Evening journal., 1919-03-20
DR.. JASON DEFENDS
COLORID COLLEGE
Answers Criticisms Given
in Connection With
Bills Defeat
NEED ADDITIONAL
FARM, He ASSERTS
Ipecial TO The Evening Journal.

Special to The Evening Journal.
DOVER. Del. March 2O.--At a well
attended meeting OF colored citizens
held last even ng In Whatcoat VI. Z
Church, Dr. w C Jason, president OF
the State College Tor Colored Students
near Dover, addressed the meeting rel
stlve to the bll calling for an app. o.
pr.aiion OF $4,000 TO pay the balance
on a farm purchased by the Board OF
Trustees Of the State College some
months ageIwhich was defeated In the
Senate on Monday The defeat was
made possible by the votes OF eight
Republican Senators, while the five
Democratic Senators and three Repub-
lican Senator's voted DR. the bill. In
order that the colored people m ghl
know the situation. Dr.. Jason explain
cd Il 10 them. In part HIS address
was as follows:
"You are doubtless aware that a year
and q half ago the trustees Of the Col
ored College purchased a farm for S20,-
200 which doubled the area OF land
owned Dy The institution.
"a small payment was made on the
purchase and a mortgage given for the
balance. The State Legislature now In
session has been asked TO make an APP
propriation OF $4,000 TO clear Off this
debt. The b Il was introduced early in
the session. 10 has been discussed by
various members OF the General As
sembly In private conversation with
members OF the Board OF Trustees, and
no lntlmallon given that lt was not re-
garded as a meritorlous measure which
would be favorably considered. To our
surprise and dismay u was called up
for lnal passage 10 the Senate on Mon
Say OF this week and killed.
"rhe reason given In debate on the
noor are these:
a. That the trustees exceeded their
authority, having no right TO make The
purchase without permission from The
legislature.
% That the property would prob
ably deleriorate in value under our
management and become a reproach TO
the State.
80 That additional land is unnecss-
sary for the purposes OF the school.
IAN additional reason stated In pri-
vate conversation since the action Is
that several prominent colored men
have expressed the opinion that the
purchase was unwise and needless
uxpendt ture OF public money.
Another reason stated also In pri-
vate conversation was that the school
IS run by Democrats. IL was Republl-
ran votes that killed the bill
"These statements are made by men
who have every reason 10 feel kindly
toward the colored people. ! believe
tn>y do so feel and will patiently hear
what be said. No Information OF mis-
!. Information as TO material facts and
'sss7, ~, many other subjects In hand re-
tjuirine careftil- consideration to permit
mich attention to this natter may -sc-I
count Tor. the attitude Of conscientious
men who are unwilling to appropriate
pubiic funds without good and suffi-
Gent reason.
"Taklng up these points in reverse
order. ] would say. flrst. that ] am
Republican. In twenty years ! have
twice exercised my right as a free man
10 vote for Democrats who were can
ildates for office have never VOTED
a Democratic ticket Practically all
Negroes are faithful and loyal Republl-
cans. Notwithstanding this well known
fact. Democrats OF high standing have
been willing from the founding OF the
school 10 serve without nay on the
Board Of Trustees and give OF their
time and talents TO the aid OF that por-
ton OF the PEOPLE who are sol,dly po-
litical opponents The late Chief Jus
tice Lore. Dr.. d L. Mustard Ex-Gov-
ernor Tunnel, Mr.. Walter Morris are
some Of the h'gh-m'nded Delaware /
men who have sought 10 serve the
state IN this way. ] make no mention
OF those now serving on board The
law Incorporating the college requires
that not more than one-half the mem
bers OF the Board OF Trustees shall
be OF the same political party. In
making the appo ntments the govern
or OF the State has always selected
one Democrat and one Republican
from each county,
But politics has never before been
made an issue in our affairs. The pol
Icy has been. Is and shall be absolute
ly and positively non-part'son. Such
were my Instructions from the begin
ninS OF my term OF service and have
faithfully followed them The charge
that the school is msnsged by Demo-
crts Is false and gToundless.
ut is quite possible that there are
some colored men so lacking In vision
and so obsessed by interest in some
smaller thing which they think inn
periled by this action. II favorable,
hat they see no merit In the acquisi-
ion OF this property by the college.
"One object Of this meeting is to so
,resent the facts Of the case that If
,pen to conviction they may be con-
7inced that the action Of the trustees
IN making the request was proper and
wise.
"on general principles IL the school |