Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1915-03-19
AFRO-AMER|CAN CU[L|NCS

The New Jersey state board of edu-
cation decided that the Bordentown
Industrial School for Colored Youths
shall be made an Industrial institution
in fact and not merely a school for
the academic training of Negro resi-
dents OF the state.
Contemporaneously with this deci-
sion the board accepted the resigna-
tons of James NJ. Gregory, principal
OF the New Jersey school; Mrs. Greg
DRY, the matron. or preceptress, and
J. Francis Gregory, teacher of English.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gregory had been ASSOC
ciated with the school for Is years,
or practically since its inception Both
admitted that. although they had been
trained to teach academic branches
they did not feel equipped to care for
the needs OF a purely agricultural and
mechanical arts school.
Attempts TO choose successor to
Principal Gregory precipltated a
wrangle in the board and the matter
was laid over for a month. The COM
mittee on the Bordentown school rec
commended the selection OF William r.
Valentine. a Negro educator Of Indian.
apolis, who was graduated from Har-
yard IN 1904. He is nov a supervising
principal. having charge of number
Of schools. and for three years has
been yice-president of the National
Education Association for colored
Teachers
Former Senator Joseph s. Frellng-
huysen and John z. Murray thought
that mere than ono name should be
presented for consideration. lie also
advocated making the selection from
Tuskegee institute with a view OF
bringing the Boracntown school into
T, closer touch with Booker r. Washing.
ton aud his associate educators. The
committee vas disposed 10 resent the
comment OF the oblecting members as
reflection upon It's judgment.
The Bordentown school, as recently
brought to public attention. has been
m object OF serious criticism for It's
seeming failure 10 accomplish the aims
for which 4, was established. In short
the Industrial features. including agri-
culture and the mechanical aris. we're
/ sahordinated 10 the teaching OF acad.
cmlc subjects
The situation "a 10 be exactly re-
versed. according 20 the plans for the
future outlined b. the state board.
Never TO have had instruction In
4 - rsaf ~h - a4F4f
enough 10 have a picture hung at
the Charcoal clubs exhibit In the
Peabody institute a, Baltimore. IL the
fortune OF Ernest Atkinson, = Negro
| porter. 1T must be natural instinct.
said Atkinson. for ] never had any
| instruction and never saw an artist
work. just studied other paintings.
and what ! observed in other paint
lnEs applied to my own work"
Atkinson IL twenty eight years old
| and was born In Kingston. Jamaica.
| where he lived until eight years ago.
lie then took 10 the sea and II n 10
| his memory OF those years that en-
abied him 10 reproduce his present
work His work Is an ocean scene.
| showing the waves breaking against
the shore and two boats Ia the back.
ground. one beating against the wind
and the other running before IL.
His talent was first discovered by
Charles IL Webb. an instructor In
the Maryland institute, when he was
asked TO criticize one OF Atkinson's
paintings. Mr Webb was astoulshed
at the skill shown. and sugges ed that
IL be submitted 10 the Charcoal clubs
exhibition. It was submitted without
any name on Il, and was one OF the
So selected out of the 2f0 offered.