
aft~rWaTd shoOse
Miss Bowen. o. ih" earlier graduates -
Tuskcgcc. told iu an interesting way OF her work
at Mount MeiEs. whore s"v"n y"lrs aso she 49,
tablishol school which IL s"fsupIoriiuE nv
these seven years Tho I"oplc have contributed
$500 10 the support ~ tho school They taught
selfh"lr selfroSDcct and the dignity - all forms
OF labor.
Miss Dawes the daughter 81 IA" Mnssac husctts
* senator emphasized ~" importauc" u tho
small schools throushout thu Black Belt
Many other interesting an Suggestive talks were
made. and tn" congress adjourned. f'-'lluc that
much good had been arcomglI shed hy this coming
together PRIOR 70 Adjournment resolutions Hcr"
passed expressing regret AT IN" death OF Fred
crick Douglass
JOSEPHINE T. WASHINGTON
Tnskegce. Ala. Fch. .. lsh