Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-10
DECLINES TO TAKE ACTION.
Board Of Education Unable to Decide
Colvin Case.

The principal subject of consideration at
last nights meeting of the board of educa-
ton was the complaint of certain white
residents of Kenilworth against the chill
dren Of J. R. Colvin attending the public
school in that suburb on the ground That
they are coIored children. At the close OF
the meeting, which was held behind closed
doors, it was announced that the board had
received a letter from Mr.. Colvin, denying
that he is of colored blood.
The letter referred to is in response to a
communication from the board, dated No
vember 3, inc1osing statement of the
charges which had been made against him
and his family by residents of Kenilworth,
and asking for his side of the case.
The text Of Mr.. Colvin's letter is as fol-
WASHINGTON, D. c.. November 1904.
ITO TIE Honorable Board of Education OF
the District of Columbia, Washington,
d. c.:
gentlemen: / have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your communication of
November 3, 1904, and the accompanying
papers.
white man, and married to a white woman.
1t is true that have some Indian blood in
my veins, but none OF the African. l have
never associated to any extent with eelored
people, or been known as colored person.
The names of the persons who have signed
letters and made affidavits in this matter
are entirely unknown to me, except as to
one.
further most respectfully state that I
am willing, If the board desires, to produce
affidavits or letters as to my wife, my chill
dren and my associates, and also as to the
nationality Of my wife and myself
II shall at the proper time and in the
proper way take such action as the case re-
quires, and as the law will afford me,
against the people who have SO cruelty
slandered myself and family.
with great resBeet, Z remain. very truly,
81 i"J.t r. COLVIN." 4
This letter was considered at last nights
meeting of the board Of education, and it
was decided that the case was not one
in which the board canftake final action in
its present conditions with the material
facts in dispute.
In explanation Of thesdecision of the board
to hold the case in abeyance, one of the
members stated that after receiving Mr.
Colvin's letter, in which he makes an abso-
Lutte denial Of the stafenent that he is a
colored man. theref was nothing for the
board to do but leave 4be acontroyersv to he
settled in the proper tribunals. The board
of education. he though, was not the place
to dispose Of it. .. i.nnk
passed excluding sfhe children from the
school, they are stiA entitled to attend its
classes. and, from All That could be learned
last night, they win continue as pupils so
It was also announced by the secretary of
the board that the exercises to be held at
BIB. French Manual Training School at ii
am; tomorrow will include addresses bv.
Commissioner mcfarland, j. A. Chamber
lain, director Of manual training, and A. It.
Stuart, superintendent of schools The In
vocation will be pronounced by Rev. q. e.
Maydwell, and America" and ssaTenting
Tonight on the Old Camp Ground will be
sung by the school children. The children
will also sing Santa Lucia" Mr.. J. w.
Whelpley will preside at the ceremonies,
lf<.l, p1fH " ho,o ~
The board approved changes in the public
schools as follows: E. J. Dakin, from SSo5
to $3.50 per annum; ]. A. Montgomery, from
$500 to 1925 per annum; Flora Freyhold
from 800 to $500 per annum; e. M COL
houn, from $3.50 to 500 per annum. and A.
L. Cornish, from 5000 to $3.50