Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-04-04
leave to submit the following re- port:

port:
 Whereas, there are reports of ir regularities and causes for com- plaint existing in the state institution of learning for negroes located ill Pine Bluff, Ark, and known as the branch normal college; and so flag rant have become these causes for complaint that the students of the said branch norlhal college did on the 22nd. day of March, 1915, refuse 10 rccite or go to their classes because one of the teachers, Prof. w. $. liar ris, was accused by one of the girl members of the freshman class, Ophelia Wade, of having grossly in suited her by making to her indecent proposals;
 And whereas, we are informed that verbal and material evidences of these improper proposals were pre- scented to committee of investlga- tion appointed by the state superin- tendent Of public instruction and the said committee after receiving these evidences as we'll as the partial ad- mission of indiscretion by the said Prof. Harris, did set it all at naught, regarding it as a matter without foundation and have made no report on the matter but rather have order ed the school to be opened on the 5th inst, with the same man as sup erintendent.
 "Therefore, be t resolved, that we, the ministers and citizens of Pine Bluff and of the state of Arkansas, do hereby pledge ourselves to the task of seeing to it that Our children are taught by teachers who will not seek to stultify our boys and make prostitutes of our girls.
 "Be it further resolved, that while we have every regard for constituted authority, but when constituted au- thority sets itself to task to aid, aDet or uphold wrong, 1t ceases to be worthy ot regard and sinks to the level of the despicable, and we pledge ourselves to publicly ane privately stand by and support the freshman class and the student body in their contention for the removal of the guilty party, and advise both them and their parents that they do not return to the school nor groun1s till that for which they contend is favorably heard.
 "Be it further resolved, that a cam paign of publicity be entered Into 10 inform the negro citizens in the re- motest hanllets and communities or the state concerning the degrading conditions existing in the branch normal college of the state of Arkan- sas, that they be dissuaded from sending their children to an instltu- ton of learning where manhood is despised and virtue betrayed.
 "Be it further resolved, that we look with pride and regard with due difference and honor the acton or Ophelia Wade, who refused to trade her honor for. a paltry present ana believes that it is better to die poor than to live in disgrace, and as mark of our esteem for her honor able stand and to prove to the girls of our race that we do. appreciate virtue, we put ourselves to task to raise a fund to pay for a scholarship for her in some reputable college.
 ''Be it further resolved, that We are grateful to our white friends for their encouragement to us in our contention, uprightness and justice, and pray that they continue to assist us in our struggle for a righteous ness that exalteth a nation.
 Respectfully submitted,
 P. w. DE LYI1ES, Secy.
 w. E. WATSON,
 H. l.. JORDAN,
 J. H. BLOUNT,
 VIM. WALKER,
 M F. STRONG, w. B.. BROWNLEE"