Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-10

port of the Industrial schools comes from
benevolent northern people, or from the
proceeds from the sale of lands granted by
the United States Congress. At a liberal
estimate it would cost $4,000 to start an
industrial school and equip it with the nee
essary machinery and implements; while
$4,000 year would support a faculty suffi-
Gent to instruct four or five hundred stu
dents. That Is an Insignificant expenditure
compared with the results that would be
accomplished by improving the efficiency
of labor, encouraging habits of industry
and economy and improving the moral and
material condition of the race.
1t is the uniform testimony of all the
people 1 have talked with in the south on
that subject that the largest ratio of
home owners among the colored people,
and the best farmers and mechanics, are
found in the neighborhood of Industrial
schools. If there is any doubt upon this
subject an inquiry would settle the ques-
ton readily. But 1 have not heard that
the legislature of any southern states has
ever undertaken or proposed to undertake
an investigation into the comparative sue
cess of the various methods for improving
the condition ofthe laboring element ii that
section On the contrary, the frequent con-
ventions and other gatherings that are
held in the south to discuss such matters
are attended chiefly by northern men. who
alone seem to show an interest in the
uplifting of the negro and the improve
ment of labor conditions. Members of the
legislatures dare not advocate liberal APP
propria tons and benevolent schemes for
the benefit of the colored people, because
they are supposed to be unpopular with the
masses. And thus they stand in their own
light.
1t is not political or a charitable prop
osition, but purely economical. The south
has an abundance of material for labor, If
1t were only trained but those who need 1t
the most are usually the most stubborn in
their opposition to the industrial education
of their own employees.
School Camps Suggested.
At several places it has occurred to me
that the capacity of the industrial schools
n ight be increased considerably by provid-
Ing camps to shelter the students. The lack
of dormitory accommodations could be par
TALLY supplied by tents, such as are used
by the regular army, making model camps
upon the grounds of the institutions. In
nearly all of them there is a military feat
ure. The boys are not allowed to handle
guns-there is a prejudice against that-but
they are organized into companies and bat
talions, have officers and drill masters,
wear uniforms have regular hours for
drill, and are governed by military disci-
pine This method has been found effec-
tive in stimulating the pride and develop
ing the manhood of the boys. 1t has taught
them to be prompt and orderly in their
habits, neat in their dress and erect in their
carriage, and it seems to me that it would
be a novelty they would enjoy, promote
esprit de corps and at the same time In.
crease the sleeping accommodations, IL
model camps were established at each OF
the schools and occupied for month or
six weeks, or any convenient portion of the
school year, by different battalons in turn.
When one battalion moved out of dormi-
tory to a camp the other could move into
their places.
The military organization could be con-
tinued, the boys could carry out the reg
ular camp life and discipline, like the cadets
at West Point, and it would be even better
for them to sleep for a few weeks each
year under canvas in that mild climate
than remain continuously in the brick and
stone dormitories. The expense of this in
novation would be comparatively small, and
l am sure there are plenty of benevolent
people who would be glad to furnish the
money.