Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-06
MASS MEETING ARRANGED
Colored Citizens to Protest Against School
Trustee Selections
Various views Expressed on the Pend
ing ContrSverN From sympa-
thi1es WITH Both Sides.

holding of coloredemass meeting Monday
evening next at the Vermont Avenue Bap-
tist Church for the purpose of protesting
against the appointment of Rev. Sterling
NJ. Brown and George H Richardson as
members of the board Of school trustees.
1t is stated by the promoters of the gather
ing that some of the most prominent col
ored men of the. District will make ad-
dresses on the subject. The colored min
listers will also consider the subject on
the same day. The interest in the contro-
versy that has arisen over the appointments
does not show any sign of abatement. and
both sides to it are discussing the matter
with unmlstakable warmth.
A Puzzle Needing Wizard.
One of the observers of the present agi-
tation was cor siderably puzzled this after
noon when he met Star reporter.
There is one phase of the present trus-
tee school fight" he said. that bothers my
poor brain nightly, and I would be happy
If I could have it explained. 1t Is this:
Dr. Sha6d, against whom there seems to
have been no charges made, was replaced
by the Rev. Mr.. Brown on the sole ground
that DR.. Shadd, while representing the
county, no longer lived in the county, be-
cause he moved into the city some years
ago. Now, if it is true that DR.. Shade
cannot represent the county because ne
lives in the city, how is it that Mrs Ter
rell who lives in the county. continues to
represent district of the city? l tell you
when you come to look at all these various
questions tina. have arisen over this schooi
trustee fuss and try to figure out sensible
conclusion on it you will find that the 10
14-13 puzzle is an easy thing TO soiVe III
comparison"
The Position of the Majority.
Another well-known colored man, who
did not care to have his personality thrown
into the present controversy, said:
Il believe the colored people, after years
OF silence, during which they have seen
their schools slowly but surely placed in
the hands of certain selfish individuals,
are determined now to take earnest meas
ures to stamp out the evil which Is men
acng the very life of their schools. 40
not think that there is very much division
among the colored people whan it comes TO
a protest against the appointment. cf Mr..
Brown and Mr.. Richardson. A very great
majority of the respectable population of
the District will be found against their Sc
lection"
Trustee Richardson's Record.
Mr.. George w. Jackson, 1923 Linden
place northeast, had the following TO say
on the subject:
1T is to be hoped the public may not be
misled as to the influences which We're
brought to bear upon Commissioner Ross,
inducing him to appoint DR.. Geo. II. Rich
ardson trustee of our public schools. rhe
scholarly attachments of the doctor are so
well known aInongiiall classes of colored
people, both inths city and throughout the
country, that lie seems a waste of time and
space to recount them. He was born and
educated in Cleveland. Since residing here
he has takenIa scientific course at How
ard University and is also graduate of
both the law and medical departments. He
has always been an indefatigable student
and writer, having contributed many able
scientific. and educational
jects to the Bethel Literary and Historical
Association, as well as to several other
well-known literaryI societies.
His breadth and depth of thought" con-
tinued Mr.. JACKSON "chaste and forcible
style and versatility are confessed, and he
was publicly referred to by the late Fred
Douglass as the philosopher of his race
This in itself Is Sufficient to stamp the
doctor as an able and efficient man. He
entered the government service at low
grade and advanced step by step until he
became a clerk of class 3. In his rela-
tons with his friends and associates he
has always manifested courteous and
kind disposition, and has their respect and
esteem. In addition to the large number
of letters, petitions and interviews pre-
scented to the Commissioners urging DIR.
Richardson's appointment as trustee every
clerk in his division joined in letter testi-
flying to his capacity, sobriety and entire
fitness to fill the position.
1T is unnecessary to refer to the mean
ness of the charges recently preferred
against him. for his exoneration was COM
plete, and he now enjoys the confidence of
his .supefiors, whom he has always served
with marked ability and credit.
The appointment of DIR. Richardson"
said Mr.. Jackson, in conclusion lis a
fitting expression of the deep interest Com
missioner Ross has taken in the conduct
of our public schools, and evidence that
he is not only satisfied of the moral fitness
of the doctor, but also that he possesses
every qualification necessary to meet the
requirements of a trustee
Rev. VIM. A Credit said today that a
mistake was made in the statement that
he. had called upon the Commissioners in
regard to the new school trustees. II Tn
derstood that a number of gentlemen were
arranging TO call upon the Commissioners
but whether they carried out their purpose
Dr. Credit does not know. The doctor
also said that although tine Baptist clergy
men expressed their views at the Monday
meeting. yet they had not decided on any
plan of action. -7,. ...
THE HIGHWAY CASE.