The Washington bee., 1909-09-18
Not A Burden
PUBLIC TAXATION AND

Mr., Charles l.. OOOny OF NllsOL'
North Carolina, delivered an excel
lent address at the twelfth annual
Conference for Education in the
South. at Atlanta, Georgia, last
April "A IS and 10.
Mr.. Coon gives statistics and facts
cf the amount of money paid by Ne
groes on taxable property and main
tains that the education of the Negro
is paid by himself Mr.. Coon claims
that the Negro public schools in the
South are not a burden to the white
tax PAYERS. Mr.. Coon includes
eleven southern states, which he
claims, in 1000 contained 7,I99,374
Of the 8,84o,z8o Negroes then living
in the United States, or 8I.4 per cent
try, namely: Virginia, North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Georgia, Flor
ida, Alabama. Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas. Arkansas. and Tennessee. In
these eleven states the total popula-
ton in 1000 was I8,975,665, of which
11,776,39I were white and 7,I99,374
or 4o.I per cent were Negro.
First. In order to find out wheth-
erer the Negro public school is a
burden on the white tax payer in
these states. it is necessary, first OF
all, to ascertain what these states are
spending for public schools, both white
and colored. The latest reports OF
the several departments of education
indicate that these eleven states are
now spending about $32,o68,85I fol-
elementary and secondary public
education. This sum represents every
item of expense. and is just slightly
more than Pennsylvania spends an
1ually for the same purpose. This
suns IS twenty-one millions less than
New York States spent for public
education in 1907, and not quite
twice as much as Massachusetts spent
in 1906. The wealth of these eleven
Southern States is Approximately
twelve billion dollars, while New
York State has property worth ff-
teen billions. Massachusetts five bill
lions. and Pennsylvania eleven and 4
half billions.
Second. The South is spending
$32,o6S,85I on her public schools,
both white and black. but what part
of this sum is devoted to Negro pub
lic schools, which must serve at least
30 per cent. of her school popula-
ton? 1t is not possible to answer
this question with abSOute accuracy.
But II is possible, from the several
State reports. to find out the whole
amount spent for teachers, and, in all
the States, except Arkansas, what
was spent for white andNegro teach
ers separately. The aggregate sum
now being spent for public school
teachers of both races in these eleven
States. is S23,8569I4, or 74.4 pei
cent. of the whole amount expended
OF this sum not more than $38I8.7os
was paid to Negro teachers, or Il
per cent. of the total expenditures
And here let me call your attention
directly to the fact that nearly three
fourths of our total public school ex-
penditures are for teachers. but that
Negro teachers receive only u per
cent of the total expended, while
white teachers receive GA per cent
II Is also evident that the amount
spent for Negro teachers is by far
the largest item of expense of the
Negro public schools.
Note-Tn the Virginia report the
amount paid to Negro teachers is not
given, but the number of Negro
teachers and their average salary is
given. Tn the Tennessee report the
average salary OF all teachers and the
number Of Negro teachers is given
The amount credited to Negro teach
ers, IS, therefore, likely too large. The
amount credited to Negro teachers il
Arkansas is based on the average tut.
ton and enrolment in the Negro
schools In all calculation the Negro
teachers are credited with such
amounts as the face of the report;
indicate. Investigation would Tin.
doubtedly lower the figures Of some
States.
Third. But aside from the ex
pense of Negro teachers. what is the