Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-18
EDUCATING THE NEGRO.
The State Normal and Industrial
 School for Colored Students.
Progress and Advancement. Interesting Facts Connected With the Management of
 This Worthy Institution.
To the Age- Herald:

All AlaOaLnlHuS art dWdTo Iuhb buero ls near Huntsville a state normal and indus- trial school for colored students, but how few are aware of what it has accomplished, of the progress it has made and the ad- vancement 1t is still making.
 It was inaugurated some years ago by William H. Council, colored Alabamian of much culture, man whose adminis- trative abilities have been thoroughly tested, and whose conspicuous success in the management, enlargement and solidi- flying of this school is not only credita ble to him, but it has added honor to his state. His work shows for itselt and emphasizes his worth. Already the school is entitled to place side by side with the great edu- cational enterprises of the south.
 It belongs wholly to the commonwealth of Alabama, fact that President Council loses nc opportunity to stress and in which it is evident he takes most commendable and patriotic pride. At first the school was located in the city of Huntsville, but it took only few years to demonstrate to the president and his board of trustees that the school muet have more elbow room if it was to do the work that seemed to open before it.
 By permission of the state the school property in the city was sold and some two or three miles away 1S2 acres were purchased, end as soon as practicable the school removed thereto. The location seems to be all that could be desired, with the single exception of water supply, this being dependent for portion of the year upon wells of considerable depth, but of excellent quality. The site of the school is among the foothills of the Cumberland mountains, 1200 feet above the sea level, and one of the loveliest of landscapes stretches out far and wide, pleasing and picturesque as poets dream.
 The grounds are situated between two railroads with depot hard by on either side.
 It was the pleasure of the writer recently to visit this school. He was not simply surprised he was pleased-pleased beyond description by what he witnessed within and without. Of tbe buildings there are several three-storied--two of which are handsome and even imposing in appear ance. One thing is worthy of note just here: These two elegant structures were not only designed, but were built by those connected with the school, all the work having been done by the pupils themselves. But anyone can see that the school is still at no little disadvantage tor the lack of ad- equate accommodations and appliances. Quite number of old buildings that were on the grounds when purchased are util- lzed for different schools In the industrial department. An old stable, for instance, strong and broad, has been cleaned and re- paired for the school of backsmithing. Fifty thousand dollars would not be too much to expend to make the industrial and literary departments what they should be. And some benevolent soul who has the money could hardly do a more blessed thing than to douate that amount, to be expended by President Council and his trustees. There is not steam engine on the grounds and nearly all the work has to be done by hand.
 h the industrial department are taught agriculture and what pertains thereto, the raising and treatment of live stock. The visitors were shown herd of hogs be- longing to the school, and finer swine are not to be seen anywhere. The cattle, too, are first class. Beside agriculture there are schools of carpentry, printing, paint ing. backsmithing, plumbing, shoemak- ing, mattress making, cutting and sewing, laundering, etc. In the carpentry school we found the pupils engaged in making out bills of lumber. In the school of black smithing the old time music of the ringing anvil and the flying sparks reminded the writer of the days long ago, when 1t was his delight to visit the village blacksmith. The shoemaking school seems to be one of President Councils pets, and he is looking forward to day not distant when drum mers will take the road for the sale of the ''Normal shoe.' Professor Lowrey, who is at the head of this school, showed by his brief lecture on the science of shoe cutting and the structure of foot gear, as well as the manipulation of some of his machines, that be is an expert and glories in bis business.
 Ou6 JuluB d FlellOE CduuOb tdli bO OoScINO is the extreme neatness throughout all the buildings. This is especially observable in tue sleeping apartments, in the cook ing school, in the hospital-n fact, every where you are pleased with the perfect cleanliness of the place. And so far as seen there was marked absence of any slovenliness in the apparel of tho pupils. The lunch prepared by pupils in the oook- ing school evoked hearty compliments from those who enjoyed the pleasant re- past.
 There is religious influence exerted in the institution which cannot fail to have a haliowing effect on the pupils now and in after life. There is preaching by the chaplain at Il o'clock every Sunday, and every pupil is required to attend. After this service comes the "hour of sileuce,' which every pupil is urged to observe. The hour Is spent in silent prayer and medita- tion, in reading the Bible and religious conversation. There are other religious services beside the Sunday preaching.
 Music is by no means ignored. A brass band belongs to the institution, and the school of music is taught by competent teachers. Pupils and teachers know how to sing. The writer has rarely listened to SO grand concord of human voices. It was inspiring.
 :. The literary and scientific departments are under the tuition of highly educated and experienced teachers, all of them having been graduated by irst-class uni-
 
 Canada-ons being graduate of Harvard.
 The wonder is that So much has already been done in building and enlarging this most deserving institution. That there has been much liberality and self sacrifice for it's benefit on the part of the president and his teachers the writer has from good authority. The institution is now full to overfiowing; there are 400 pupils. More room is greatly needed. There are repre-. sentatives from quite number of states, aud one from Africa.
 'And how is it," said the writer to President Council, "that you have this it- tie AfricaDf" (He is about 16 and small of stature.)
 He was slow to say. 'But," said he at length, CT will telly you just as the boy tells il: He says he belonged to the Vie tribe and lived nearly 500 miles from the coast. He dreamed that if be would go to the coast he would meet 'big God mana man who would tell him of the big God '-the God of all gods. He set out and travelled alone 500 miles to reach the Liberian coast. It so happened that Bishop Taylor was there and he was directed to him, but his heart sank with in him when he saw the bishop, for he was not the Dig God man.