The state herald., 1898-12-30
WORK OF TUsKEGEE.
A VERY IMPORTANT lNsTlTU-
TiON.
Booker t. washinston's school Teaches
Color~d People How to Think, Work
and Live.

President Mckinley, in his recent
visit to the south. stopped for a day
at Tuskegee, Alabama, in order to
visit the university established and
carried on by Booker 4. Washington.
The President addressed the pupils
from the platform of a beautiful chap
cl recently cOmpleted-One of the lar
gest and handsomest churches In the
south, the plans and specifications for
which We're by an architect In the
school. Every brick was made and
laid by the students. Every inch of
woodwork came from their sawmill
and carpenter shop. the heating and
electric light plant were made In the
machine shop. The only materials en-
tering into the construction that had
to he purchased outside were the glass
and hardware, and parts Of the latter
were forged at the blacksmith shop.
No more inspiring audience ever faced
speaker. There are seats for $500
persons. Perhaps 1000 more crowded
In, occupying temporary galleries that
were erected for the occasion. the plat
form and the aisles The most of them
were negroes. including 1000 students
on one side of the auditorium.
In that presence in his most earnest
and serious way, the President of the
United States expressed his approval
of what he called n unique expert
ment." conceived and carried out by
Booker I. Washington. and his gratlti-
cation ut the great success which his
genius and perseverance had won.
Then he gave the students some good
advice which might well he inscribed
upon the lintels of every educational
institution. telling them that Integrity
and Industry are the best possessions
which any man can have. and every
man can have them" That sentence
describes what Mr.. Washington is try
ing 10 impress upon his race.
Governor Johnson. in introducing the
President. gushcd over the institution
and with an air of patronage and pro-
prietorship expressed his qualification
and pride In its success. which pro
Noked Il pertinent retort from Presi-
dent Mckinley. who hoped the govern
or would persuade the Legislature to
increase the appropriation for its ben
efit. To understand the Significance of
this repartee. 1t must be known that
the state of Alshama contributes only
$1,000 of the 100000 which 1t costs to
maintain the institution. Ten thousand
dollars comes from the Slater and Pea
body educational funds: the remain
ing SSI,5DO is furnished by friends of
Mr Washington In the northern states
and upon his personal solicitation. The
institution WAS started seventeen years
ago. with one teacher and thirty pu-
pills. in u rented shanty church. Ac-
cording to the last report of the prin.
cipal the attendance last year was
1,oiI students-Ii2 boys and 33J girls.
These students came from twenty-four
states and territories. Nearly the same
number are in attendance at this time,
representing The same number Of states
ana territories and besides Cuba. Porto
Rico. lamaica, England and Africa.
Nearly all of the students board and
sleep on the school grounds.
Counting teachers and students there
Is upon the school grounds a popuIa.
tion Of loo persons. The Industrial
training Is given In twenty-slN differ,
cnt divisions In connection with the
academic and religious training. Three
hundred and slNty-ninc students have
received diplomas and certificates in
the academic. Industrial and Bible
schools. The graduates are seeking to
do n work similar To that OF TuskcgeC
In twenty-five Of the states OF the
Union.
The Tuskegce method is to allow
students TO acquire n knowledge OF
their several trades while working on
the buildings and the farm. With their
work they pay their board and get
their education ~ the same time. This
Is especially hopeful to those who find
themselves unable to pay any part of
their tuition. In constructing any
building. ms In the Instance OF the
chapel, money given for that purpose
provides the material and enables the
students To learn plasterlng. brick ma
sonry, brickmaking, painting, etc, and
attend school at the sime time. The
ordinary charge FOR board, room. tut
ilon and all the privileges is IS II
month.