Arkansas State press., 1951-08-24
DOWN OUR WAY
by frances sampson

Negro Nomine For The School DoIar~ay School
district IS needed by september Such person could possibly
be elected in the coming school election The in the
district would then have Negro members would
well for this immediate attention of he
patrons and qualified electors district Last year
election in which two Negroes campagned for the
position the board gave for the within the memory
of residents Of the Negro Charlie Knott membership on
the school board The district populated Overwhelmingly
Negroes and 1t hoped that increased representation will bring
about improved facilities for Negro children in the school dis
trict Elsewhere in this newspaper will be
facilities for Negro children the Spngh school, maybe
this airing Of the school facilities just back the AM&N
college, and within the limits of the city of Pine
Bluff will relieve the load the shoulders of Professor P
Coleman who disturbed the distinction recently
corded the school facilities which he birth according
his own testimony There three schools the district for
Negro children Newtown Springhl Barners chapel All
poor examples of the Separate Equal theory the
law which would prefer to hold for while longer 1t
sad to note that the Jefferson county democratic
apparently has program which includes alerng the Negro
voters to the opportunities for representation in govern
ment Here opportunity where rebel might we'll con
eede the fairness of naming Negro school board and yet
hear not word from the political organization which holds
itself out of getting out the Negro vote appears
also that there about time for change of fashion
Negro leaders will sit idly such opportunity
pass by.
Two Well Known Business Men being mentioned by some
patrons of the district candidates. and both II good
repute and standing in the community A. L. Pennington North
businessman and farmer who lives nearby the
Sprngh school and the proposed site for school building
which will effect consolidation of the Newtown and Sprnghl
mentioned the Mr. remington
away and opportunity exists find out whether
he will candidate On the other hand Ivey Anderson
grocer and who lives in the vicinity of the Newown
school, membership the board would give
taton people the school district has
been approached but this writing dfnte information
available his candidacy Both good representatives
would bring longtime experience in business to the board
However, ought be must that Negro will become candi
date and that should elected The civic school, and church
groups in the community would do well to give this matter
thought time candidate and contact
the person that the effort might be success.
Bans Went To The Polls last Friday and reelected
all oficehoders Negroes had much to lose in quarters
had been otherwise However we are grateful OF the
fact progress which has been made under the present
will not receive setback the hands of newly
elected officers who promised little in the way Oh nephg
Negroes The quiet unsturbng leadership in the Jefferson
county political organization some serious questions a.
mong ID why there Negro candidates for member
ship the city council and % why no action taken TO BRING
about the fument of campaign promises as to the appoint
ment of Negro deputy sheriff. and CD why no political ACTIVITY
bring the appointment of Negroes to the ponce ana lire
department of the city of Pine Bluff
No Candidate For Alderman, that the groundwork
was laid last year when Negro minister Rev. NJ j. Troter
snglehandedy himself public acclaim and applause
but not enough votes for his effort to win seat on e Guy
council There unexplained quetness the part OF political
leaders on this Negro candidate offers some extend
cd interest in voting elections When Negroes participate
in elections it that the educational feature will in itself
help make way for democracy AT least Negroes would have
good believe that they were casting vote for cand
date for office would do all that he could for helping I'M
prove the lot members of his 1t must also be erne
In mind Negro membership the city council would at
least serve notice upon the council each sitting that there
some consideration the Negro In his hopeful desire
TO receive some Of the benefits OF government well as to
meet the obligations of his government Negroes st uld be
candidates public office only for the purpose of increasing
the interest in voting in public elections.
The Appointment OF Negro Deputy Sheriff would be an
asset TO the community and fine gesture Of famndeness
on the part the sheriff Such appointment ought be linked
with some immediate action to get Negroes appointed to the
police department Membership the shers force and the
police staff the city would help greater interest the
part of Negroes good citizenship These things should be done
as matter public interest and the general welfare and
trust that day far when such appointments
will be made.