Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-06-21
Anti-|ntegrdtion
Stand Adopted
In 4th District
Legislators to Seek
Other Legal Method
For Virginia Schools
BY the Assoeioied Press


PETERSBURG, Va, June 81.
"A resolution stating their "un.
alterable opposition to the prin-
ciple Of indignation Of the races
in the schools" has been adopted
by about 20 State legislators
from the nth congressional dis
trict.
The resolution, adopted by the
group here Saturday and re-
leased yesterday by State Sem
ator Garland Gray of Waverly.
further pledges Ito the people
of our district and to all the
citizens of Virginia our deter
mined purpose to evolve some
legal method to maintain
separate facilities for white and
Negro students in schools"
Other Meetings Planned.
The Waverly Senator said the
group empowered him as chair
man to talk to officials in other
congressional districts with the
idea of further meetings to pool
thoughts and ideas discussed at
the Petersburg session.
Included in the group which
met here were Representative
Abbitt and all but two of the 10
legislators from central Virginia
Senator Gray said.
The Waverly Senator said the
committee was unable to fOresee
any concrete solution to the pro-
blem created by the Supreme
Courts May II decision declar-
ing public school segregation by
race unconstitutional.
In addition to the legislators.
Senator Gray said about SO
guests" were present at the
meeting. These persons. he said,
agreed to call meetings in their
communities and select repre-
sentatives for any later meetings.
Text of Resolution.
The full resolution, as adopted.
reads:
Whereas. the recent decision
of the Supreme Court of the
United States relating to the
segregation of the races in our
public free schools. has caused
deep concern and much anxiety
among responsible members Of
both races. and:
Whereas, many OF, our citizens,
and particularly the school and
local officials and members Of
the General Assembly in the 4th
Congressional District, are much
disturbed by the implications and
ilnpracticalities connected with
the mixing of the races in our
public schools. and:
Whereas, it is our considered
opinion that the two races have
made and will continue to make
substantial progress under seq
regrated school system, and that
the physical facilities and teach
ing personnel for Negroes have
made significant gains in recent
years and during this time many
of our localities have incurred
a large bonded Indebtedness to
carry out this program, and:
Whereas it is our sincere
moral conviction that the best
interests of all concerned will be
best served by the continuance
of the present non-integrated
racial policy and that any non
segregated policy will lead to a
weaker and less effective school
system, and:
Whereas. it is imperative
that a school system be pre-
served and it is our desire to
find some workable solution and
an honorable way within the
framework of our State Consti-
tuition and existing laws or by
amendments which may be
necessary to preserve our present
arrangements in school facilities
for the two races, to the end
that the progress already COM
menced may be continued until
all of our children will have
the best school system that can
be provided:
Nov. therefore, be it re-
solved by the members of the
State Senate and House of Dele
gates to the General Assembly
of Virginia for the 4th Con-
greSSional District:
THAT for the reasons assigned
and many others. we desire to
have recorded our unalterable
opposition to the principle of
indignation Of the races in the
schools and that we hereby
pledge to the people of our dis
trict and to all the citizens Of
Virginia our determined purpose
to evolve some legal method
whereby political subdivisions Of
the State may continue to main
tain separate facilities for white
and Negro students in schools"