The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1914-03-05
NAY CHINESE BOY ATTEND
WHITE PUBLIC SCHOOL

t6IEd our SChO0iS we raised the
question of his eligibility with w
F. Rdgan of the school board anC
others who said they were rather Of
the same opinion ds the editor and
remarked that they would look into
the matter. We are glad that some.
thing is to be done in regard to the
matter. The "chink' has no right
to a place in our public schools, we
tnnk, for many reasons, some of
which are enumerated below. Ed.
LLater-Mr. w. H. Raglan inform
ed us this morning that officers of
the Jr. Order here said that their
order had not taken any step in
regard to the matter at all. Editor I
WHAT THE PATRIOT SAYS:
Has a Chinese boy or girl the leg
al right to attend white public
school in North Carolina? Just nov
this is burning Question in High
Point, where the presence of a little
son of the Celestial empire in the
graded schools Of that town has
aroused considerable agitation. The
story as sent out from High Point by
press correspondent follows:
Lem Leong is the alliterative name
OF a ten-year old brother of a High
Point Chinese laundryman, and,
although yellow and unassuming,
fie has unconsciously attained more
noIoriety than most Americans who
have lived over half a hundred
years. The status of this Lem
Leong has lately been discussed not
oEly by the twelve influential citi-
zens who compose the city board of
education, and by the quo members
OF the four councils of the Junior
Order of United American Mechan-
lies, and by the more than one hun
dred sons who compose the local
Patriotic Order of America, and by
| .lletWo hundred Daughters of Lib
eftv, but he has been the subject of
! discussion in the office of the state
superintendent ofspublic instruction,
and even how his honor the attorney
general is ferreting out the problem
fWhicir@this yellow youngster has
pfemediatWelv presented. :.
1T was last November when Lem
Leong's older brother and guardian
asked the superintendent of schools
if his protege might enroll as a pupil.
The matter was brought before the
board of trustees with the result
that Lem Leong entered a primary
grade and memorized the second
reader the first five hours in school.
In February committee composed
Of @ W. Prim, y. F. Lewis and J.
I Apple, representing the Junior Or
der, the Patriotic Sons of America
ard t Daughters of Liberty, made
protest to the board of trustees, who
deferred removing the boy from
school until the matter could be re-
ferred to the attorney general and
state superintendent of education
for solution. These two gentlemen
not having rendered report, the
chairman of the committee, @. w.
Prim. wrote the Raleigh authorities
the latter part Of last week that un-
less a decision was rendered with
in ten days circulars of protest
would be scattered broadcast. A
member of the committee, O. F.
Lewis, being asked what objection
the orders had to Lem Leong, said
there were three: Cd He is not an
American; CD he is of an inferior
race; 90 he is on the same plane
as the colored man. "Forthese rea-
sons" said Mr.. Lewis, I'VE do not
want our children to associate with
him.
Some think the most favored ma
ton clause admits Lem Leong along
with the French, German, Irish and
Jew, especially since he has his
naturalization papers in proper
shape. He is most exemplary STU
dent, exceptionally well-oehaved,
clean, rather a good-looking boy, and
when he first eotered school several
of the primary teachers were ex.
tremely kanxious to have him in
their room.
1t is thought the attorney general
will reach a decision some time
next week, the delay perhaps being
due to the fact that no instance of
this kind has before occurred in
North Carolina.
Meanwhile Lem Leong has about
finished memonzing the third and is
we'll on toward the fourth, and
what is done must be done quickly
else Lem Leong will soon be ready
! for his diploma.
There's no further doubt about the
big exposition building, to be erect
ed here at once, for the plans are
/ being made. 7. F. Wrenn and 9th
i o,, of @h;o oitx; x.,i1l pocifiuolxy hove