The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-06-28
Negro Schools.

There is at this time two of the
Negro schools in Tennessee making
a life and death struggle to improve
their conditions financially. The Tur-
ner Normal College at Shelbyville is
issuing an appeal to the churches
throughout the state for an annual
contribution to the amount of five
thousand dollars. Roger Wi liams
University, of this city, is making
a special appeal to the Negroes of
Nashville for one thousand dollars.
These schools are supported almost
exclusively by Negroes. In the case
of Turner Norma College it is wholly
so. Roger Williams University re-
ceives a small pittance from the
American Baptist Home Mission So
ciety annually, but not enough to be
of any consequence in running
school. There are other Negro col
leges in the state that are run indie
pendently, but the two mentioned
above are those that stand out con-
.spicuously now, making their ap-
peals direct to the Negroes.
Roger Williams University has in
time past enjoyed the distinction of
ranking with the leading educational
institutions in the South, but it will
be remembered that few years ago
the magnificent buildings that adorn-
ed the southwest corner of our city
were destroyed by fire. 1t will also
be remembered how the Home Mis-
sion Society, with headquarters in
New York, robbed the Negroes of the
South of all the money derived from
the insurance on the buildings and
the sale of the grounds. This re-
duced what was once a strong fin.
ancia' institution to one very weak
The Negro Baptists of
Tennessee have shouldered this bur
den, and are struggling to redeem
that prestige Roger Williams once
held.
The Trustees of the institution and
the leading Baptists are asking all
OF the Negroes in this city to Join
in and help Roger vii Jams raise
one thousand dollars. This can be
done, and we believe it will be done.
1t is not a time when any man should
stop to cayel over denominations. but
every Negro who has a spark of race
pride should have within his breast
the desire to see all educational in.
situations that belong exclusively to
Negroes, and which they are struggl.
ing to maintain, keep their heads
above the water.
Turner Normal College at Shelby
vile is just beginning to blossom.
Starting four years ago, the African
Methodists throughout Tennessee
have made annual struggles to raise
funds to improve that institution;
and, be it said to their credit. their
RAJ les have succeeded admirably
well. The amount asked for was
five thousand dollars. and nearly that
sum was raised each year In 1912
the same appeal is being made, and
from the past record of the churches
throughout the state it seems safe to
predict that the rally this year will
come up to those of former years
We submit that the floods have
greatly hindered the farmers and
have made living very expensive in
the cities, but we believe this will
be Offset by the growing loyalty of
Negroes to foster their own insti.
tutions We believe that Turner Nor.
NAL College and Roger Williams
University will both come out of
their financial efforts with colors fly
ing; for Negroes are realizing more
and more that they must out of their
meager earnings support some Of
their own institutions.