The Colorado statesman., 1912-08-03
BRUCE GIVES STATISTICS

YOUTH IN AMERlCA-LARGE
INCREASE IN 80 YEARs-FAclL.
lTlEs FOR EDUCATION VERY
GOOD.
Washington. D. C.-In presenting
diplomas to the graduates of the Arm.
strong Manual Training school at
Howard theater, Roscoe Conkling
Bruce, assistant superintendent OF
public schools. said in part:
Il appreciate the honor which has
been extended to me by the principal
and faculty of the Armstrong school.
The privilege of presenting the .diplo-
mas to this rare group of young men
and women is one which would appeal
to the least imaginative Of men.
think of the ambitions Of mothers and
fathers that are realized today.
think Of the struggles and sacrifices
these faithful men and women have
made to give their boys and girls the
opportunities of an education pro
longed through twelve or thirteen
years. I think of the moral and in.
tellectual victories which these young
men and women have won over dis.
fractions of a thousand names and
over the arduous tasks of school life.
l think of their enduring effort and
patience and determination. I think
Of the happy, serviceable lives they
will lead IN this and other communi-
ties. l think of the inestimable power
for refinement and for social uplift
which they will exert wherever their
lots may be cast in the difficult years
that are to come-I rejoice and am
exceedingly glad.
But l should do injustice to the
significance of this occasion did l not
mention the larger problem in which
the endeavors of the Armstrong school
are involved. In those cities and
states where separate schools for our
youth are maintained what progress
has been made in extending high
school opportunities? How do the
facilities which exist here at the cap
ltal OF the nation compare with those
In other localities? Is there anything
In the local situation which bids us
take heed that substantial improve.
ment may result? At these questions
on this day of rejoicing we shall do
well to glance.
MY first question relates to the
enlargement of facilities for secon.
dairy education in those communities
where separate colored high schools
are maintained. In 1880 there were
SO public high schools for colored
youth in the southern states, with
5,297 students; in 1890, 63, with H. 4SO
students, and in 1901, 100 with 12,202
students.
'In 1910 there were 142 public high
schools for negro youth in America.
These schools were scattered In 21
states and the District of Columbia;
they enrolled 1913 students, of whom
80 per cent. were boys.
From 1880 to 1910-a period of pnly
30 years-the number of high schools
grew from SO to 142-an increase of
294 per cent, and the number of stu
dents from 5,297 to 1913, an increase
of II per cent. Truly these facts re-
fleet great credit not only upon the
states and cities which made 1t pos
sible. but also upon this great demo-
cratic nation.
These young men and women be-
fore us are especially to be congratu-
lated upon the fact that they have
some reasonable conception of the
life careers upon which they are to
enter: they have enjoyed some prelim-
mary training for those careers The
most eminent of American educators
has recently remarked: In secondary
education the high schools of COM
merce and mechanic arts have a de-
cided advantage as regards motive
power within the pupils over ordi-
nary high schools. A pupil in a
commercial high school or a mechanic
arts high school has made a primary
decision with regard to his life ca
reer; he has determined the first di-
rection of his preparatory work, al
though later he may come to branch
ings of the way where new deci-
cision will be needed You are to be
upon that primary de-
cision
Some of you will Immediately en-
ter upon the business of earning
livelihood. Prove worthy of your edu.
cation and training, prove true sons
and daughters of the Armstrong
school. Armstrong will remember
you. will encourage you, will be proud
of you"