Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-29
Race Mixture In Examinations ior
Public school Teachers.

To the Editor of the Dispatcn'
VIII YOU permit me through your col
unnns IN say a few words about the
"school of Methods which has Just
closed its session in Charlottesville va.
Its officials were efficient ana peasant
never too tired 10 lend a klnoly near
ing or TO give a helpful reply to the hume,
rous questions with which they were plieu
from morning until evening.
The body Of instructors constituted an
able corps. and each was fully equipped
with a store Of valuable information III
his special line and knew best now 10
imnart this knowledge TO the eager
listener and what will probably De Oh
more lasting benefit 10 the hearers tnah
the knowledge they drank In from ,ne
"Pferian-Spring' Is the ambition "hich
was aroused in their souls TO De soile-
thln, better and wiser than they are.
and TO strive 20 reach the topmost rouhu
OF the ladder OF learning
But the most perfect plan OF man mas ia,
It's defects, which may be observed py an,
even by those who would themselves
plan very inperfectly. and this commuhl,
cation is 10 suggest one OF several
changes which might be Improvements
The MANAGEMENT of our schools lot
teachers and schools for pupils Is OF VITAL
,mnortance for the welfare OF our homes
and our country. The schools Tor teacn-
ers profess to point out the best methous
for conducting the primary scnools, hehSe
what is right for one is right lor ti,o
Other I wish TO protest most strohBS
ami earnestly against the outrage OF nay
ing blacks and whites take their eNaii'-
nations together; not only under .ne
same Instructor and in the same ouilu-
ing. but IN the same room. NO dlsuno-
ton made on account OF color. Inc re-
dned lady and the burly negro man placed
on an equal footing, In the same i0oi'
and at similar desks.
what man OF proper feeling would
like TO see his wife, daughter, or sister
so situated?
some thoughtless person or canning
hvnocrite will say. as there any more
reason for Directing to being IN tne
| school-room together than on a PUBIC
| conveyance. or in Heaven?" Yes, we
can make our school laws TO suit our
own ideas. but the evil Of the same pup
| lie conveyance is put upon us py the
government and Heaven is too FAR IRON
| most OF us for US to worry about the
| color-line there. nm. -.
The church has tested the futility OF
having the two races in one church oulld'
| ing. or in one body polite. and decided II
wise 10 have separate and different rules
| of church government in order 10 OBTAIN
the best results for both races.
| one Of the ladies attending the aiore'
said School OF Methods, and desiring &c
take the examination. requested that sn'
he allowed TO sit in a different room
from that occupied by the negros, but mel
request was denied. Thus one must either
forego the privilege OF an examination OF
be thrust in unpleasant proximity 10 the
| Ethiop.
only a short step from this to theii
being but one and the same summer
normal for the Negro and Caucasian
| crowded and jostled side by side. Th'
next shorter step would be for our yount
children-yes, our daughters-to be train
ed in the same schools, and probably
| going 10 and from school in company
| with the African brother. Next follows
the same hotels and boarding-houses; th'
same table; perhaps the same bed
room.
A natural consequence would be socia
eauality and no further shrinking from
receiving the inferior race at our tre
| sides The next picture is too revolt
ing 10 be contemplated.
Is IL not best for both races that dis
tlnctions be observed, and to avoid taking
initial steps blindly? N. IL. q.
Wlngina, Va.