Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-04
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Charges Against Miss Cooper to Be
Heard

Unless all indications fail there will be an
interesting meeting this evening of the
board of education, when it Is understood
the investigation into the charges against
Miss Cooper, principal of the M Street High
School. will be concluded. Delegations of
prominent colored persons, representing most
all the lyceums. church unions and societies
in the District will wait upon the board and
will request permission to present argu-
ments in favor of Miss Cooper and the re-
tention of the present curriculum Of the
school in question.
The mothers of pupils attending the M
Street High School met today at the home
of Mrs Curtis, 18th and streets north
west. to determine upon course OF action.
Mrs. Curtis was elected chairman and asked
to present the plea of the mothers. To
Star reporter she explained that the first
two charges against Miss Cooper-drunken-
ness Of pupils and lack of discipline-had
been disproved. and that the only issue re-
naming is the proposed change in the cur
riculum.
I'VE feel that our sons and daughters
should be offered the same advantages in
the matter of education as the white chill
dren," she said I'VE help pay the taxes,
and we must have an equal chance, for in
later life the colored men must compete
with the white men. and their educational
advantages should be the same. AS to the
lack of ability on the part of colored stu
dents to maintain the standard of studies
now offered them, I will call your attention
to the cases Of Hugh Francis and French
Tyson. local colored boys. who are now
honor men at Harvard: Robert Mattingly
who Is at Andover: Mr. Compton, the
smartest man in Brown University; Mr..
Lawson at Rutgers and host of others.
These were all graduates Of the M street
High School. They maintained the same
standard as their white competitors and in
the universities have demonstrated that
they are as capable of absorbing knowl-
edge.
"Of course, there are some students who
cannot pass the final examinations. but is
this not true in the white schools? All the
boys and girls cannot be brilliant I think
and ! speak for the mothers Of pupils at
the high school-that we have the right to
the same studies as the white high schools,
and know that the colored people of the
District will not let up In this fight until
that much is accomplished
Mr.. H. P. Cheatham, formerly recorder
Of deeds and once member of Congress,
said today:
"Since my arrival here learn of a fight
would have some interest in the matter
from two standpoints-first have a daugh-
ter in the High School; secondly, Mrs
Cooper comes from North Carolina, where
she made a reputation as a teacher in one
of the best schools in the state, st. Angus
tine. for the training of our people. She
Is regarded in every way one of our
purest and best women.
In supporting the position which I un-
derstand she takes for the present curricu-
lum in the High School, she is justified.
and has almost the entire support Of the
race on this point.
She Is a teacher of large experience,
we'll educated. and hard worker for her
people. / find the people here are thor
oughly satisfied with her"