Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-12-22
(Allen's National News Bureau.)

(Allens National News Bureau.)
Prof. Jesse O. Thomas, who was
formerly financial agent Of Tuskegee
Institute, and who was pronounced by
the late Booker r. Washington as one
OF the most successful graduates that
school has ever turned out, and now
the principal Of the Voorhees, Normal
and Industrial School, at Denmark,
S. c., was In this city last week in
the interest of the school. He was
one of the ablest Of the young Ne
groes engaged in educational work,
and the rise that lie has had in this
field furnished a fine story of inspira-
ton for the youth Of the race. At
the age of thirty-three he Is the head
OF one OF the largest and most sue
cessful schools in the South, and
when lie was 81 years Of age he could
not read or write his name. He left
Tuskegee In 1911, one of the most
brilliant graduates Of the school, and
for five years he represented the
school In the North as ono of it's
Northern representatives. He was
elected to the principalship Of the
Voorhees, School in March, 1916, and
has already instituted several new
features that will enlarge the work
OF the school. He feels that the
school should extend its work along
community interest and one Of tho
features Of the school will be the con-
Quoting OF community classes that
Will Sorve to educate the men and
women of the rural districts He is
taking n close interest in the folk
music or the Negro and will make
the work OF the school noteworthy
In that direction. The large expert
ence he has had IN educational work
WIZ stand him In good stead at his
post, and 1t is safe that under Prof.
Thomas the school will become one
Of the most interesting educational
NtF, 4 Esslii3b sso& =, 49,.
The school to which lie has been
called Is one Of the largest aid best
known In the South 1t VIZ found.
ed by Elizabeth Wright, graduate
OF Taladega College, and tho school
was named in honor OF Mr. Voorhees,,
wealthy Northern man who gave
the first donation to the school. It
started with IA pupils, and teachers.
Today 1t owns property valued at
$4,000, owns IS buildings, has
faculty of 3G teachers and tho pres
ent enrolment is 1922. The teachers
are graduates Of the leading schools
throughout the South 1t will be the
aim Of Prof. Thomas to enlarge the
scope of the work and make 1t the
Tuskegee OF South Carolina. He told
your correspondent that he has in
mind several splendid features to in
troduce that will carry out his ideas
along this line. He is now making a
study of the educational status of the
Negro in the State with a view OF in
creas1ng It's work. He has long been
one OF the foremost men of the race
III educational work and Is n noted
figure in all Of the gatherings look
ing to the study Of the educational
life Of the Negro.
National Colored Teachers Associa-
ton, and has conducted summer nor
mai school for teachers of the South
ern States. The election of Prof.
Thomas to this post will meet the
general satisfaction of educators,
throughout the country. The new
principal is a young man with a fine
presence and is capable of inspiring
confidence
The late DR.. Washington, In speak
ing of his work, said: "He was the
most successful representative that
Tuskegee has ever sent out" He is
we'll known here and throughout the
North. The success that has come to
this young educator speaks volume
Tor his thrift and ambition. He was
born In Summit, Miss, and received
all of his education at Tuskegee.
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
STARTS DRIVE TO SAVE BUNDY
The National Association for the
Advancement Of Colored People opens
its drive to save DR.. Leroy Bundy
with large public meeting to be held
at the Salem M. e. Church, Sunday
afternoon. The meeting will be un-
der the auspices of the New York
branch Of the association and is to
be one Of the most important of the
big series Of meetings scheduled for
the association. Rev. r.. A. Cullen,
the pastor of the church, conceived
the idea Of holding the Negro Pro-
test parade last summer, and the
president Of the organization will
preside. The principal speaker will
be Hon. James w. Johnson, the ma
tional organizer Of the association,
who will tell what the organization
Is doing in It's fight to save DR.. Bun
dy, and the progress that has already
been in this direction Ever since
the East st. Louis riot, the associa-
ton has kept an eye on conditions
with special reference to DR.. Bundy,
as the result Of close investigation
they have been able to get to the bot
tom Of the affair DR.. w. p. B. Du-
bois, editor Of the Crisis, and one Of
the few brave, courageous men Of the
race, has written pointedly on the
East st. Louis horror. The meeting