Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-04

SpectS himself. The white man grows Dy
faith in his own silken hair, his blue eyes
and strong muscles He does not seek to
run away from himself, but he is true to
lis own nature
The Negro in Politics.
Not long ago L asked President Council
this question:
viii not the constitutional disenfran-
chisement of the negro citizens of Alabama
, be of ultimate advantage to the race in
keeping them out of politics and preventing
| them from being bone of contention and
enabling them in the meantime to improve
| their material condition and qualify them
| selves to perform the duties of citizenship"
ut will if they are fairly treated along all
other lines" he replied
rs it not better for negro to educate
| himself, improve his material conditions.
save his money, buy himself a home. edu-
| cate his children and build up character
| than to crafty his pride by asserting his
| civil rights and engaging in political agi-
| tation?'
"Will not the fact that man must hold
property and have education in order
| to vote, act Incentive to negroes to
| improve their minds and characters?"
Yes. If they are treated fairly along
other vitality important lines.
"WII not the educational and property
tests result in uplifting the racer"
TT will if there is fair treatment along
other important lines. such as education,
labor and In the courts.
Should eoored men seek offices?'
Il question the wisdom of their seeking
offices under present conditions.
How large are the opportunities for edu-
Gated colored doctors. lawyers, preachers
and teachers in the south?' l asked
The opportunities are almost limitless,
replied President Council The portion
of professional services of the race would
be about what it is in the white race
what proportion of the colored college
in ifH NxrhU
of them fail?'
THE experience and observations of this
institution are that education acts ucon
negro population very much as upon whites
under like conditions
do colored people who can afford to pay
doctors and lawyers employ colored men
when they need them, or do they prefer
whites?
"Ali other things being equal they pre-
fer and employ negroes"
What is the difference in the fees
charged by white and co!ored professional
men,
1.-THE fees charged by negro professional
men are necessarily smaller than the
charges of the white professional men. not
because of a lack of competency. but an
appreciation of the inability of the client
Character Of Colored Preachers.
"What proportion of colored preachers are
educated men?"
IL cannot be definite, but 1 am quite sure
that more IMAM OIt-lodih III VI shC hSShS
preachers have had what we ordinarily call
common school education, ana some are
we'll educated
SIS there any improvement among the
preachers in education and morals?
Undoubtedly there has been great i'm
proyement" continued Prof. Council. L
saw the first school established for the
freedmen / have been in the school room
for forty years of my freed life. having been
liberated by the emancipation proclamation
how ON n
watched the progress along all lines since
that proclamation was issued, ana am
proud TO say the Improvement among the
negroes is no greater anywhere else than
among the many preachers. Ihere IS an
unnecessary and unreasonable prejudice
against the negro preachers which greatly
misrepresents their true worth.
Are colored teachers needed to train your
people in agriculture and the trades. TO
teach them how to make the best use OF
their time and strength!
':Such need is very apparent ana inpeia
tive
..Do YOU think that well-trained farmer
or a well-trained mechanic with common
school education Is the ideal condition or
the negro, rather than an uncertain push
ton in profeSSiOn?
''Eminently so. whether certain or uncsr-
tain in the profession; because as see II
the future success of the negro race as
whole rests along mechamcal, agricultural
and domestic lines.
"Is not the effect of an industrial scaool
training to strengthen the character. ele-
waite the manhood and inspire the anlbi-
tion?'
.Most assuredly it Isl
rs the material condition of the colored
people who have had an industrial training
improved?"
"Yes. where they have been symmetricaliy
developed; that is, where the head, heart
and hand have been trained conformity
Does the ratio of home owning increase
with the education OF the negro!
influence Of Education.
Yes. I have stated that education acts
upon the negro much as upon the whites.
Wherever there Is intelligence and right
principles of manhood among people there
will be corresponding increase In wealth.
How many schools are there in Alabama
for the Industrial training Of negroes. and
how many students have they?"
81 cannot answer this question definitely
either as to the number of schools or stu
dents. Nearly all the schools in Alabama
are introducing the industrial plan. Even
the common schools are devising ways and
means Of introducing some kind OF trade
and are constantly doing So
'How much money is spent by the state
or counties in negro industrial education?"
Alabama gives about $2O.OOO year to
her Industrial schools. Some counties and
cities have made and are making provisions
for both races"
'sVhat sum is raised by taxation for that
purpose. not including land grant money!"
There is no special taxation for this spe-
cial purpose, but the legislature has been
partial IN making appropriations for these
institutions"
What would happen IL there were an in
dustrial school for negroes In every county
or every congressional district"
s'The race and state would be lifted UP
and made more prosperous"
How many useful citizens could you turn
out every year IL there were such a school
In every one of the nine congressional dis
tricts In Alabama and the eight in Missis-
sippig"
u cannot be definite but know that the
number would be largely increased and the
whole country benefited thereby"
How much would Il cost to support nine
Industrial schools In one state and eight in
the other. and how many negro boys and
girls would take advantage Of them? Also
what would be the result upor the indus
trial condition OF the state1'
I The cost OF establishing and maintaining
such an institution would depend entirely
upon their intended scope and usefulness /
think It Is safe to say that three fourths Of
the negro boys and girls In the schools Of
the country really desire an industrial edu-
cation The result would be of innmsAsura-
hi6 soO6"