The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-06

sent quite a. pleasing picture 20 the friends
of education. The writer OF this article
is situated near the line OF North '-aiolha
and knows something OF the schools OF
the rural district of that State, and am
sure q comparison would be favorable TO
US.
It IS but fair to say that the trustees OF
the GAINESVILLE school district are educat-
cd. Christian gentlemen, who have done
much in the past to promote the efficiency
of the school, and are still directing all
efforts in this direction. We believe that
honor should he given to whom honor is
due The log houses and low-pitched.
poorly-lighted frame structures are Things
Of the past in this district. The school
houses are all neatly and newly CONSTRUCT
ed buildings of convenient Sizes. ranging
from l4x30 to 2ix6O, IL feet pitch, we'll heat
ed and lighted.
Tho school-house In which the writer
teaches is 24x5o, Effect pitch, with eight
large windows SKI with lattice blinds.
built a few years ago at cost OF Soo
for the educatio of colored children. Inis
building is nicely painted. as we'll as many
others of the district.
might say that these buildings are
furnished by the district with suitaois
5deshs tables, chairs, brooms. buckets.
AZ II,
mans, and globes to some extent. anu
hooks for very INDECENT pupils. sa
that the rural district schools are ~
miserable condition as the result y.
poorly qualified teachers IS not Piaus
bla when the character OF the seilou,s
is known that supplies the .s eo,orcn
teachers I suppose it IS the coiose
schools which are to be mostly pitied: IL
60 allow us to say that many o. una
cojored teachers are graduates o, Tue
v;rrinia. Normal and Collegiate INST
tute. which has reputation OIL senu .n5
ont qualified teachers. Inc iAainp
Normal and Agricultural !ns.i.ue1 .
r,on,1 hundreds of its graduates teach
IN, in the schools OF this state Wuo
n-ere trained by teachers educated AZ the
test schools of the North. This couney
~. Thvne institute, at Chase city. anu
Boydton Institute, at Boydson, nosn ~
which have an excellent corpS
best trained northern teacnsls &C. -,
Young men and women for tsacne.s IN
this and other counties OF the STATE.
There are seven colored schools Win
o1a,-on teachers and nine white scnools
with ten teachers in this district MOST
of these hold first grade cerei'ica.es.
meritoriously won by taking the UNIFORM
examination Of the State.
are highly respected citizens and are
doing a noble work for the stare. nos
alone in the school-roorn. but out or the
school-room. by setting examples OF
honesty, industry, and economy
It has been asserted by some that tine
negroes do not apr aciate wat TIL, stata
is doing for their e1d:ali'a. Ihf az
sertion is too absurd for comment. No
unbiased person would dare make such
an assertion, for the statenent Is wholly
without foundation.
Most OF the negro schools are over
run by children eager to learn, and the
rapid progress made by them in &C
curing information is indeed sratffy-
ing. They not only show their snrre-
citation by their attendance, br- tEey
are showing it by frightening their
school terms. and in many cases giving
for the establishment OF grad d schools
for the education of their race. he
raised at it's last sitting $500 for educa-
ton.
The question often asked is. Does It
pay to educate the negro? This enes-
ton will be answered oy all unbiased
persons in the affirmative.
The writer of this article has taught IN
the public: school at this place for twenty
two years and has possibly taught IN all
1,0M children. and knows the history OF
most of them, and can say that i do not
know a single boy or girl taught by me-
who has ever been sent to jail or peni-7
tentarys or charged with that crime which
too often shock whole communities. The
recitation of some classes in the schools
OF this county would be a credit to any
teacher or school in any State if any
one doubts the truthfulness OF the above
he has but to leave the cities and VISIT
the schools OF the rural district. After
going through few of those sot many
sections of this State he will return, de-
ella ring that the public schools Is tho
power that is lifting the negro race. as
we'll as other races. from crime and idle
ness to frugal and Industrious citizens.
The state has no class OF citizens that
she should be prouder OF than the great
army of teachers. The safety and peace
of this State depends mora upon them
than it does upon its militia. We rejoice
in the fact that a greater interest is being
manifested by all classes In public educa-t
ton. We pray God to raise up funds
for the cause and strengthen the things
which remain.
Teacher in Coiored School No. 10.
CIarksvilie School District
Ayeretk Va, March 81, 1902
A Teachers Explanation.
Editor of The Times:
Sir.-The article in your issue OF last
Sunday should not have been headed "a
Teachers Complaint. = but ..4An Exptanar
ton OF the financial Condition OF tie
Public School Teachers Throughout the
State.
TEACHER
Richmond. 80. Ayril sth.