Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-20
WANT BRUCE CASE REopElED
CoLoRED CITIZENS AS60CIA'
TON TAKES ACTION.
Charges Against Assistant superin
tendent Of Schools Discussed.
Threats Made.

The administration of Roscoe Conkling
Bruce assistant superintendent Of the
local colored schools. was criticised last
night at the first public meeting OF the re-
Gently formed Colored Citizens Associa-
ton Of Washington. The meeting was
held in True Reformers' Hall. 18th and Z
streets, and attended by representative
audience of the colored citizens of the
District
1t was announced that in case the
charges recently filed against Bruce by
the association were not reconsidered by
the board OF education. and the condi-
tions complained of remedied, the entire
affair would he presented before Congress
before the first of the coming year.
Assured of Hearing by Congress.
Il have been assured that hearing
will be given the natter said n. p.
Marshall. president of the association,
who presided. land to Congress we pro-
pose to take 1t IL necessary 1t was also
proposed to bring the attention Of
the city at large to the alleged UNI
savory conditions in the colored schools
BY a series Of mass meetings to be held
In different sections of the city at fire.
quent intervals this fall. at which the
various questions involved are to be dis
cussed from all standpoints. These meet
ings will primarily he under the SUPER
vision OF the Citizens Association
The principal address last night was
made by President Marshall, who was
succeeded in turn by Rev. D. i. Rivers.
Alex. G. Garnet l.. NJ. King and Joseph
II. Stewart. Each of them delivered short
talks. Mr.. King being introduced as "a
friend Of the opposition"
ut is not my purpose or intention in
what l shall say to defend or approve
icy," Mr. King said. II merely wish to
express my sentiments, as l believe to be
the right of every American citizen on
an occasion Of this kind. Judging from
the remarks Of the president. it appears
that this meeting Is called for the pur-
pose of denouncing the assistant s,Iperin-
tendent, Roscoe Conkling Bruce And he
has been denounced In the most scath-
ing terms. If we are to believe what
has been said about him, the average
for his position than he. Be this as it
may. the board Of education has con-
sidered these charges and Mr.. Bruce has
been exonerated. This board is q prop
erly constituted body to take such actions.
This being true, what possible good can
be accomplished by the holding OF in
dignation meetings against Mr.. Bruce?"
We arc here to discuss the unsatisfac-
tory school administration. which has ex-
listed in this city for the past two years.
by oppression, gag rule and internal dis
cord Of all kinds. and 1T is our purpose in
the citizens association here to remedy
the conditions so far as 1t lays in our
power.
Teachers Afraid to Appear.
THE gag rule complained Of Is re-
sponsible, I have no doubt. for the total
absence of teachers in this audience
They have not put in an appearance for
fear of a possible reprimand or dismissal
by their superior"
The speaker disclaimed any intention
as the head OF the agitation movement
of seeking a school Office for himself.
He reiterated that the sole hope of re-
ward Of all the agitators of the present
movement was the realization Of a clean,
unbiased administration of the colored
schools Of the District.
Mr.. Marshall reviewed the history of
the public schools for the past twelve
years and traced the origin of the con-
nection of Mr.. Bruce with the system.
HE Is theorist, he Is unfair and I'M
fit for his work here. He has every
colored school In the city In an uproar
and In discord,' said Mr.. Marshall in
conclusion.
The meeting lasted until we'll toward
midnight, adjourning at the call of the
president.