The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-09
NEGRO TEACHERS MEET
STATE ASSOCIATION AT oLL
 SHIP CHURCH.
VI. H. Council nid Net Arrive Last Night, 1ut Several Others spoke-Washington Nay
 Come Today.

At g o'clock last night at the Clinton Chapel, or Old Ship Church. corner Hol- cembs and Mildred Streets, the twenty State Teachers Association. a negro or ganiSation. was called to order M. J. Moore of the State Normal School of Montgomery. presided. The opening of the convention was de- layed over an hour, awaiting the arrival of w. H. Councill of the Normal School at Huntsville, who was expected to de- liver an address before the meeting. But Councili did not come. It was said that ne is expected today.
 The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Rogers. Presiding Elder of the Montgomery District of the Methodist A chorus was rendered by about forty students of the State Normal School which was followed by an address of welcome in behalf of the negro citizens of Montsomery by s. s. H. Washington. a pr: Washington began his remarks with tribute to the negro race, and said that regardiess of the existing political status n . Alabama and in the United States. individuals of character. He said that the negro's scope of life and work is be- coming more varied and to a greater de- spmna, spee oi ,aasptaoiiity as he Is educated to complishins greater means and growing to greater magnitude of power as 1t Is educated to these responsibilities.
 You have done much in the uplifting or an unfortunate race said Dr. Wash fngton, addressing the teachers. 2 In conclusion, he said that no heartier welcome could be given any organization man that extended to the association by pr. Washfngton's address was followed by an instrumental solo by Lucretia Rogers. after which W. W. Philips. Montgomery teacher, delivered a welcome QddBaaa n ioti i,, h1t.~ 1R the teachers of the city,
 Professor Philips said the outside teach- CTS were welcome to Montgomery because they represented all that is morally best Continuing. he said that serious prob. lems confronted the race, and tho whole
 American people, and that these prob. lems were yexins because of the diver sity Of opinion relative to them. "As to the different forms and methods Of education, the people of our race widely disagree" said Professor Philips, but
 there is a conformity of opinion that there kind" ~ " '''" '' 'o'''e
 In behalf of the negro churches and ministers of Montgomery. Rev. W. B. Johnson welcomed the association.
 work of the profession he represented and that of education, which, he said. was similar. He repinded the teachers that their scope of work was not confined to The wife of M. M. Hightower rendered vocal solo which was applauded. She was followed by c. w. Scott of Pratt City who responded to the address or welcome. He said that the teachers or the negro race are sometimes criti. cised. but that by correct teaching of the younger generation, he predicted great
 progress on the part of the race. D. w. Parker of Bessemer followed Scott in a response to the welcome speeches.
 Parker spoke of the advantages of Montgomery as a location for the asso-
 citation meeting He said that color was not question to be solved by the Ameri-
 can people, and that the progress of the race was entirely a matter of education
 He spoke of the war between the States
 and compared the situation of that time with that of today.
 Parker was applauded. He was folio y- ed after a song by Professor G. s. Lewis Of Birmingham. president of the associa- ton, in his annual address. Professor Lewis alluded to the political situation of the State and nation and of the race problem.
 But" said he the problem of the education of our race is more vital than the political problem"
 The late strikes, he said were argu- ments for education. He said the negroes paid their share of the taxes in the State, but the poll tax paid by them was only small portion of the educational work.
 
 give without beneficial results. as money for educational purposes was regarded by some, but that 1t Is duty to the race and to the country to contribute for that cause.
 He spoke of the number of young negroes who loiter on streets which in- duces them to vice and crime, and refer red to an instance where their were 4,657 available students, only 2,000 of whom were enrolled in schools, which he said was an average.
 Schools should be the centers of in- fiuence," said Professor Lewis. ''Sensu- ality, cruelty and selfshness characterize the uneducated."
 Continuing he said that in the greater number of schools the lower grades were full while the higher grades suffered for want of attendance.
 "The students of our race need practi- cal edueation, he said. and the teachers must keep abreast of the demands of the time. The race problem is nearing a crisis and much depends on the teachers"
 Professor w. B. Paterson. principal of the State Normal School, was called on to make a speech in the absence of Pro- lessor Council.
 Professor Paterson spoke retrospectively of the first convention of the association in 1882, and said he had been surprised at its progress and strides which he likened to that of the entire race. He said that at the first meeting there were representatives of schools of 50 to 100 pupils where now there are teachers present representing schools of from 800