The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-02-19
THE PRAIRIE VIEW SCHOOL.
A Strong Endorsement OF the School and
lberality OF Texas Praised.

i - OuonD ENDORSEMENT OF inc OCnOOl ana
libcraiity OF Texas Praised.
| To the Editor of The Post.
| Philadelphia, Pa, February ia care.
full perusaI of the last report Of the Prairie
| View State normal school furnishes food
| for pleasant reflection, for In II are found,
not only evidences of the munncence In
which Texas has long been an example to
her sister States, but the fruit of that
munihcenee AS well.
No one can contemplate the far cry FROM
the Prairie View OF twenty years ago, when
The very question OF continued existence
was debnted, aud the magnificent institu-
ton of today, Droad In curriculum thor-
! ough III Instruction, and expanding iuto an
eNer-Wldening usefulness, without seeing In
ms growth the fostering care of broad
htAt"smanship In the state government
| ron without, ana faithful, firm and ef-
ncient administration ON the part of prin-
opal ana faculty within t.--
IL Is source OF no small qualification
10 me, a native Texan, that IN these days
81 not discussion az To the relative merits
Of Industrial and higher education, Texas
has had the wisdom 10 relegate the the
oretical phases 10 the limbo OF academic
debate, while going on ~ proper con-
clision by Wholesome combination OF both
kinds, The result Is that there are, as n
class, no better equipped teachers nor man
Her advocates OF skilled Industry than ara
10 DO found In that State at this moment.
lrair1e View was begun us an agricultural
school, but did not show signs OF stability
IN that idea was modified by making Il
primarily normal school. This was it's
distinctive feature until the agricultural
nnd Industrial features again became IN
creasingly Important. All OF these depart
ments Of training have come into full
hover and are working IN well balanced
proportion. Magnificent buildings. sub
stantinl and adapted 10 specific uses, have
been erected, land brought into cntlya-
ton. shops for wood and iron work heller
equipped, steam laundry put In, new Indus
tries for the girls begun; ami at the salae
Tine the textual curriculum brondaned to
meet tue demands Of the wiser times upon
ue.
That IL board OF directors, the governor
aud the legislature should have seen with
SUCH clear eye, e0mprehended with such
profound view and dispensed WITH such
liberal hand as 20 provide an Institution
for their eolored youth superior In appoint
In the whole South, is no surprise 10 those
who know the history Of Texas la Its proc
visions for the education Of Its ctizens.a
but It Is 10 striking contrast with the
narrow and suicidal policy of e0Ine Of It's
sister Commonwealth which seem not yet
TO have learned that education Is not pri.
Yaie bepeht 80 much as 4 public protec-
tiOn. fatl
was one OF those who fayofed Branch
State university apart from Prairie View;
ont II Is clear that the other opinion has
gathered such strength and Is held by 50
many given 10 wise judgment, that IL be-
moves all who feel that the need for
broader training at home Is fnily ripe and
of immediate pressure 10 acquiesee IA The
bill NOW before the legislature and MSS =
every effort to secure Its passage There
IL economy In II, too.
III the legislature Will give us the new
Agricultural aud mechanical building 80
much needed and equip II for use, the
school VIII have passed, for many years,
the days OF crowded imperfect housing OF
It's departmental work and start ON an era
n growth and Importance such as will
make even It's present magnificent showing,
which lies before me. pale into sinalinass.
II is the pride of Texans N other STATES
mud the conundrum OF the citizens Of those
States, that Its half million negroes and
two and half million white people have
learned 10 love, respect and defend each
other and 10 cooperate In matters OF pub
Ne enterprises. while suspicion and discpn-
tent divide less fortunate sections. be-
ieye the explanation Hes In the generosity
u our great State's provision for securing
public Intelligence without DISCRIMINATION
among an its citizens rs well as 10 the
Dottolnlcss fertility OF It's lands and the
iegls OF protection thrown before its home
teads | may also htiy say that the
rlendship and potent Influence OF The Post
owards PraIrie View and our publlp
schools has had great deal to do with
he happiness Of the colored people In
rcxas aud with the confidence they repos0
n the desire Of rhe powers that be to do
hem eyen-hanffed justice, II. 4. kealpG.
ed. A. ~. Il keytewl