The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-05-11

ary association ought now, by the mu- niflcence of some kind donor, to be in possession of site for the new univer- sity that must be the outgrowth of the existing one, which is so restricted in its present quarters. Straight univer- sity, with it's 700 students, is to-day hardly more than a huge high school. There are few, if any, takers of it's col lege and normal courses, and it's theo- logical department has been transferred to Fisk; and yet among all the Ameri- can Missionary association higher schools, there are few with such op- portunities for almost illimitable growth. as are offered by a large and growing city.
 The students at Straight seemed much younger than at TaIladega, but they were very much lighter in color, had the polite manners of city life, were bright and interesting, with a large sprinkling of Creoles and Catho- lies. The university has a strong local board of trustees Composed of broad minded men who take a deep interest in the welfare and outlook of the school. The term university" as ap- piled to a school like this, can only be employed in a prophetic sense. But Straight is at the parting of the ways It ought to go forward to be a university in fact aus well as in name. Its prestige is great and It's influence mighty through the state. The Metho- dists and the Baptists have similar institutions in New Orleans, and with the great Tulane university for white students, there is a distinctly academic air in this commercial and historic old city The new Straight must be built up on it's literary and religious side without neglecting it's great in dustrial opportunity
 Tougaloo is five miles north of Jack son, Miss, in the heart of the black belt" The little railroad station is in the woods, through which over a short bridle path, one emerges suddenly up- on the beautiful quadrangle of univer- sity buildings grouped around the spa cious campus. The nucleus of them all is the mansion" another pillared stately building of the old southern plantation type, and his is hanked by Board and Ballard halls, while opposite across the campus. Is the chapel, with the industrial schools Strieby hall and a new dormitory and Berkshire hall, the grade schools and the dining hall off at the right.
 Two hundred boarding students are gathered here, and fine faculty, with the sweet-spirited Dr. Woodworth and his efficient dean, Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, at the head. Here, also, is splendid forging department under the sturdy Scot, Alexander MacDougall, who left his anvil in North Adams to teach the blacks iron work. And such music as they render Mrs Hamlin called her chorus of 70 voices together and they sang to my breathless astonishment, Gades "The Crusaders" one of the most difficult compositions I heard re- citations in Latin, history, English, and vocal music. Dressmaking is a spe- cialty
 One is deeply conscious of the reli- gious spirit at Tougaloo. The brief prayer service after supper brings to fitting close busy Tougaloo day To a close? No! Go over to Ballard hall, and there in the large and quiet study room, you will find these students two hours longer, preparing the lessons for the next day.
 From Tougaloo to Memphis and Le- Moyne institute, and from thence to Nashville and Fisk university, were the two remaining stages of my journey. r. was pleasant to meet at Memphis the veteran principal A. J. Steele, who, for thirty-two years has so efficiently directed the work at LeMoyne insti- ute, where 650 students are trained, and