The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-22
WASHINGTON AT HOME.
Personality Of the Much Talked or
Negro Educator.

Negro Educator.
Tuskegee Letter In Washington Star.
Booker T. Washington lives at Tuskegee
In beautiful brick residence erected by his
own students. 1t is modern in all details,
neat enough to excite the envy of a New
England housekeeper, and furnished with
all those little refinements of taste and lux
ury which are suggested by advanced edu-
cation and perfect savoire faire. The rugs.
hangings, pictures are in the most exquisite
taste of so cultured couple Mr. and
Mrs. Washington.
At the principals invitation, went UP TO
his study on the third floor Of his resi-
dence. On a table in the midst of a plain
ly furnished room stood tiny vase, hold
ing a bunch of violets. On the walls hung
pictures of Rutherford B. Hayes, auto
graphed and presented by the late Presi-
dent; of Bishop Paine, founder of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church; of the
Hampton Normal Academy and a frieze
from the Shaw monument In Boston.
small bust of Admiral Dewey bore witness
to the negro leaders patriotism.
In private conversation Mr.. Washington
is most charming-simple as a child, un-
pretending, full of good stories, oeferential.
There is much in his mental makeup that
reminds one of Abraham Lincoln We
talked of his work and the relation of the
two races.
What is your hope as to the ultimate
situation, 1 asked when the negroes
finally become the equals of the whites In
education, financial resources and influ-
ence?"
"If such a time ever comes he replied,
II hope that the two races will live to-
to-day. Each race will have its own So
ciety. and will continue a distinct people.
yet they will live side by side in harmonious
business and political relations.
'iBut do you not sometimes feel lonely
and does not such a cultivated lady as your
wife often long for association with peo-
pie who are her equals in education and re-
finement?"
Not at all. That is one feature of the
case that white people do not seem gener-
ally to understand. In every city that !
visit j am sure to find several cultivated
colored families. with modern houses where
magazines and music and entertaining con-
versation. The time has passed in America
when educated negro need feel lonely"
The two main objects which Washington
is striving 20 attain are to make the negro
a useful member Of society and to upbuild
his moral fiber.
You will not find anywhere I'm the whole
country a more moral community than
this he said proudly. speaking of Tuske-
gee. "And it is emphatically true that my
pies of purity in the neighborhoods where
they settle, and strong influences for good
Rarely. If ever. does girl graduate of
do many of them enter domestic serv-
ice?" l asked.
mo; They can get places at three and
four times the wages that domestic service
offers, and We cannot turn them out fast
enough to fill the places. Later on / hope
to have school for the training Of domes-
tic servants and housekeepers."
Speaking of the present relations of
whites and blacks in the South, Mr.. Wash
ington said: There are very few places
where the negro is disturbed in holding
property and in doing business. In general
the white man is good friend of the negro
who is trying to better his condition, and
the latter is beginning to discriminate be-
tween his real friends and the politicians
In Washington and Charleston" he con-
tinued laughing, 'the negroes themselves
draw the color line. In the latter city there
is an Episcopal Church where the members
are all of light shade.
The mans sense of humor, as well as his
keen knowledge of human nature, is illus
trated by his description of recent con-
versation with Andrew Carnegie, who is
taking interest in Tuskegee, and has
already done much for the school.
Carnegie talked about his books,' he
said land told me that Joaquin Miller, the
poet. knew one of them by heart. 1 found
that l hadn't read anything by Carnegie
as left him went to publish
er's and ordered everything that he ever
wrote sent to me. 1 have commenced to
bone up for the next meeting"
BY the way, Carnegie is daily expected at
Tuskegee, and it is to be hoped that he will
open his purse strings wide for a most
worthy object
Booker Washington's advice to a Mexican
who asked him what could be done in
Mexico to improve the condition of the poor
poems contains the kernel of his system:
What are they doing, now?" asked the
negro.
Raising sheep" was the reply.
Teach them TO raise better sheep" said
Mr.. Washington.
He encourages negro music at Tuskegee
because lit is about the only thing we have
created in America-the only music that
we have Originated-and it's real music"
Booker T. Washington occupies unique
place in the world to-day. He is without
doubt the greatest living race leader, and
he is all the greater because he is leading
his people up along paths of peace and
patience.