The age-herald., 1897-09-21
THE QUESTION OF TUITION Alleged Discrimination Against the Whites.
  RACE PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS White Shields Will Take an Active Part-Mayor Evans Talks Tn Defense of the
 Board of Education.

Tho action of the board of education in fixing the tuition for the whites al a higher figure than for the negroes has aroused great indignation in certain cir cles
 The White Shield has taken hand in the matter and the fight promises to be rather warm. It is claimed that the tuition charged will practically exclude numbers of peor children, and this, aug mented by the fact that lower rate has been fixed for the negroes, is the whole cause of the dissatisfaction.
 1t is being freely predicted that the charges of tuition will cause a light at tendance in the white schools, and those in power openly admit that a very slim attendance in the negro schools is ex pected. Tt is possible that mot enough pupils will be in attendance to justify the continuance of the colored schools.
 Mayor Evans is ex-officio vice-presi- dent of the board of education, and, speaking on this subject, said:
 ''The whole truth of the matter is That there had to be discrimination, as some have called it, or no negro schools. During the three months of the past term when tuition was charged it was proven that the negro private schools charged such low rate of tuition that the negroes would send to them alto gether. It would never do to have the schools suspend
 'It must also be remembered that the negro teachers are paid about half the salary of the white teachers. Why, if anything, the negroes are being dis criminated against. More pupils are placed under the negro teachers, the examination for the teachers is not so rigid and they occupy a $6,00O building, while the whites occupy one fitted with all modern conveniences and costing $5o,- 00O In fact, the facilities are about one- half and the negroes pay the same poll tax.
 "A gentleman came to me the other day, before the rates of tuition were fixed. He inquired what the tuition would be for children and 10 years old.
 
 $1 or s1.5O per month. He told me the hultion of the private schools was $3 pr month. He said this was good news to him; that he had intended to send his children to the public schools if the tui- tion did not exceed $3, on account of the excellent advantages and facilities.
 There are number of colored cfti- zens in Birmingham who pay property tax, and I am strongly in favor of the colored race being educated, and am anxious to afford them every facility possible.
 eff any one can furnish certificate to the effect that they are unable to pay tuition they will have no trouble in get ting in school. Any poor widow woman or helpless person who is unable to work can come to me and I will see that their children go to school"
 A gentleman who called at the office of Mayor Evans yesterday afternoon stated that he could not afford to send his children to school if tuition was charged and that he would make efforts to get out of town.
 Dr. Dozier, a member of the commit tee on Investigation appointed by the White Shield, said concerning this mat ter:
 "Our committee had a meeting to de- eide on plan of action and consult with our attorney. Three prominent attor- neys have assured us that the action of the board of education in discriminating against the white children and in favor of the negroes, was illegal. We are eo- ing ito push this matter to the end at once. Our committee is authorized to proceed to action according to our dis-e cretion, without further advice from the conclave. We are authorized to incur any expense necessary in the prosecution of this duty and the entire strength of the order, numbering over 200 members dn this city and over 5000 throuehout the state, Is pledged in the cause.
 "The action of the board in this case is, in our opinion great wrong against the white people, and is making hard- ship upon the very class of people for whom public schools were instituted"