The Colorado statesman., 1912-04-06

the pioneer agent OF agricultural edu-
cation of this country, 1t seems to me
that this association has an opportu-
nifty to do some missionary work
among the negro farmers Of the south.
The fact that so much space has been
given to this subject is encouraging
as well as in line with the past his
tory Of the association.
Again l would suggest a closer and
more effectual supervision of the land
grant institutions among the colored
people of the United States, both from
state and national point of view, be-
cause these institutions have not
caught the spirit and purpose OF the
land grant colleges as expressed by
the American Association of Agricul-
tural Colleges and Experiment Sta
uons. l make this statement after
carefully weighing all the facts bear
Ing upon the matter.
To illustrate-U) The greater part
OF the s135.s00 appropriated annually
by the national government is spent
largely in teaching the trades, such
as bricklaying. printing, tailoring, etc.
This is true of the land grant institu-
tons with two or three exceptions;
(2) some of these schools have no
agricultural department at all and
some have only two or three students
in the agricultural department; (3)
with two or three exceptions these in
stitudons are not properly equipped
to teach agriculture in a manner which
would inspire a student to take the
course; (4 the students in these in
stitutions have not increased in the
last decade.
When II Is understood that $40, ,000,-
600, or about three-fourths of all the
property accumulated by the negroes
OF Georgia since they were set free
is invested in farm land and farm
equipment and household goods it will
be easily seen that 1t is only common
sense and sound business policy
that their education be SO adjusted as
to enable them to make the most Of
their investment and their opportunity
as well. The best agency for this pur-
pose is the land grant college, there
fore the land grant institutions
should become more influential in
shaping the educational ideals of the
south.
short time ago / went to a great
educational conference held for the
benefit Of the negro educators, repre-
senting 16 states, and only two of the
land grant institutions for negroes
were represented. There were assem-
bled from 500 to 1000 negro educators
at this conference.
Just recently l attended a state
teachers association for the colored
people. There were between three and
four hundred teachers present and
only one teacher from the agricultu-
raj colleges for the negroes of the
state. The teachers were from the
UNCONVENTIONAL institutions and had
been trained in these schools. The
most of these schools have not yet
seen the wisdom of fostering agricul-
tural education
Would the attainment of these
ideals establish the negro farmer in
the esteem of their white neighbors ?"
To man on the outside looking upon
this question, 1t seems pregnant with
NiNubiC. NhCi yOu COlllt CIOSe 10 IL
and examine the actual facts as they
are. many of the troubles and difficult
ties disappear. 1 have communicated
with 100 negroes, who own land in
Georgia, upon this question, and every
man has agreed that the owning of
land gives them better standing in
their communities among their white
neighbors. They all testify that In
every instance some white man or
woman has suggested the idea of buy
ing land to them. AS have gone over
the states holding farmers institutes
this year. I have made it my business
to put this question to quite number
of white farmers and educators Of
Georgia. and have yet to find a white
man who thinks less of a negro be-
cause he owns his farm and home.
The best test of this question is in
the fact that the white farmers are
selling the negroes land and giving
them clear titles to 1t, and finally,
believe We had good expression of
this question last year When the
resolution was introduced into this
body making this discussion possible,
you could have heard a pin fall, but
that silence was broken by the voice
of Mr.. Thomas Parker, from Raleigh,
North Carolina, who said: 81 have
heard the discussion of the condition
of the negroe farmers in Georgia, and
as southern man, think something
should be adopted" The motion was
carried and we have this meeting as
result In this way many of the
southern white people. individually,
are selling the negroes land and help
ing them in a quiet but effective way
to become useful citizens.