Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-02-21
DIR. BACCHUS OBJECTS.
901 Fifth Street,
Lynchburg, Va,
February 16, 1920.
Hon. John Mitchell, Jr., :


| Hon. John Mitchell, DR.,
Dear Sir.-A former resident of
Richmond and an ex-omployee of
OF your office wishes the privilege of
using little of the space In the
Planet to apprisc the residents Of
this city and the public generally of
the recent actions of the Superinten-
dent of Schools, &c. C. Glass (whitc)
| and the self educated Principal of
Payne School Miss Anna LcGrand
(white) a repetition Of former such
actions.
Miss Norma Clayton, very esti-
mable young lady, graduate Of the
would be Colored High School of
Lynchburg Va, Howard University
Academy and the Teachers College
or Howard University was elected by
| the Board Of Education to fill the wa
cancy caused by the resignation of
MRS. Alice Vasser and assumed her
duties ut the beginning Of the term
| III September 1919 and taught said
grade until she was forced on ac-
count of the need Of surgical oper
alton to give up the position to ell
ter the local hospital for treatment.
ficr grade work had been completed
ana her pupils were being reviewed
at tho time she was compelled to leave
Tor the hospital, SO 1t was necessary
that substitute be appointed to
take up the work for the remainder
or the term which was nearly com
pleted so Mrs. Mrs Ora Roberts,
graduate of the Danville High School
| similar to the would be High School
at Lynchburg and also a graduate or
iartshorn College was appointed
and served. Upon Miss Clayton's re.
turn to her former duties, she learn
ed that tho principal who has arbi-
| trarily caused the graduates OF repu.
table schools who showed efficiency to
either be removed or resign unless
thcy would yield or bend to tho tlcr
sonal whim OF the principal or knuci,ie
| as In ante bellum days to the tyran
meal methods Of the Superintendent
| whose greatest fame as an educator
lay In the fact that he was with the
| local school system from tho be-
ginning as he, too, is one of the self
taught ones.
The back stairs politics of the Prin
cipal who stated Miss Clayton's work
was efficient recommending to the
biased Superintendent non compar
able change, the frequent visits OF
the substitute to the Superintendent
| caused Miss Clayton to resign rather
than return and humble herself before
tho self educated principal who is
| glorified, surrounded by her hand
picked teachers who must knuckle or
bow as before stated to the whims Of
| the all powerful officials.
Colroed citizens know their relation
| ship to the educational system and
| seek as all taxpayers naturally would
| to question the acts of any of its
pubic servants white or black.
! Miss Clayton was rendered a double
school OF failed pupils, but consid-
ering that no charge Of incf1lciencv
| had been brought against her worn
declined to cept any other grade
| than that originally assigned to her.
| At this point l am furnishing the
| names OF a f:w Of the college gradu-
| &'es who tried the methods Of LAc
| system and gave up the work; Miss
Virgie Vassar. Howard College, Miss
Rosa Vassar, Cornell. Miss Davis,
Howard University; Miss Clayton,
! Howard University.
In this letter I am attempting to lay
| bare the facts relative to the tactics
| employed replace capably trained
teachers for those whose chief ability
! lay in pleasing the personal vanity OF
the aforementioned officials. I shall
| In my next letter give moro fully
the details OF this travesty on an
educational system for the colored res
idents Of this city. This Is an era in
| which the value of on education Is
thoroughly understood and one can
not be the recipient OF an education
II the persons are not manly and wo
manly In their vocation az teachers.
Puppets can properly serve.
In conclusion I am asking the Ques
ton "Why does Lynchburg lose her
colored college graduates as teachers
and advance those who are less train
ed?" Either the system Is wrong or
there is the necessity Of converting
| the self taught members Of the sys-
tenn.
Thanking you for your valuable
space.
Signed: !
To " nhHrIJITC