The age-herald., 1897-09-14
TECHNICS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS

In the SOutn mas been interpreted to sig1 nifty aa intention on the part of the pow- CTS that be- to create friction between the whites and tfis blacks. which may result in republican gains at future elec- tions. It is evidently the desire of Mark Hanan to disturb the rapidly growing, kindly feeling which exists between the wIlaaa5 people of the south. and the ex- slaves and their descendants. The ne- gro can safely be depended upon in the majority of eases to vote the republican ticket. There is apparently no way of arguing him out of this fclly. He con- sideTs himself indebted to that organi- zation for freedom, and he rarely is quite ready to stop paying this debt. While this is the case generally in the south it is clearly apparent to the most care less observer that ths old bitterness be- tween the races is gradually passing away, and President McKiniey's efforts to bring about the state of things hither- to existing by thrusting upon southern communities certain negro officials has thus far produced but small impression upon the present state of affairs.
 People who know nothing of this sec- tion save through the prejudicial reports of certain journals, little realize the boundless good already accomplished in ths direction of encouraging kindly re- lations between the whites and the blacks of the south by those negroes who have become interested in the in- dustrial education of their race. The work of Booker T. Washington is fa- miliar, of course, to every newspaper reader, but one does mot realize the mag nitude of the industrial educational movement in Alabama unless they know something of the labors and aspirations of w. H. Councill who is president of the Agricultural and Meeha anical College for Negroes, at Normal. Madison county, Alabama.
 This school was organized in May, 1875, with an annual appropriation of $1.000, and a faculty of two teachers. The pupils numbered the first year only SSety From year to year the school grew in importance, number of faculty and students, and from time to time the appropriation was increased to meet the imperative demands, which came from growth. In 1882 through the self-denial of the principal, w. H. Councill and his teachers, lot in Huntsville was pur- chased for school purposes, and suitable buildings were erectsd. The teachers. in order to accomplish this, had donated half of their salaries to the state, for the benefit of the negro race, and to aid in advancing the cause of education. This property was deeded to the state of Alabama, and hencefoIth the growth and progress of the school was phe- rlomenal. About 1882, the industrial work was begun in connection with lit- enary pursuits; sewing, cutting, fitting and cooking were taught the girls. The boys were instructed in printing, car- pantry, gardening, mattress making, etc. The legislature of Alabama has granted a gene1lons annual appropria- tion to this school, increasing 1t from time to time. Later the Huntsville property was sold and a tract of 182 acres was purchased for the school four miles from Huntsville, n=ar two lines of railway. This has been improved; large new buildings have been erected, and old ones renIovated. There is now at this agricultural and mechanical col l4ge all the necessary appliances, all the modern Improvements for thorough instruction in all the industrial and me- chanical arts.
 
 Last year the graduating class of the Agricultural and Mechanical college was a large one; eighty-nine students re- ceived diplomas in the various branches taught. The faculty numbers thirty four, the students four hundred. The trustees are Messrs. A. s. Fletcher, s. J. Mayhew, Daniel Coleman and E. H. Andrews, all of Huntsville. The board of managers embraces such men as Hon. Cornelius Bliss, Hon. James Will son, Gov. Joseph r. Johnston and Hon. J. O. Turner.
 w. H. Councill. the president of the Agricultural and Mechanical college, has worked unceaslngly for the build ing up of this school. He has endeavor- ed to impress upon his people the neces- sity for the existence of kindly and helpful relations between the whites and blacks of the south, and, like Booker T. Washington, he is sending out into the workshops, the fields, the schools wherever the negro must live and labor in Alabama and other portions of the south-men and women who have been taught the gospel of peace and recon ciliation. In speech delivered a few years ago Prof. Council said: "The exaltation of mind over matter, of love over hate, will magnify man in the sight of man, as in the sight of his Maker. Only ideals are immortal, and men are immortal as they stand for ideals. Hold up the ideals of peace and love before the youth of the land. Do not put be- fore them those things which make them cruel and wicked" With Wash ington at Tuskegee, Williams at Talia- dega and~Councill at Normal directing the negro mind in Alabama towards what is upright and wholesome, it will be difficult matter for the policy of hate and bitterness ever to be made dominate again in this state, even by so willy politician as Mark Hanna, of Ohio. BALL.
 They'd Want the Chief.
 +o1,