The age-herald., 1897-09-28
The Fee Question Chief Topic of
 a Mass Meeting.
FREE SCHOOLS YEAR ROUND
Dr.. Dozier Said There Was Something Rotten in Educational Affairs---Mr. O'Brien Took Umbrage and Wordy Tilt Ensued.

The following resolution was passed at mass meeting of citizens last night:
 "It is resolved, That the sen- tlment of the meeting is that the public schools be kept open absolutely free of any charge, pending investigation by the appointed committee and their final report; and, that during that time no charge be made upon any pupil or collected by any teacher or principal of the schools of Birmingham until this matter is reported upon by the committee and subsequently settled by action of our citizens" "The school fee question was argued in all its phases last night at the Broth erhood of Locomotive Engineers hall, committee was appointed to confer with the board of education and a resolutio adopted condemning the fee system.
 About thre+ hundred citizens were present at the advertised hour of 8 o'clock, when the. meeting was called to order by Capt. liant, who advised those present to calmly and dispassion- ately consider the matter to be discuss ed. He nominated Kenneth F. Flaw kins for chaArman, who was elected. Capt. Hart and MT. Dowsing were nomi- hated for secretary, and Capt. Hart was elected.
 Dr. Dozisr then stated the object and aim of the meeting to be the solution of the gravest question which had ever confronted the people of Birmingham. He said that there was a shortage in the public school fund, and the comnission- CTS had proposed to educate the negro children cheaper than the white, which would discourage intended northern inn migrants. He declared that the public schools should be opened to all free, and added:
 'Tt is possible to do this throughout the ensuing scholastic term without a county or state.
 
 for a week and have arrived at the con cluston that it Is as black as he'll and smells like a coon.
 'It will be a blot on the escutcheon of Alabama to give to negroes greater edu- cational facilities than those accorded to the white children created in Gods own image"
 Maj. Hunter spoke next and said tflaIt the figures showed that twice as much money was proposed to be paid for the education of negroes a,s for that of whates, and in an eloquent speech called for justice and equality in the mat tier. tCareful inves gation hias shown us that the several sources from which we can draw will supply ample funds 10 keep free schools for aIl open for six or eight mon,tlhs,' he concluded. Sheriff O'Brien took exception to Dr. Dozier's remarks to the effect that there was something rotten about the admin dstration of school matters, and said that the school board had be-n confronted by great difficulties. He and the liner members of the board proposed to ob- tain an act by the legislature awthoriz- ing a special tax to raise enough to run free schools. JAS matters stood, the school board would have no income wr- tfl next January.
 .sIf the board of education could do better with other members am willing to resign and let Dr. Doz.er or any other man take my place." explained the s'her- if, amid applause.
 The sheriff then read the following finandal statement: