The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-16
MANS BEST
POSSESSIONS.
Are Integrity and Industry,
Says the President,
In an Address Before the In
dustrial Institute,
AT TUSKEGEE, ALA.
The School Founded by Booker
T. Washington.
Their POssessOrs Do Not Get
on the Chain Gang.

TuSkegee, Ala, Dec. 16.-The preSt-
Dental party arrived here at o'clock
this morning and was met by the
mayor and town council. The trip from
Atlanta was without incident. The
party entered carriages and was driven
to Booker II. Washington's school where
the president spoke as follows:
Teachers and Pupils of Tuskegee:
ITO meet you under such pleasant
auspices and to have the opportunity
of a personal observation Of your work
is indeed most gratifying The Tuske-
gee normal and industrial institute is
ideal in conception, and has already
large and growing reputation in the
country and is not unknown abroad. 1
congratulate all who are connected with
this undertaking for the good work
which it is doing in the education of
its students to lead lives of honor and
usefulness, thus exalting the race for
which it was established.
Nowhere, think, could a more de-
3ightful location have been chosen for
this unique educational experiment
Which has attracted the attention and
won the support even of conservative
philanthropists in all sections of the
country.
ITO speak of Tuskegee without paying
special tribute to Booker T. Washing
tons genius and perseverance would be
impossible. The inception of this noble
enterprise was his, and he deserves
It.
iasm and enterprise which made its
steady progress possible and establish
ed in the institution it's present high
standard of accomplishment. He has
won worthy reputation as one of the
great leaders of his race, widely known
and much respected at home and abroad
as an accomplished educator a good
orator and a true philanthrOpiSt. What
steady and gratifying advancement has
been made here during the past fifteen
years a personal inspection of the ma
terial equipment strtkingly proves. The
fundamental plan of the original under
taking has been steadily followed; but
new features have been added, gaps in
the course of instruction have been
filled in, the patronage and resources
have been largely increased until even
the legislative department of the state
of Alabama and finally the congress of
the United States recognized the worth
of the work and Of the great opportuni-
ties here afforded.
From one small frame house the in
Stitute has grown until it includes the
fine group of dormitories, recitation
rooms, lecture halls and workshops
which have so surprised and delighted
US today. Thousands of students, I am
told, are here cared for by nearly a
hundred teachers, altogether forming
with the preparatory department a
symmetrical scholastic community which
has been well called a model for the
cOlOred schools of the south. Certain
it is that a pupil bent on fitting himself
have the widest choice of useful and
domestic occupations.
"One thing I like about this institu-
ton is that its policy has been eyener-
Gus and progressive; it is not so self
centered or interested in it's own pur-
suits and ambitions as to ignore what
is going on in the rest Of the country
or make it difficult for outsiders to
share the local advantages.
Il allude especially to the spirit in
which the annual conferences have beer
here held by leading coIored citizens
and educators, with the intention of i'm
proving the condition of their less fort
innate brothers and sisters. Here we
can see is an immense field and one
which cannot too soon or too carefully
be utilized. The conferences have grown
in popularity and are we'll calculated
not only to encourage colored men and
colored women in their individual eff
forts, but to cultivate and promote an
amicable relationship between the two
races-a. problem whise solution was
never more needed than at the present
time. Patience, moderation, self control,
knowledge, character will surely win
your victories and realize the best as
pirations of your people. An evidence
of the SoundnesS of the purpose of this
institution is that those in charge of it's
management evidently do not believe in
attempting the unattainable, and their
instruction in self-reliance and practi-
cally industry is most valua BILE.
I'm the day and night schools many
branches can be taught at small ex-
pense which will give the man and the