The Washington bee., 1902-01-25

The Trustees of the John Hay Nor
NAL and Industrial School, Of Alexan-
dIla, Va met Wednesday night, Ian.
IS. 1902. in regular meeting. The
newly elected President, MagnuS L.
Robinson, presided. He said:
Gentlemen, we meet to consider All
important matter. Upon the thresh-
old o. nay entTanCe,ss President of the
John Hay Normal and Industrial
School, of Virginia. a scho j which was
named in 1894 in honor of Col. JOhn
Hay, friend and biographer of the
immortal Abraham Lincoln, now tile
Great Premier Of the United States, !
find il 10 be just developing into that
industrial sphere of action that the
COlored boy and girl who aims to be
useful and help make his or her race
a power in the make up of the indus
trial world The ohm Hay School,
founded and fostered IN this historic
city, the home of him who was, first in
war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts OF his Countrymen. the historic
Christ Episcopal Church, Washing
tons Church, numerous landmarks,
here and there, scattered throughout
the city Of Alexandra. recalling the
stirring scenes of the American Revo-
luton and the late Civil War, the one
fought for American independence,
and now the latter, reunlting the
whole country, is one of the grandest
cities on the continent, and fortunate
is our race to locate here an Industrial
School where colored boys and girls
can drink from the fountain of hisrori-
cal landmarks while they pursue their
industrial training.
The name of Col. John Hay will
ever be known in the history of this
school, and as IL develops, more and
more will his name be associated with
its expansion. | have been IN confer
enCe with friends who have aided the
school, and will remain its friends,
to give opportunity to honor the
memory OF one of the greatest Ameri
can PreSlden S, great IN statesman
ship, the AOnStle for a reunited COun-
try, magnificent IN his dying moments,
| ask you 10 rename the promising In
duStTIdl School as The William Nc
KinleY Industrial School, " of Alexan-
dria, Va.
In making this motion, | have the
approval of all concerned, and | know
whereof speak, that the honorable
gentleman for whom We named this
school TOR in 1894 will be gratiheJ in
the change OF name, for he was the
SteadiaSt friend OF President Mckinley
as he was the devoted admlrer of
President Lincoln. If my suggestion
Is approved, We will be rearing a
monument 10 the memory OF the great
Christian atesman, Wan. Mckinley,
that will outlasU stone or marble; and
it will be a practical monu nent, rear
ed TO the memory of great man, by
the Negro Race, assisted by white
Philanthroplsts.
Look at the location Of this school,
situated at the northern entrance of
all railway lines coming into AleXan-'
dria, which speeds the traveller ION
to Richmond" and the Southland.
For beauty of Geographical situation
10 is uneXCelled. Surrounding this
school, within a radius OF 20 miles
there is a negro population Of one
hundred thousand souls. Its future IS
bright to teach large per cent. OF the
boys and girls useful trades that may
enter its fold.
With your support and the help OF
the philanthtOpIC public we can deVel-
Op this Industrial SChOO. Ihat will be-
come a TuSkegee of Virginia.
would recommend that the Broom
and Cooking Departments be reopen
ed, as | see the way clear, and that
the present Nathan K. Cooper Memo
rial Room be changed to the large and
main auditorium, and a memorial pan
Ell be placed upon the platform.
Iwould further recommend that a
life size portrait of Hon. John Hay be
secured and placed on the wall Of the
public reception room.
lwould further recommend that the
e. Parsons Sewing Hall be return
ished, painted and the lawn enclosed
by new fence.
In conclusion, | move you to re
name this school in memory OF sold
Ter, statesman, parrot, Christian
President whose rule OF action was The
Golden Rule.
The Board of Trustees then, on
motion, which vas unanimously car
ried, adopted the title of their school
to be known frsm the present date
and hereafter as tine William Nc
Kinley Normal and Industrial School,
of Alexandria, Va.
A communication was read that the
Woman S Industrial Club would open
an Industrial Fair for the benefit Of