Evening journal., 1919-01-23
NEGROES Want
IN SCHOOL BOARD
Fear Five Member lBody
Would Exclude Race
from Representation
MINISTERIAL UNION
TAKES ACTION

The Colored INSTRUMENTATION
Ministerial Union has come out with a
plea for Negro representation in the
proposed new Board Of Education. The
Negro clergymen feel that with a school
board composed Of five members elect
ed at large, there would be no chance
OF the colored race securing representa-
tion. The presence OF a Negro In the
school board is an inspiration 10 boys
and girls Of that race to acquire learn
ing, the ministers feel. The ministe-
rial union today set forth It's views
on the subject In the following commu-
nication:
Editor OF The Evening Journal:
'Sir-Through you we wish 10 adj
dress the following communication TO
Mr.. Charles Warner. chairman, and the
other members Of the city committee
on public schools:
I'VE have read with great care aud
profound interest the account Of the
meeting OF your executive committee
and have been very pleased 20 note the
many splendid changes proposed In
your recommendations. We desire first
OF all TO express our gratitude 10 the
Board Of Education and its efficient
president, Mr.. Miller, whose interest
in Negro education has been conspic-
uously manifested IN actual tangible
deeds. We are also under many obl,-
cations 10 our own representative Or.
Conwell Banton, for his strenuous ef-
forts 10 reduce illiteracy among our
people. And may we say that Or. Ban
ton has the full confidence Of all Of our
people.
IN no smaller degree do we express
our gratitude TO Superintendent Scott
for his breadth Of vision and generos-
lty Of spirit in his efforts TO help all
Of the schools regardless Of race.
"And as 10 the city committee, GER
tainly we have absolutely no misgiv-
lngs. The personnel OF this committee
our highest type OF citizen
ship. And invariably when there has
been presented to any one Of them an
for public service the true
spirit Of altruism has been exhibited.
I'VE also desire to state that the
presence Of the Rev. Or. H. Y. Arnett
on the executive committee, and Mrs.
Stubbs and others on the gen.
eral committee has our hearty endorse
ment.
But because we believe you are anz-
ious and determined 10 do the very best
you can for all OF the schools, We beg
your serious consideration Of the fol-
lowing:
Il. The election Of directors from the
city at large would mean in all proba-
bility the elimination Of Negro repre-
sentation on the school board unless
special provision should be made for
the retention Of such representation.
"We believe you VIII agree with US.
that the truth Of this statement is quite
obvious. We therefore make no argl-
ment to establish the same.
q. To be deprived Of Negro repre-
sentation in our present system Of sep
arate schools would be a serious dis
advantage to our colored schools.
"In this connection we offer the fol-
owing reasons:
"(a) The presence Of a Negro in the
OF the board naturally calls
attention TO Negro education as the
presence Of no other man could.
I'VE do not wish to imply for a mo-
nent any lack Of interest on the part OF 4
lur white friends. But It was never /
heless true that the interests Of any
constituency are less likely to be over
ooked when the special representative
4 that constituency is present.
"6bl II the Negro IS to measure up
o the high standard OF citizenship set
~ the white man, he needs to have al
east equal supervision.
1T is not our purpose to indulge in