Evening star., 1955-06-05
Continued From First Page

z Continued From First Pag'
operated on q nonsegregatet
basis"
In both Hanover and Princ'
Edward Counties the genera
feeling is that no one can sa.
now Just what will be done abou
the schools. The prevailing sen
timent in both counties Is tina
separate schools, must be main
tanned.
Public Looks to Richmond
The citizens Of the counties
are looking to Richmond fol
guidance. Particularly are they
looking to the Governors Study
Commission, which Is wrestling
with the problem.
Many believe that the f1rst
step will be the repeal by thG
General Assembly Of Virginia.
compulsory education law. Il
would leave imperative q sec.
ton of the State Constitution
which provides for education anc
public instruction. One section
also provides that white and col.
ored children shall not be taught
in the same schools.
The feeling In Prince Edward
County is more determined thar
in Hanover County. I
The larger proportion Of col
ored people in Prince Edward
than in Hanover probably &C
counts for this.
Negro Pupils Exceed White
Thomas ]. McIlwain, superin-
tendent Of the Prince Edward
County schools, said there are
1,40O white pupils and 1900 Ne
groes. The number Of colored
pupils is Sc per cent. On the
basis Of the 1850 census figure
the county population was 49,
$50. OF that number AS per
cent was colored.
Mr.. McIlwain SHE'D away
from discussing the school prob
lem. He explained that the
school board was party to one
of the cases decided by the Su-
preme Court last year and that
the case is thus still before the
District Court.
He listed the schools in the
county as follows: For whites
One high school, one small
combination school with grades
/ through IL, five elementary
schools. For Negroes-Fifteen
schools, including one high
school and IA elementary
schools. Five Of the elementary
schools are one-room schools.
Peoples Resolution Stated
In Farmville, Prince Edward
County seat, proposals for leas-
ing the school buildings to
organizations Of parents were
being discussed. But several per-
sons, somewhat reluctant to talk
openly, insisted that was "just
one Of the subjects under dis
cussion." It was not apparent
what. If any, steps might be
taken under such a setup to con-
tinue the schools for colored
children.
J. Barrye Wall, publisher of the
Farmville Herald and one of the
leaders Of the community, said,
I'VE are going to explore every
avenue" He was emphatic that
the people are resolute that
separate schools shall be main
tanned"
He and other leaders of the
community met Friday night.
Afterward he hinted at the ac-
tion taken yesterday, but said
only that there would be efforts
made to keep the white teach
ing. staff together"
Edward Carter, chairman of
the board of supervisors of
Prince Edward County, in an
nouncing the boards action said,
II believe that If we are left
to work this question of schools
out we will evolve a system that
will be acceptable to both races. Z"
Rates Less in Hanover
In Hanover County the 1850
population was 1885, and 81
per cent was colored. The school
enrolment includes 1913 white
pupils and 1,737 colored, or 81
per cent.
David B. Webb, school super
intendent, who said it was mad
visable to talk about school mat
ters but that he would give in
formation that was of record,
gave list of the county schools.
There are eight white high