The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-08
Henry billiard, COlOred, Places
His Child i'm Harrison School.
Matter Is Reported to the
School Board.
TO ACT ON THE AFFAIR
Mrs. billiard of Spanish Descent
and Not Negro.
Does Not Want Her Boy in a
COlOred School.

regular monthly session IN the nlSu
school building Monday evening and
became involved in a discussion of the
color line. Indeed, the discussion reach
ed such an embarrassing point that one
Of the board members, shelved the sub
Ject temporarily by having the matter
referred to the committee on physical
disabilities
The case on which the discussion was
based, was brought up by Superintend-
ent William NJ Davidson, who said:
Mrs. billiard, wife of Henry billiard,
bailiff of the federal court, is here to-
night to see about her little boy who
was shut out of Harrison school on ac-
count of his color. They refused him
admission and they claim that under
the rules have no authority to re-
instate him. Now, the question comes
before you: How much cOlOred blood
is there in the veins of this little boy?
Mrs. billiard is a Spanish woman
no negro blood whatever. What colOred
blood the boy has he gets from his
father, Henry billiard, and that isn't
much. It is a matter for the board to
settle; whether the color line shall be
drawn in the schools
Edward Wilder-If this request was
granted would that make any trouble
in regard to other cases?
Supt. Davidson-It might.
Mrs. billiard spoke to the board as
follows: 1 would like to state why we
sent our little boy to Harrison school.
He is not strong This way his father
could take him to school every morn
ing. He is just past six years old.
don't want my child just among cOlOred
children. He has been reared altOgeth-
er different. At Harrison school he was
put up in front of the class and called
a little colOred boy by Mrs. Price, the
teacher. Gentlemen, I ask you to act
on this case"
President Priddy-Perhaps we shall
have to determine this question in re-
gard to the amount of cOlOred blood in
the boys veins. That would then re-
quire US to know the amount of cOlOred
blood in Mr.. billiards. veins.
Henry misunderstanding his head)
Gentlemen, that question is too deep
for me- came here to have this ques-
ton settled, not on the color line, but
according to justice. 1 don't want the
blood to figure.
On account of the child being frai1. it
was decided to refer the matter to the
committee on physical disabilities.
Superintendent Davidson was asked
to send a note to DR.. L NJ. Powell or
dering an examination of the child.
Should the committee see fit they will
Teinstate the boy in school. Henry Dill.
lard lives at lob Jackson street, and if
his boy is to be allowed to attend a
white school, it will be at Garfield
school; if otherwise decided he can then
attend Monroe school, which is for col
ored children exclusively.
STUDY OF MUSIC.
Superintendent Davidson reported to
the board that the study of music was
being taken up in the schools, and es-
pecially in the high school, where a
chorus has been organized and much
interest manifested. Regarding the high
school chorus Mr.. Davidson said: I'VE
called for those interested in music at
the high school, and 134 came. We ar
ranged with Prof Won Dahlen to train
the chorus, and we hope the board will
do something toward paying for the
training. L think a reasonable price
should be given him. The interest in
music is very encouraging
To this Edward Wilder said: Yes,
think this is a good thing I have
noticed in passing some of the school
buildings when the windows were up
that the children were in the habit of
singing through their noses. I think
this should be corrected, for the habit
is very noticeable in our schools The
training will be a good thing"
Supt. Davidson: Yes, they do sing
through their noses-that's true. They
need musical training"
Edward Wilder: Il have noticed it
many times, and I think it would be a
good thing to extend the training be-
yond the high school,
The matter was referred to the
teachers committee with Instructions
to report at the next meeting of the
board.
The salary pay rolls were allowed as
follows; Teachers, S7,520.4O. For sup
erintendent, clerk, stenographer and
the janitOrS, the salaries for the month
amounted to $1,042.50.
City Treasurer Q. S. ElliOtt's monthly
report of school board funds was as fol-
lows:
Month ending January 81, 1898:
Fiscal agency ..............S 900 e9
Deposits in banks ............. Sc, 532.1 IL
Total ............ .............s57,4 22. 70
GENERAL FUND.
Balance .......... .......-......$ 7,65O.02
Received from tuition ........ 369. 90
Received from rent ......-..... 1900
Received sale Liberty school =. 1900
Received bank interest 5000. 1882
Received county treasurer. so, 10000