Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-18
THROUGHTHE SOUTH
Supt. Stetson Tells of Trip
With Ogden Party.
A Study of Educational Conditions in
the Black Belt.
Something About Mr.. Ogden and the
Work Hc Docs.

will you give the Journal some
items on your trip in the South?" was
asked Superintendent Stetson the other
day.
We'll, to begin WITH he answered,
the train provided by Mr.. Ogden in
Guided luggage car, two dining cars,
five Pullmans and an observation ear,
and the company was made UP of
editors, clergymcn, authors, philan-
thropists, presidents and professors of
colleges, business men, public school
men and private citizens. The cosmo-
pulitan character of the company is in
Dictated by the following list Talcott
Williams, editor of the Philadelphia
Picss. Walter II. Page. edii,r of the
Worlds Work, Bishop Lawrence of
| Massachusetts, Col Thomas Went
| worth HigginsOn Of Cambridge. Pres.
Hyde of Bowdoin College, George +.
Peabody of New York City, Mrs. Thorp,
| daughter of the poet Longfellow, and
Hugh FL. Hanna Of indianapolis chair
man of the National Monetary Com
mission. There were about 10 persons
il The party
What sections of the South were
| visited?"
The first stop was made at I1amp-
| ton, Va, where the visitors had an Up-
portunity to see the routine work and
attend the graduating exercises of
Hampton Institute. the famous school
founded by General Armstrong. Visits
were also made to Rock Mil, S. g.,
Montgomery, Tuskegce, Montevallo,
Calhoun, Tuscaloosa, Troy and Birm-
inehan. Ala. At the last named place
| the sessions of the Conference were
held"
| What were some of the experiences
Of the trip"
| AT Hampton the visitors saw farm
ing exemplified in all of its forms and
they also saw work in nearly all the
industrial trades. The ''cvcry day"
Kind of work done is indicated by the
fact that one of the party had his shoes
repaired and another had a rent in his
clothing mcndtd by students. The
school also gives instruction in the
common school studies and in many of
the secondary school branches"
What impressed you most about this
school,"
THE attractivcness Of the grounds
and buildings the grace of carriage Of
the pupils, the tastcfulncSs of their APP
parcl, the evidence they furnished of
their interest in their work and the
ability they exhibited for performing
their tasks skilfully The student
speakers at the graduating exercises
were distinguished for their pleasing
delivery, idomatic English and a high
grade quality of thought. The school
Numbers about 1900 students and is
| composed entirely of negroes and
Indians. 1t has a plant valued at $780,
100000.
Ibid you visit any white institu-
tions?''
THE colleges at Greensboro, N. c.,
Rock Hill, S. c.. Troy. Ala. and the
Industrial School at Montevallo. Ala,
admit only white students. The Uni
versity of Alabama at Tuscaloosa is n
co-educational institution for whites.
These institutions have ample grounds.
laid out in fine taste and adorned with
flowers and trees. The buildings are
commodious and are supplied with
modern cOnvcnicnccs. 1t is n continue
ing surprise to note the amount Of
lmoncy invested in secondary and COL
Iegiatc institutions in the South in the
last twenty years"
What do you think of Tuskegee and
Booker Washington?'
The Tuskegee school is in the
'Elack Belt of Alabama. One of the
towns in it's vicinity has twenty-scvcn
blacks for each white citizen. All the
instructors in this school are negroes.
The student body numbers some 1860
Young men and women. It's property is
said to be worth 5000, 900. The grounds
include several hundred acres of what
was formerly WORKOUT plantations. If
there is any kind of manual work that
is not duplicated in this school it has
escaped my notice. Students are
Taught to rear and care for fowls. sheep.
hogs. horses and cattle. All kinds Of
| crops ere planted that are grown in
the Southern states. instruction is
also given in domestic science, mil
Iiuery, dress making. tailoring. car
pentry. shoemaking, iron work and
other Industries too numerous to men,
ton. The regular work of the common
| schools is also provided for and many
Of the secondary school studies are
taught"
AT the graduating exercises stu
dents gave detailed descriptions of
ironing carriages. making brooms,
manufacturing butter, measuring a
customer for suit of clothes and sew