The Denver star., 1914-06-06
PROGRESS AT
WHEREFORE
Good Work Of an Ohio Instl-
tuition Noted.
.ExERIS WIDE INFLUENCE.

&nAsbeS "bOS sUs SVSUuV 10
Brief Account Of the Growth Of One Of
the Leading Universities In the
Country For the Higher Education Of
Afro ro-Amsrieans-Lsad Of Pre-.
idsnt Scarborough.
Wilberforce. O.-The public hears SO
much about Negro illiteracy in Ameri,
ca that few realize what reE:arka ole
progress the race has made, especiai-
ly during the past score Of years.
When we contemplate the past condi
ton of the Afro-American and consid
er the blighting effects mentally and
morally Of 25O years Of servitude.
when we remember that slaves were
treated as animals and deprived Of all
educational opportunities and that in
most southern states 1t was crime
to teach Negro his letters, and when
also we recall that even in the north
they were excluded from the public
schools, it is truly remarkable the
progress the race has made since lib
Grated.
Considering the fact that the civil
war freed 100000 Negroes who were
absolutely illiterate and perfectly des-
titute, the story of their educational
progress since is in many respects the
most marvellous chapter In the history
NJ Amarican civilization
Public schools were established in
Ohio in 1921 largely through the ef-
forts Of Ephraim Cutler Of Marietta.
but taxes were not compulsory and
were authorized for the purpose of
building schoolhouses and not to en-
ploy teachers. The school uniform tax
law was passed in 1928. In all these
early laws no mention was made Of
colored pupils. In fact, 1t was univer
sally understood that Negro children
had no right to enter public schools.
and this sentiment was crystallf1ed
into law In 1929. when blacks were
prohibited by statute from attending
public schools.
This remained a law for twenty
years. In 1s49 provision was made BY
law for the establishment Of Negro
public schools where twenty or more
kcolored children Of school age resided
but it was stipulated that no white
man should contribute BY taxation to
such colored school. Where there were
less than twenty they could attend .
white school-provided mo white man
objected" As some one usually OBJ
tected and as the Negroes paid but lit
tie taxes, the law proved Of small bene-
at. Some Improvements in the law
were made in 1853. but 1t was mot until
1887 that the obnoxious black laws
were repealed and Negro school pupils
were accorded equal rights with the
whites
Ohio has the honor Of having one Of
the leading universities in America for
the higher education Of the colored
race. 'Wilberforce university was e.
tablished before the civil war and b
not only one Of the greatest, but the
Oldest institution Of learning Of this
character in the country.
Th6 present president Of the institu.
ton, DR.. w. 8. Scarborough, II prob
ably the most learned colored man In
America. He was born In Georgia In
1854. He graduated from Oberlin col.
IeGe m 1875. He was elected head Of
tie classical department In Wilberforce
university In 1877. He has thus been
an Instructor in the university thirty
six years and president I'VE years. He
y the author Of Greek and Latin text
booas which are extensively used in
both colored and white schools.
me greatest impetus to the perma-
nent growth Of the university came IN
1851. when the legislature appropriated
ez,O0o to establish normal and indus
thai department. at Wilberforce. This
department II located on a tract Of
about three hundred acres owned BY
the state adjoining the nfty-two acres
originally purchased by the university.
The state owns the grounds and build
normal and industrial department the
governor appoints 6ve. Wifberforce uni-
vsgsity trustees select three. and the
president OF the univ erstty II ex ofncio
| he ninth member Of this board.
WiIberforce university u worthy Of
every assistance rendered BY the state
q private Individuals. There j. Z
pressing nsed Of several additional
buildings. including . sciencs building.
UmDasium and college chapel. A
Iafgs addition to the endowment would
| b q great boon. enabling the trustees
TO pay the Instructors bettsr salaries.
Whieh are now Surprisingly measer'
TAs dormitories will only aceomno-
date about 500 pupils. Tbsfs = need
| tof large increase. ~ the Attendance
Would soon reach 1000 II the uHivsf-