The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-07
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Mental Education Prerequisite Y"
Industrial Training.
To the Editor OF The Fest.


\ number OF notoriety seekers have arisen
lately who in their mad rush for CHEAP
and short lived task Of popular favor. are
advocating all sorts Of theories and making
George Washington bows TO the public to
gain personal popularity.
Because one man took snuf and the
multitude sneescd. these men are pinchlng
snu6 also hoping that they will gath pub
lie attention. Many OF them would serve
tho devil for gain--woud sell their birth
right and mother to attract notice.
Because Booker I, Washington has play
ed "cleyerly" to sympathlsing audiences
North and South. host OF imitators are
arising and pandering to a too willing ma
joriiy on the subject OF Industrial education
for the young negro versus intellectual
education for young "Sambo" and his sis
Ter
We would not FOR Il moment disparage
industrial education. bu' VIXEN our friend
with name of distinguished and revered
memory advocates mdNrs training as the
one thing needed, then We propose to rise
up aud contend FOR the right.
The g!si OF this new gospel from the
East is, that the negro should be taught
| 10 labor with his hanis--that education be
male subordinate to this end.
There are a number OF people who turn Il
ready ear 10 this doctrine OF teaching Sam
bo' his place; Of simply making him a
more serviceable tool slightly improved
thing. In short, of getting another patent
ior a recently discovered improvement and
forthwith they proceed To put the new
negro with the patches or him on the labor
market. This new nogrc after the new
ten fs 49,
Wood pile. without any improved brains
without developed IDEAS. an imtator fol-
loving In the path OF his inviting fathers.
Let these men, who imagine that they
nave found calling practice their own
doctrine before they tell others what to do
We want industrial education. we need it,
but we think the mind makes the man.
and in our opinion, stress should be put
hist on mental development Us the basis for
rear industrial education our faith has
substantial basis in history and our own
short experience is proof 10 our satisfaction
that such should be the order OF real pro-
gress.
Because the public has an itching ear for
this Booker II. Washington idea. several of
our teachers who tack teaching onto politics
are standing on their hind legs aud shout
ins for policy; trafficklng I'm ignorance us
usual and at the expense " manhood
Ihev tell the multitude what they want
and tomorrow industriai education, not col
lege: the hoe and not the speller. Such a
man is slapped gently on the back of his
dust covered Prince Albert and called
good niger" and the simpston believes
TINS compliment to his intelligence rather
than punch at his ignorance go to thou
fool"
For nersonal interest. these policy teach
ers are neglecting the real racial needs.
and are intoxicating ideas that must prove
mischievous in d few years.
Let no man cast his shadow on the dial
plate. but let those In position raise their
voices for complete education for ue as
for others and allow inclination TO send our
bows and their sisters 10 school first. and
then TO the shop and farm as 1t does others
II we can not win on this line. then let us
be driven to the wall by those who 20 from
the school rooms to shops and fields
Respectfully,
~ j. W. Mckinney.