Year: 1876

There is much dissatisfaction felt among the
colored people of Washington at the action of
the board of school trustees in relation to the
adoption of a name for the new school build
ing for colored pupils, which is to be formally
dedicated on Monday next. The question
turns mainly on the question Of color, and
neither side seeks to detract from the merits
of the other. 1t is, however, true that the
great economist, "a who did not hesitate to
vote himself increased pay and the back-pay
steal, with it has done some things to make the
name sound less harmonious than it once did
when pronounced in connection with a self
sacrificing, devoted Christian lady teacher of
their children.


Trustee Brooks has given the public his
reasons why the name of Randall should be
adopted, and We now give the substance of the
majority report of the sub board recommend
ing the name of Ambush:


Mr.. Henry johnson, in support of the recon-
mendation of the sub-board of colored schools,
naming the neO school-building for colored
childlen in South Washington ambush"
stated that it was far from the intention of said
body to detract or alter anything that had been
said of Miss Randall. All honored and revered
her memory for the good rendered the youths
of despised race. He (the speaker) in some
respects had more opportunities of ascertain
ing the many good qualities possessed by that
lady, as teacher, than some of his colleagues.
He had served nearly five years as trustee
during her leadership. He conceded much
that was claimed for her by his eloquent friend
and colleague, (Mr. Brooks and stood by all
that he (Mr. Johnson) had uttered in her
favor. The building, like all that was mortal
of the lady, has passed away, and although to
mortal eye the spirit of Miss Randall has not
returned to assume the garb of second nature,
there has been erected, in place OF the old
structure, beautiful and commodious school
building The sub-board did not consider the
question of a change of name for they deemed
that unnecessary, holding that with a new
building there was no improperly in suggest
ing q new name, and that without casting re-
fection on the memory of any one.


He contended that had they been disposed
to consider it as change of name, the board
had established the precedent by changing the
name of q building named after one of Wash
ington's best and most useful citizens lex
Mayor Berrett) to Abbott. The reason as
signed for that action was that there were two
buildings named Berrett. He (the speaker)
would leave the explanation to others why the
most insignificant building was continued
Berrett and the more modern structure re-
christened. The other case he cited was the
new building in Georgetown, which was named
in honor of that ancient city, and subsequently
changed to "Curtis," as compliment to the
excellent presiding officer of this board, an
honor in the Judgment of the speaker worthily
bestowed. In reply as to what service had
Mr.. Ambush rendered the public schools, he
would state that he had devoted half century
of his life in endeavoring to raise the colored
people from the dead level of ignorance to the
living perpendicular of intelligence. He taught
black children TO read under the shadow of a
slave pen; with darkened windows and barred
doors, he taught them to repeat the Lords
This DriVacV m aia nv
the then existing prejudice against the black
race. He, together with the lamented John
F. Cook, the much-respected living Benjamin
Mccoy, Rev. James Reed and others, soidiied
the precepts of Christianity by the establish
ing of Sunday school union, the good effects
OF which are seen and felt throughout the
enl ire colored community of Washington.


He Or. Ambush) was also instrumental in
saving hundreds of young men from the vice
of intemperance by establishing and fostering
the cause of temperance in an organized form.
Mr.. johnson read copiously from the history
of the public schools of the District of Colum-
bia to sustain the claims of Mr.. Ambush to a
recognition of merit, and also read from the
minutes of the school board, showing that
upon the recommendation of the sub board OF
the county schools white teachers in charge
of colored schools had, on account of color,
been displaced and their places filled by col
ored teachers, and stated that while he had



could not see the great injustice of honoring
deserving colored men. He complained of
being compelled to accept all the olium at
tached to separate negro schools, negro teach
ers, negro trustees, negro superintendent,
funds set aside by law for maintaining negro
schools, and negro all through, except when
it comes to honor a negro; then We are re-
minded that the question of color should not
be raised.


The black people have attested their gen.
erous appreciation of their white friends in
naming the beautiful Sumner, Lincoln, Love
joy and Stevens after their special champions
but now when we ask at the hands of a BODY
composed largely of our white citizens boon
which will be gratefully received by the entire
colored people, and serve to prove TO the pres
ent and future generations that it is purity of
life ard honest merit that win recognition, re.
gardless of race, color or previous condition of
seryitude, we are told to wait until the next
building is erected which is go remote as to en-
title it to the name of " Centennial" Mr.. |
Ambush was not in his work sustained as was |
Miss Randall, by the presence of over 800, coo |
Union soldiers, with a sympathetic and edu- |
Gated North at his back. He had God to COM |
munc with in the secret recesses of his soul and
:. stout heart to nerve him for his wn-'- 49,
L., z. ~ .-a,
:1Jwing at what time he would be sacrificed
for teaching his own children the Lords
PRAYER,