The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-24
SCHOOLS FOR NEGROES
MATTER IS DISCUSSED AT THE
 TUsKEGEE CONFERENCE.
DetermlnatIOn to Improve Such Educa- tiOnaI Facilities In So Far as Possible in Evidence
 ct Meeting.

Tuskegee, Feb. 23.-(Special.) )--The fourteenth annual meeting of the Workers Conference was held in the lecture room of Douglass Hall, begin ming Rt 10 a. m. The scriptures were read by Archdeacon Russell of St. Paurs School, Lawrenceville. Va, and prayer was offered by Rev. Kingston of the Colored Presbyterian Church, Selma.
 Dr. Washington. in opening the meeting, said, in part: ''Ths idea of taking advantage of suggestions made in the Farmers Conference Of the day before gave rise to this meeting. The representatives of the masses often make suggestions that are valuable to those engaged in education in the larger centers."
 A committed, appointed to suggest line of thought for the meeting. suggested the following. which was adopted:
 The Negro common school; (a) School taxes; (b) Equitable division teachers; (d) Community work-the school as a social center.
 President Booker of the Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock, Ark, spoke of the great fight made In his State for the division of the public funds between the races, according to taxes paid by each. It was defeated, yet he feels that there Is 0 dangerous tendency to take away the public school funds from the Negro. The colored schools in Arkansas. he re- ported as not in session more than three and one-haf months In the year. They are trying to supplement the pub lie money with private funds.
 Father Daniels of Arkansas said, afa ~f.t t,r for white and school for colored. One has $40 per month, the other $35. They both run the same length of time, six months" The impression seemed to be that these were exceptions, not the rule.
 Ad Wimbs of Greensboro regarded the condition of the country public schools of this State as exceedingly bad.
 Dr. Buttrick made a report on the condition of Gloucester County, Va, with special reference to their schools. It showed that schools for white and colored received about the same atten- ton and nearly the same amount of money. running about the same length of time. He spoke of the great uplift to the people along all lines by req son of good schools for all.
 Reports from Texas showed that schools are abundant and we'll sup ported. Teachers in some instances are not the best. A proposition to di- vide the taxes between the races was voted down at the present session of the Legislature by an almost unani- nous vote.
 pr. Heck, Dr. Buttricks secretary, thought sympathy from Southern white men should be emphasized. We grow" he said, by sympathy" He spoke on the division of the school funds from a scientific point of view He urged that the problem be wrought out by mutual sympathy on the part of both races. He granted that all the tax was rot paid by the property holder, but that the value of the plan tation depended upon the labor of the tenants.
 Ad Wimbs of Greensboro expressed his deep and growing interest in the public schools. He thought that in the education of all the children of the State there should be no knowledge as to who paid the taxes.
 pr. Washington could see no safety for any one except in the enforcement of the law. that the division of funds should rest on law and not on senti- ment. In the distribution of school funds absolute fairness should be prac- ticed.
 James Nicholson of Monroeville thought the fault was often with the oolored teacher in that he was igno- rant of his rights in the case and. too often. took. without protest. whatever was offered him. He thought they should acquaint themselves with the law and simply ask for what Is allow ed. Tn this view Dr. Heck concurred. He said If a teacher is willing to teach for SIS per month. on the law of sup ply and demand, he could not expect more.
 Delegate Reese of Scranton. Miss. said that the schools of Mississippi were improving. He said the State had Issued bonds, at the suggestion of the State Superintendent, in order to in- crease the funds for public schools. The colored people pay large taxes in Mississippi old school houses are be- ing torn down and new ones taking their places.
 W. H. Holtzclaw, Utica, Miss, said the public fund in Mississippi is larger than that Of any other Southern State he knew of. The colored people dn not get as much of the fund as they might seem entitled to because the salaries are paid according to grade of eertin- cate and as a fact. but few of the colored teachers are able to obtain any but second and third grade certin- aataa ''Tba poor school honseA" ha