The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-11
REPLY TO HENRY DILLARD
Mr.. Roundtree, Principal of Monroe
School, Defends His Charge.
40 theEditor of the STATE journal:

ScnOOl, Oe1enQS his Cnarg6s
To theEditor of the State Journal:
In published interview by Mr. Hen
ry billiard in Wednesday evenings pa
per, headed school Too Dirty unjust
criticism and aspersions were cast on
thecolored schools in general and on the
pupils, parents and teachers of Monroe
school in particular
He says that he took his boy over to
the school of which I am principal, and
was Mortified at the condition of the
children that attend it; and that he ask
ed the teacher why do you allow the
children to come to school in such a
condition." and that the teacher re-
piled that he had sent some home, but
the only result secured was to have
their parents and friends after him.
In reply to these slanderous state
ments as principal of the school and
the only male teacher in the building,
wish to say emphaticaIly that neither
Mr. billiard, nor any one for him, has
applied for admission of his boy to this
school. They have not even put in an
appearance at this school, much less to
be Mortified at the condition of the pu-
pills He must think that our olfactOry
nerves are very poorly developed to
stand such flthiness, as he says, ex-
lists.
Furthermore, this school has been Wis
tied in the last few weeks by the super
intendent and several members of the
board of education, and I have, yet to
see anyone hold his nose or run with
terror because Of the degradation of
the children.
school house, it has been more recently
built than any school in the city with
the exception of the high school, and
has been kept well by a good janitor-
The floors and Railways are clean and
the rooms used have bright, new pa
pered walls, SO that both the exterior
and interior present as nice condition
as any school house in the city.
5c50 d11fxy p tn
the children in lessons of physiology
and hygiene as outlined in our course
of study, and state with emphasis that
this part is faithfully done, and yet
have never heard of any persons indig-
nation being aroused because of such
instruction in habits of cleanliness and
neatness.
But, so far as know, they have been
appreciated and commended by the
people.
Let us see who are some of the pupils
of this school.
Among them we have the children of
Mr.. EaglesOn, messenger to Governor
Leedy; Sanitary Policeman Hardy, Mr..
Ferguson, a director of the Military
band, of which Mr.. billiard is MEM
Der and many other respectable and
lava biding citizens, poor, but honest
and industrious, who are striving to
educate their children from their hard
earned means.
There is a crude and vague notion
about the schools of Topeka among a
certain class of people. The school
system is a unity. The cOlOred and
white teachers must meet the same re
quirements and attain the same stand
ard of efficiency. They instruct from
the same course of study and the
standard of promotion of pupils is the
same for all; and if I were not a teach
er I would be so presumptuous as to
say that many of the colored are ex-
celIent teachers.
Friendly as we have been, do not
understand why I was quoted in a re
ported interview never held. AS to the
merits of Mr.. billiards. case, 1 have
nothing to say. 1t lies with the school
board. 1t is my duty to teach such pu-
nils as are entitled to admission under
the rules. 1 have nothing to say, as a
teacher. about a certain class of people
that. because of mixed blood, is try
ing to escape from the race. l have
nothing to say about those people VINO
hold public position by reason OF the
colored people while decrying and be-
Iittling their efforts for higher devel-
opment and a better citizenship But
do most earnestly protest against the
aspersions cast on me and the school
bv such an article.
FRED ROUNDTREE,
PrinciDal.