The Brandon news., 1910-03-03
NEGROES STRIVING TO BETTER
THEIR CONDITIONS.

WO cntHuSldSuC meetings or more than
passing interest to the negro farmers and
teachers of Rankin county occurred Sat-
urday, February 10Th, at the Pine Ridge
Rural Industrial School, which is three
miles north of Braxton, one mile east of
Comfy and three miles southeast of Star
The school which is becoming the negro
center of industrial inspiration for miles
around is destined to do an everlasting
good in teaching the people better home
life and better methods of farming.
A tentative organization of the Colored
Mems Corn Club was formed, adjourning
with an agreement to meet for final or
ganization on the third Saturday in March
at II o'clock.
The important conference of the day
occurred at o'clock. This was the first
meeting of teachers, trustees and patrons
ever called among the colored people of
Rankin county for the betterment of the
colored rural schools. During the entire
half century since the civil war, the negro
schools have been tramping the tread
mill of the three R's-"readirg, riting,
and rithmetic"- now comes a. clarion
call of an industrial movement from the
one improved school of the county. If
every negro school would catch the indus
trial spirit that exists in this school
and among its patrons it would mean a
better negro and a better country.
For the first time in history the negroes
about the school are awaking from their
usual dormant condition. Some of them
are blowing in January for the first time
in their lives, some have borrowed their
white neighbours two-horse plows and are
going deep into the soil, others are fixing
up their fences, clearing up new ground
and re-modeling their homes
Among these are some negroes who are
we'll known to the people of Rankin coun-
ty. Uncle Ed Taylor and Anon Gibson,
are breaking up their ground with two
horse plows, Archie Hayer, Anon Gibson
and Joe Patterson have built new homes
and Uncle Ed Taylor is planning to build
new home this summer. Others are toi-
lowing in their footsteps.
In the school their children are being
taught cooking sewing and scientific ag
ricuIture. One of the best indications
of the good work of this school and
prophecy of its future usefulness is the
support and encouragement that is beng
given it by all of the best white people
who are acquainted with its plans and
teachings.
During the association meeting re-
port drawn up by the committee appointed
to look into the conditions of the rural
schools reported as follows:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON COL
ORED RURAL SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Principal:
We, your committee on looking into
the conditions of the rural schools SUBJ
NIT the fillowing report:
Inasmuch as the Negro is the Agri-
cultural laborer of Rankin county, greater
stress ought to be put upon this subject
in our rural schools The teacher must
initiate the movement. Teacher and trus-
tees why not set aside an acre of ground
to be developed by the teacher and pupils
until school is out and then by the patrons,
the proceeds of which would go toward
repairing the school house and supple
menting the teachers salary. Here is an
opportunity for teaching practical agri-
culture.
More interest need be taken by the teach
ers. They themselves need to take off
their coats, roll up their sleeves and set
the example for the Improvement. Straigh-
ten up your buildings,put in few window
panes, make some new blackboards, get
few pounds of lime and whitewash your