The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-22
NEGRO EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH.

The recent action of several Southern
States in attempting to disfranchise ne
groes by means Of an educational qualif-
cation suggests an inquiry as to what is
being done by and for the negroes in an
educational way. Are they growing in IL
literacy fast as they are in numbers?
Are they doing their duty in the way of
educating their race and are the whites
doing their whole duty in the premises?
Are the descendants Of the voters who are
now disfranchised by an educational quail
hcation specially framed for the purpose
likely to fall under the same ban? In
short, is the race problem likely to be
measurably solved by education, or is negro
illiteracy, through the lack of efforts to
counterfeit it, likely to become an ever
increasing menace? These questions are as
important any now confronting the
American people. A recent publication by
the Atlanta University presents some facts
bearing on the subject. This institution,
by the way. is itself an interesting illus
tration of what the colored people in the
South are doing for themselves in an edu-
cational way. An institution for higher
learning, established and supported mainly
by the efforts of colored people, it has sent
out 4l2 graduates from college and normal
courses, nearly all Of whom, together with
hundreds of past undergraduates, are now
engaged in teaching and other useful work
In Georgia and other States A feature Of
the university work has been graduate
study of different phases Of the negro prob
lie / in the South. This investigation has
been prosecuted steadily and systematically
for several years. The results of each an
nual investigation first reported in May
Of each year TO a conference which as
sembles at the university. The attendance
at these conferences is mainly Of colored
people. although Southern whites are al
ways on the programme and visitors from
abroad are usually present. The result
of the years investigation and the pro-
ceedings of the conference are printed in
pamphlet form. The proceedings Of the
sixth annual conference relative to negro
common schools show that an interesting
social study is being prosecuted in a way
results.
The spirit in which the work is being done
may be inferred from the following state
ment by tho management OF the univer-
sity:
Studies OF this kind do not naturally ap-
peal 10 the general public but rather to the
interested few and 10 students. Neverthe-
less there ought to be growing in this land
a general conviction that a careful study
or the condition and needs OF the negro
population-a study conducted with scien-
tihc calm and accuracy, and removed so
far as possible from prejudice or partisan
bias-that such study is necessary and
worthy OF liberal support The twelfth
predictions or the dying out OF the negro in
any reasonably near future. The 5000. OOO
negroes here in the land. increasing steadily
1T the rate or over 10000 year, are des-
tined 10 be part and parcel OF the Nation
for many a day If not forever. We must
no longer guess at their conditiOn-we
must know II. We must not experiment
blindly and wildly. trusting TO our pro-
verbal good luck but like rational. civ
ilized. philanthropic men. spend time and
money in finding what can be done before
we attempt TO DO II. Americans must learn
that IN social reform as well as other
rational endesvors wish and prejudice must
be sternly guided by knowledge, else il is
bound 10 blunder If not 10 fail.
The report OF the last conference shows
that the exclusively negro common schools
OF the country are making gratifying prog
ress and that the negroes are contributing
/ their full share 10 their support. In 1850
/ fifteen years after the close Of the civil
war. the total number OF negro children
enrolled In the public schools of the South
was ISL. 709 in 1900 there were over .5oO. coo
/ A careful analysis OF the cost and sources
OF support OF negro public schools shows
! that in the seven States OF Delaware. Ar