New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-27
COLORED POPULATION OF NETWORK.
IT is INCREASING MORE RAPIDLY THAN THE
wHITE-RUMoR THAT RACE LINE MAY
BE DRAWN IN SOME MANHAT-
TAN SCHOOLS.

In order TO learn how far the recent exclusion OF
q coored boy from Jamaica school under pro-
vision OF the common school law OF 1864 might be
applied as precedent to the exclusion or colored
children from other schools OF the enlarged city
attended by white children, a Tribune reporter
made some inquiry yesterday.
Henry r. NJ Cook auditor OF the Board of Educa
ton, said: 1.-THE Board OF Education has the right,
inherent IN It's corporate powers and fortified by
several sections Of the city charter, TO direct the
attendance OF pupils throughout the different
wards. In a word. this body determine what
school a child shall attend. Whatever may be the
technicaties Of the law. the courts thus far have
sustained this authority Of the school boards. In
1898 the King vs. Gallagher was decided In
favor OF the Brooklyn Board. The recent decision
of Justice Smith in favor of the School Board
of Queens Borough The whole question, therefore,
lies with these officers II they fit 10 establish
separate schools for Jews, or Slavs. or Italians.
they have legal power to do So, provided these
schools are supplied with equal educational facili.
ties | do not think however. that the open door
policy now maintained will be at all narrowed by
the Jamaica case. The Board of Education will
try TO regulate all such matters In accordance with
the best interests of the community.
It is rumored, nevertheless that stricter me
may be drawn In districts because OF the
constant and more than proportionate increase In
the negro population of those quarters In 1880. ac-
the CITY OF New-York 2564 colored people In a total
population of 55,3Ol. This was one colored man
to about ffty-nine whites. Judging from the death
rates OF whites and blacks for the years 1880 and
iSgS il is estimated that there are now In Manhat-
tan and The Bronx about forty thousand colored
persons In total population OF 2ll7.l&-one colored
person TO ifty-two whites In the Borough of Brook
iyn the ratio which In 1890 one to eighty, has
Increased 10 TO seventy. In the Borough OF
Queens the proportion Of negroes has always been
much greater than elsewhere, and It is now esti-
mated as high as to forty. II Is in that bor-
ough that the color line has Just been drawn In
speaking of this increase DIR. Roger s. Tracy. re-
corder Of the Health Department. said that at
present there was q large immigration OF Southern
negroes. . -, ,., .o,. >. .o ,,,
This is noticeable in the death records ne CON
tinued "A great number come from virginia
many Of whom are house servants, or representing
for the most part the better classes OF the Southern
negro or course down along the wharyes one may
and the stunted low proved type. which is seen at
work in the fields of Georgia and Alabama. The
districts of Manhattan that appear to have the
most attraction for them are the ElShth ward
hounded bv Houston-st. Broadway. Grand-st and
the North River also the districts around
Ninotieth-s st and Third-ave. and Thirty-frst-st
and sixth-ave They find employment as launder-
ora house servants. porters, janitors, truckmen
ciarks barbers and cigarmakers A large number
each wear are going into the public schools and
entering the professions. Each year also sees
fewer engaged In unskilled labor. which Is being
performed instead by Immigrants from southern
| and Eastern Europe