The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-08
IN APPEAL FOR
COLORED SCHOOLS
The Colorsd Methodist Conference.
Take Action
AGAINST SEPARATE SCHOOL TAX
amen, to tho Conservative Whites.
signed by a Committee aud tho
Bishop OF the Conference.
The Moral Eject.
- colored Methodist Conference.
AGAINST SEPARATE SCHOOL |. TAX Z

s.J,;,or;i oncat O. Inc aAtsIs'
at the STATE according to the amount OF
Taxes yaid by cac., OF the races. SO that
.,,,e lakes paid ny the negroes only would
de used for public schools.
r w. aIally editor of the Portsmouth
Weekly Bulletin, addressed the annual
Conference of the African Methodist Epis-l
s,,pal Zion Church IN Petersburg last
week.
f9yNNuDENCE IN THE WHITES
lie said that he had implicit confidence
in the conservative white people of Vir-
sginia, and believed that il their aid was
sought in the proper manner. they would
unite their efforts in opposition TO the
measure. He then asked the conference
10 issie an appeal TO them in the interest
) of the thousands of colored children who
must. If educated at all, receive: II in the
public schools His suggestion was
adopted, and Bishop A Walters appointed
committee TO draft an appeal TO Inc
Conservative White Men Of Virginia.
AIN APPEAL.
The appeal is as follows:
In view of the Forthcoming Constitution
al Convention, to which will be submitted
several propositions to be encouched in the
new organic law, important among which
are the restriction Of the suffrage and the
division of the public school funds, we,
the members OF the Virginia Annual Con-
ference OF the A. NJ. E. Zion Church, now IN
session in the city of Petersburg, Va, De-
cemf,er list, 1900. holding in grateful re-
membrane the great philanthropic spirit
of the South. and especially of our native
Stale. in fostering the educational interests
of the past whereby we are enabled 10
make respectful showing to the world,
ne gratefully point with peculiar pride to
the magnificent support given TO the
Hampton. Virginia. Normal S1aool. ana
the Virginia Normal and Collegiate 1nstt-
fute and the maintenance OF the best sEs-E
TEN Of public schools in all of the South
land; and in grateful remembrance OF me
Very kind relations heretofore existing be-
tween the fathers of both races, and we,
the negro sons, wishing not only TO con-
1inue but to strengthen those relations
that the common good of all her children
may be enhanced to the lasting beneflt OF
our country and humanity, do make the
following appeal to the conservative ele-
nent of our white brethren IN the Conn
monwealth of Virginia, State ever memo
7abie in the annals Of statecraft and ever
ready and willing to uplift humanity
We desire to beseech your active and
wholesome influence and moral support in
the interest Of simple justice to all of the
citizens Irrespective of race or color, OF
the great Commonwealth.
F:rst-Ne respectfully beg to assure you
that we are one in sentiment as to re-
st.iction of The educational qualification
operation equally To all races concerned,
but we are unuttsrably opposed TO the
notorious Grandfather Clause. which
operates to the detriment of our race only
. That in view of the agitation to
separate the school funds 50 that Inc
school taxes paid by the white people shali
be applied solely 10 the education OF the
white children and the school funds paid
by the blacks to the education of the col
ored children, we do earnestly beseech
you further TO use your potent influence III
prohibiting such a provision being en-
bodied in the organic law OF TINS Com
monwealth.
The State will suffer direful results in
consequence OF such legislation, because
ignorance is the parent of poverty, vice,
and crime. If the proposed measure be-
comes d part of the organic law, the death
1llcIl of public education for negro schools
Will be sounded. We Pause TO ask nov
can noble Virginia. proud of her past and
hopeful of her future, take such suic dial
step, frausht with such deplorable conse-
Guences. We beg You not TO forget that
our ancestors rendered of their Drawn and
muscle two hundred and fifty Years OF
labor without reward or the hope of re-
ward. The South in her magnanimous
hours has been giving liberal and generous
appropriations for the education of our
helpless and ignorant children who are
dependent upon The States generosity.
We. who in the hour of peril. when the
bravery and c!fivaAry OF the South were
railiantly lighting to keep us in slavery,
remained at home. titled your soil, fed
your gallant seldiery. and protected your
axomanhoood. row besaech you TO continue
Your support TO our educate interests.
We commend the stand taken by The
Richmond Times, Tie Norfolk Public Led
ger. The. Petersburg Index and Appeal
and other newspapers in the State. They
show that the negro pays a very large
per cent. of the tax by rentals and other
wise for which the negro gets. no credit
Then in the name of tie thousands Of
negro children, CRYING to you for light
and life. who, some day, will become part
of the body polite, we make this appeal.
feeling your exalted sense Of right and
justice will autuate you to avert the me-
mace which threatens to retard the ma
-sai advancement of the State
B. T. PARSONS,
J. w M'DONALD.
MRS. Z. II. BADHAAl,
r. H. RIDDICK,
j. w HOLLY
Committee.
A WALTERS. D. D..
Presiding Bishop.
Dec. LIST, 1900.