Evening journal., 1922-09-12
NEGRO COLLEGE
HEAD RESIGNS

I
school. which was authorized by a
act OF the last Legislature.
DR.. Jason recently sent the fol
lowing letter on this subject TO tn
state Board OF Education. whicl
shows his disappointment because
of the high school not having beer
established:
To the President and Members o.
the state Board OF Education:
"Gentlemen;-I had hoped that
It would not be necessary TO cal
your attention TO the following, but
present conditions leave me nc
choice.
THE State Legislature at its last
session made provision for the es-
tablishment at the State College for
Colored Students, Of a standard
high school. Although this was not
mandatory II was evidently intend
ed by the Legislature and certainly
expected by the colored citizens that
this would be done without neces-
sary delay.
Il have been told repeatedly that
our work is practically of high
school grade. but that fact has never
been given official recognition. Our
Board of Trustees were ready to
make any changes required TO Sc
cure such recognition whenever ad-
vised as TO what those changes
should be. Nothing happened.
After waiting vainly for some
one else TO take the initiative I be-
gan in August OF last year to seek
for a man TO serve as principal of
the proposed high school. My best
efforts failed TO find one with the
necessary qualifications who could
be secured for the salary our board
could pay.
Considering the office OF princi-
pal. essential in such reorganization,
1 made application for a principals
certificate and was informed that to
secure such a certificate a special
examination was necessary. The ex-
was attempted and proved
unsatisfactory. Because OF advanced
age, or inadequate technical train
ing, or the numerous other duties
TO my position as president |
of the school, or for some other rea-
son, was not considered a proper |
person 10 be so honored.
MY next concern was to secure a |
aculty. After a year OF effort I am
Unable to present a full corps all of |
whom are satisfactory. For ex-
Imple: A teacher of household |
economy who has given excellent
ervice for several years cannot
iualify because not a college gradu-
ite and a Hampton graduate In
harge Of mechanic arts department
s disqualified for the same reason.
Both Of these We're secured in re-
ponse to a demand for efficiency in |
Iervice and have met expectations. /
With a greatly increased attend 1
lnce, our board of trustees would 1
EEL warranted in asking for a larger
appropriation on order TO pay the |
much larger salaries necessary to at /
ract specialists in these and other
ines OF instruction. The present en-
ollment does not Justify a great in
rease in expenditures.
The matter Of attendance IS the
lost important OF our cares. Solely
Or the benefit of the colored chill
rem OF the state does the State Col
'ge exist. 1t cannot function IL the
hildren and the school are not
rought together.
There is no high school south OF
to which colored chill
rem may go except the State Col
ge. Many OF the rural schools do :
OF offer subjects above the sixth
rade. All students OF high school
rade and many in grades seven and 7
ght, except those in or near the :
ity OF Wilmington, must look to-
ard this school for further study 0
r go without school advantages II
ley remain in the State.
That they might aveIl themselves O
the facilities here offered. aid in
he form OF transportation has been a
lven TO a few for two or three years p
ut last year the funds available for
his purpose failed when the wear u
Tas half over. Those unable to meet
he full cost OF boarding were COM
elled to create a debt or leave !
ehool. Some Of the special districts
aid for their colored students.
theirs paid nothing. ]
Il am receiving daily letters from, .
hildren in different sections OF tbe !
tate, stating that having completed
he work offered In their local school
hey would like to attend the State
ollege. and asking II there will be
ny help offered by the State. So far
have been unable TO gain any in
which would enable me
answer this question.
II Is an Illogical situation that
iildren should come under the pro-
sions OF a compulsory school law
Ith no schools available near their
Dmes and no means provided for =
aching the one school which they I.
uld use. !
1T is the axiom that anything !,
itch ought TO be. can be. II these !.
ndltions ought TO be changed, y
me way can be found to change a
EN-. :,
This briefly is the situation: The u
,dge of an equal opportunity to all =
ildren requires a high school for :.
3 colored children in lower Dela- ~
re. Such a school has been au- VI
Drized by law but IS as yet unor-
nized because "a There Is no
,ally qualified principal; (2) The
,ulty does not in all respects
set the requirements OF the State
partment OF Education: 90 No
ovision Is made for the attendance
pupils for whom the school is in -.
nded; (4) There seems TO be no az
% working on the problem who ", W.
IS both the will and the power 10 -
,ect a solution. tn
In the name Of the children WIN re