Evening star., 1897-02-04
THE BOW EN- SCHOOL
South Washington Oitisens Protest Against
Its Proposed Removal.
Resolutions Adopted at a Meeting
Last Nfght-A Real Estate
Deal Is Charged.

A mass meeting was held in South Wash
irgton last evening in St. Paurs A. M. E.
Church, In response to a call by the South
Washington Citizens Association. A vigor-
Gus protest was made against the proposed
tearing down of the Anthony Bowen School
building, at the corner Of 9th and d streets
southwest, after the construction of new
building in the neighborhood of Sd and K
streets.
President George Newman of the South
Washington Citizens Association presided.
and those who occupied seats on the plat
form were Col Perry Carson, DIR. G. H.
Childs, DR.. L. Mircheaux, Rev. G. H.
Hunter, Mr.. r. H. Gunneil Mr.. p. H.
Brooks, DR.. L. Collins and Mr.. J. D. Jar
Wis. Mr.. Newman stated that the meeting
was not an indignation meeting. but was
simply meeting of protest. 1t was, he
said. proposed to transfer the Anthony
Bowen School to location farther down
toward the river, in malarial-infested
region. The Anthony Bowen School was
the only colored school in large area and
should not be moved.
Resolutions Adopted.
A committee to draft suitable resolutions
was appointed by the presiding officer, as
follows: Rev. w. H. Hunter, ]. F. N. Will
kinson, DR.. c. w. Childs, r. H. Beverly,
George Newman. Joseph Thompson. r. II.
Gunnell and ]. w. Butcher
The following were reported and unan-
imously adopted:
Whereas, the Anthony Bowen School
building was erected twenty-nine years
ago, and is now sadly in need of repairs;
and,
Whereas, Congress at its last session ap-
propriated S'00OO for the purchase of ''ad-
ditional ground and reconstructins An
thony Bowen School building and,
no 90 nf
representing the fourth division is now
agitating its removal without assigning
ally valid reason for such action; and.
Whereas, by act of Congress of the
United States, approved May y, 1852, that
10 per centum of the anoun: received from
taxes levied on the real and personal prop
erty in the cities of Washington and
Georgetown, in the District Of Columbia
propriated for the purpose of initiating a
system of primary schools for the educa-
ton of colored children residing in said
cities;" and,
Whereas, the Anthony Bowen School
building was erected out of this school
fund, as set aside by law; therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense CT this
meeting that the said Anthony Bowen
School building should not be used for
any othel than scnool purposes for the COL
ored children: therefore,
Be it resolved by the parents of children
attending Anthony Bowen School building,
nat we nereDy respectfully, Dut earnestly,
petition the honorable Comm ssIoners of the
District of Columbia to make the inn
provements to said building. in accordance
with the appropriation made by Congress
at its last session, AMI al early d day
as possible.
Resolved, That this petition be presented
to the honorable Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and such other action be
taken in furthcrance of our object as cir
cumstances may require.
Real Estate Deal Charged.
Mr.. Newman charged that the removal
of the school was part of real estate
deal, and for the purpose of enhancing
value of property when the colored school
was removed.
DR.. c. w. Childs spoke of the unhealth-
fulness of the section to which it was pro-
posed to move the school, and Rev. G. H.
Hunter. pastor of the church, said the
Anthony Bowen School was the first pub
lie school for colored people erected in the
District of Columbia, ard he did not want
to nave it demolished.
The following committee was appointed
to present the resolutions to the Comm:s-
sioners: Perry Carson, Robert Gunnell, Dr.
Childs, Rev. G. H. Hunter, George New
man, J. F. N. Wilkerson, r. H. Beverly
Joseph Thompson, J. w. Butcher, d. Jar
Wis. d. Murray, Joseph Manning, and Dr.
MircheauX.