The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-09-12
Who is the board that has charge of this

WOrk7
The headquarters ofthe board Ia in Pitts
burg, Pennsylvania. The m members are pas
tors and elders of Presby terrain churches in
that city and In Allegheny. The Secretary
and Treasurer is DR.. E. P. Cowsn, whose
brother is pastor in one of the Southern
the owner Of slaves until the emancipation,
Other members OF the board are DR.. Melvin
Of Kentucky, DR.. Henry D. Lindsay. now OF
Allegheny; AI but who !. Ia native M Of Due West
There are other memb bers of the board whom
have not met. One Of the rules OF this
board is that Its ministers and teachers shall
1 have observed so strictly that 1 have moi
participated in any political discussion OF
attended any political meeting in my life.
am no politician, here or elsewhere.
Isyours Republican institution in which
politics is directly Or indirectly tapgh13
No. sir; 1t is not. The board OF supervision
| is composed OF Democrats and Republicans
and contributions come alike from both PAL.
| ties. II or my assistants should teach poll
tics the board would be offended, and ".
| would lose our jobs imm ediateIy.
Have you had cause 70 think that you,
work bas been offensive 10 The white people;
been such as 10 warrant me In assuming thai
they bad nothing against me. ! have ep
deavored in my conduct and speech 10 make
myself worthy OF the good opinion OF tbt
and those With whom have had dealings
are my fri endkl and sympathize with me.
Why is II that the Northern board does no,
with them In the management of this schools
have approached several white gentle men
OF Abbeville 10 take positions as trustees OF
our college, and We would be glad TO have
W % act as ernsteeS
Have you ever had reports from citizens as
to Offensive conduct on the partof your stu
dents:
proper conduct on the part OF my students
and think their general behavior has been
Is it true that you or your teachers, have
spsaPins for sne SS.s SSE. have never shot.
pistol or gun in my life, and have not owned
one for years. am not aware OF my teach
ers having gums or pistols. .
fre-arm. During my administration, I
have at different times Suspended boys in
whose possession firearms were discovered.
Do you fear personal y'olence7
murder in bis heart against me; or even at
the present moment. that any one here
would attack me or do injury TO one who had
given 10 just cause OF ofense.
Did You say In your commencement speech
or at any other time, directly or indirectly,
that you had already put white women In
the Kitchen and would soon have Them at the
wash tubf
In the first place: made no commence
ment address. The address was delivered by
DR. Weaver Of Atlanta. never on any &C.
casion in my life said in word or In effect
what thiAI rumor imputes. It no doubt or
iginated among my own race. some OF whom
are envious Of the success Of the school and
the favor 70 which am held by the board OF
management.
Why are they envious OF you?
I came here at the request Of the board to
take charge of Ferguson Academy. Up-
fortunately the way had not been cleared for
one TO assume that position without Inherit
ing the ill-will OF bis predecessor and his
friends. While the institution over which I
preside has grown, this Ill feeling against me
has increased In like ratio. I know OF no
other ground OF objection to me or TO my
school except that which originated In tho
min dB OF those who ire rivals or are jealous
OF my work. ! have positively done nothing
to merit the Ill. will OF the white people and
I would not be able today to name g single
white man in the town or In the country to
whom I could feel justified In feeling nm
kindly. have not obtruded myself upon
anybody. All my labor and all my efforts
has been for the uplifting of my own race,
without ill-feeling or unkindness to any.
body. have been at all times respectful and
polite to both white and colored people, try
Ing TO behave myself "wisely and In perfect
way"
Have you resigned, Ifso. when do you in
tend TO 60 away?
I submitted my resignation to the board a
week ago, and ] am now arranging my bust.
ness to leave the town, but how soon, can't