The age-herald., 1897-11-23

l of the colored people has so changed in | this respect that there is a positive en- thuslasm for industrial education. We have here at Tuskegee about one thous- and students, and so anxious are they to learn some trade in connection with
 our literary and religious teaching, that
 our class rooms and industrial depart ments are always crowded and we are forced to refuse admission to hundreds each year. We have twentysix differ ent industries and trades in constant operation The work in connection Fth these industries is as popular with the students as the class room work
 One more evidence of progress. Six years ago I started, in connection with this institution. what is now known as the Tuskegee Negro Conference. From a small beginning this conference has grown to a great organization. Each year in February from 800 to LOGO repra- sentatives of the common hard work ing farmers, mechanics, teachers and ministers come together to consider the matters that the race has within its own power to remedy-the educational moral and industrial condition. Each year through the influence of these con- ferences the race is shown what power 1t has within itself for self help. By reason of the influence of this conference
 school houses are being built the public
 school term is being supplemented land
 is being bought, fewer mortgage their crops and a smaller number go in debt, more food supplies are being raised and decent homes are being built. An in fuence is being put in motion that s
 gradually getting rid of the immoral teachers and ministers. From this yearly conference at Tusl1egee have grown local conferences that are widely scat tered over the state that have monthly | meetings for the purpose of considering | the same subjects. This conference movement has now extended into nearly every southern state
 The negro realizes that the white man and black man must work together-We | have grave problems yet to be settled. There has been forward movement in l the bringing about of more friendly rela- | tions between the two races in Alabama. | The best and most intelligent colored people have learned that they have more
 to gain by cultivating in a manly way,
 the friendship of the white man who is their next door neighbor, than by abus-
 ing him.. They have learned that they
 will be respected by the white man in l proportion as they possess intelligence, l property and virtue-in proportion as
 they are useful to a community.
 1 It is often stated that the state of | Alabama is not able to educate the ne- | gro. I could reversa this Statement. | would say that the state of Alabama is 1 not able to leave the 679,299 negroes in | ignorance. It will cost Alabama more | to not educate them than it will cost to | educate them. The charge is often made l that the negro does not pay his propor- | ton of taxes. Does ignorance produce more taxable values than intelligence | Are jails and courts and chain gangs | less costly than school houses? Many of the counties in Alabama have spent
 more within the last ten years in build- | ing jails than fin building school houses | Is an ignorant citizen worth more than | an Intelligent one? Will ignorance at tract more capital to the state than in | telHgence? These are questions which
 the negro asks the white people or Ala | bama to consider with him.
 | The last ten years have meant much | for Alabama's coIored citizenship. The next ten years will mean vastly more ii 1 each race will more and more calmly unselfshly and patiently consider the in | terest of the other in a generous Chris. | tian spirit. -
 BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. l Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Insti- | tute.