The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume], July 04, 1877, Image 1

About The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880

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THE NEW ORLEANS DAILY DEMOCRAT,
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANI.
VOL, II--NO. 19(1. NEW ORLEANS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1877. PRICE, FIVE CENTS.
CAPITAL NEWS.
THU RIO GRANDE TROUIbLES.
gen. 'revineo intrauted to Prevat the
United states Troopi from tressing
the Rio Grande.
WASHINOTON, July 8.-Instructions issued
to Geon. Trevino, commanding on the Rio
Grande, in connection with the orders issued
to Gen. Ord, authorizing him to follow Mexi
van marauders across the river, are positive.
Gen. Treviflo is instructed to resist such in
,asion, but the Mexican War Department
takes care to explain that such resistance
.could not he considered an act of war against
the United States. Trevino is Instructed to
eend a commissioner to Gen. Ord to explain
these views and to assure him of his willing
nees on the part of Mexicans of observing the
extradition treaty between the United States
and Mexico, but at the same time a doterml
nation to maintain all her rights under the
laws of nations. The order also states that
(on. Mats is fully emnpowercd to treat on
these subjects at Washingtomn.
The Ritght Hours' Labor Law.
(ovneial to the Dnmnerat.l
WAsInlrrroN, July 3.-. -Ti Secretary of the
Navy has issued a general order promul
gating the decision of the New Jersey Su
preme Court in regard i to the eight hours'
law, and says that under this construction of
law all the workmen employed by the depart
nmfnt electing to labor only eight hours per I
day will receive proportional reduction of
thoeir wages.
Publlc Lands.
[Heoonal to the Democrat.l,
WASHtrnOoN, July 3.--udge Humphreys,
of the Supreme Court of the DIstrict of (o
lumbla, decided that judicial authority can
not interfere wIth thn Executive Department
in adjudging lands in (!olorado to Col. Wm.
Craig.
Appolnn ments.
[H4nnoial to the Democrat.]
WAsnHtNOTroN, July 3. -'The President signed
the commisshon of Olis II. Russell, Collector
of Internal Revenue, Third Distrlit of Vir
ginia.
It has been decided to'appoilnt Frederick A.
Pratt as Collector of Customs of Newport,
R. I.
A New Call for lth Redemption of Ronds.
[Special to thi Democrat.]
WASRINorToN, July 3.-- The Treasury will
probably issue a call Thursday for the re
demption of ten millions of bonds on account
of the 4 per cents taken by the Syndicate.
The New Mexican Mlnleter.
Ldpoolal to the lemoorat.1
WAstRiroToN, July 3.--Gon. Mata, recently
appointed by Dlaz to represent Mexico at 1
Washington, has not had an interview with
Serestary Elvarts conceoriing his recognition
as Minister from the Dlaz (overnmtinlt
There la no Indication that he will be received
as such, or of any change of pollcy of the'
the Administration respecting either the Diaz 1
(jovernmont or instructions to Gen. Ord to
pursue marauders on American soil into Mex
oico.
The lepartment of Agriculture. I
WASHNGeTON, July 3.---(Cemmiislonr Le I
Due has taken possession of the Agricultural
Department. The cotton interests will be
glad to hear that.
Mr. Dodge, the statistician, continues in f
char~ of the statistical bureau of the (lepart- 1
The Speeches at Boaton. t
WAsHINoTow, July 3.---It Is claimed in high
circles that the speeches maden during the
President's visit to ioston were comnposed
with a view of excluding political or other
signiiicance.
DOMESTIC NEWS. t
slgnilicanle.
DOMESTIC NEWS.
Dexter Park Rarer.
ISpeclal to the Democrat.]
CiIOAOo, July $.--At the Dexter Park yes
terday, the first race in the 2:20 class was won
by Herod in 2:294-2 :33%-- 2:31. The soCotmd
race, rmunning, one and ono-elghth miles, for
all ages, was won by Lightning in I :rM. Ion
nie Bell's rider was thrown, dragged by (mne
foot in the stirrup, and kicked so severely In
the head that heo died in ten minutes. The
third raoe, three-quarters of a mile dash, for
two year olds, was won by Kate Claxton.
Blaine and RoUesmOl' Npeeche..
iDpeeial to the Dmncrat.l
TaEN'TON, N. J., July 3.- The public dinner
'given last evening t oGeorge M. Robeson, ex
Secretary of the Navy, was a grand affair.
Mr. Itobeon spoke principally hi lefonse of
his administration of the alvy. lie was not
dcandidato for office, he said. but he was a
party mall who believed in a party for polit
cal purposes.
Senator James (. Blaine, who was present,
defended Republicanism as natilonal, espe
elally as It was administered by (fen. (rant.
Protection of the rights of citizenship in
eyery State was its cardinal Meatures, and a
government that did not offer proteclion to
.every citizen in every Stat, had no right to
demand allegiance.
Nothing was said in reference t,) the present
Administration, except Iby implication.
Maintenance of the patty intait was strongly
urged.
tCen. Kilpatrick spoke of the army aind
dealt some hard blows as to its present con
dition.
It was long ate.r midnight I, ffore the nassnt
blage broke up.
Flmuaggling at New York.
[8pecial to the Democrat.]
NEW YolK, July 3.--Purser Oliver, of the
steamship England. and a dock clerk named
Edgar P. Andrews have been arrested for
complicity in smuggling silks and laces.
From books and papers in the possession of
the authorities it is estimated that in the last
eight years goods of the value of a million
dollars have been brought to this country
from England without paying duty. Mr.
Graff, general dock superintendent of the Na
tional Line, and Thomas Grey, cooper on the
dock, were arrested for complicity in this
smuggling.
Iaveatigatlng Senator Grover.
(Special to the Democrat]
San FRAwCisco, July 3.-A commission to
'isvestigate the charges against Senator
Irover, of Oregon, of using money for the
purpose of securing his election to the ion
ste, met yesterday at Portland. Prepara
ions seem to indicate a searching inquiry.
Dead.
[Bpecial to the Democrat.]
BAtTMOREZ, July 8.--Prof. Nathan H.
Smith, a distinguished surgeon aid writer
!or the medical journals of the country, died
lhis morning.
Dexter Park Rares.
C(IU Aoo, July 2.--First Race.--Dexter Park
Races, one-eighth of a mile; Lightning won,
kdventure second. Time 1:54.
The rider of Bonnie Bell was thrown and
killed.
FOREIGN NEWi'.
Utladstone's Letter.
[3poclal t ithe Demoorat.l
LoSDoN, July 4.-,-Mr. Glaldstono has wrlt
an a letter in reply to the address from the
Baptist Churches in Worcestershire, denying
bny analogy between the circumstances of the
iresent time and those of 1870. He states that
fa vote of money is now demanded, it must
ind ts justification otherwise than by the
recedeint of 1870.
The Pope's Illtness.
ISpecial to the D"moorat.l
RoMp, July 8.--The Pope was so Ill yester
lay that many bishops, who were about to
eave Rome, postponed their departure.
The Hand that Wields the Pword.
I(4Heeial to the Demoerat.i
PARTS, July 8.--The 1hys,. referring to
President MarMahon's order of the day to
he troops who participated in the review
Sunday, says: "At last we feel that we are
°uled by a hand that wields a sword. The cihef
Af the army has appealed to bayonets, andi
il must now return to their duty."
rho English Workingmen Wait on Irant.
(Seniial to the Democrat.)
LONDON, July 8. A deputation of forty
iaen, each representing a different trade and
-epresenting altogether about a million Eng
ish workingmen, waited on ex-President
Irant at Consul General Badeau's house to
lay and presented him an address of welcotom
,o England.
A Prench Factery Burned.
[Hpeclal to the Demorat.l
LONDON, July 3.-Lloyd's spinning and
weaving factory, at IRoten, France, burned,
;hrowlng 253 employes out of work.
The Clerieallsts and Ionnapartists.
PAnts, July 3.--Clerical and Bonapartist
atpers are delighted with President MacMa
ion's order, issued on the occasion of the re
tew in the Bois de Bologne. It has cau sed a
inmnndnm ann.nt.itln
ILU[UUUSO WeluUHLU.ll
***--~~l-----
WAR NOTES.
ABOUNRD HARM.
Iloody F.ight'ng Endlnr In the Defeat of
the Runanans.
tfperial to the Democrat.]
NEw YORx, July 3.--Dispatches from Erze
roum, dated Sunday, say that the siege of
Kars was raised that day, and the Russian
forces are now retroating toward the frontier.
The sortie from Kars on Hunday in repro
sented as one of the most bloody and des
perato struggles of the war. The Turks
fought with great gallntry, and the damage
they inflicted was immense.
In the battle of Meervin, which also took
place Sunday, the S~usslan loss was about
four thousand. The Turks are greatly olated
over their success, and represent that the
Russians are in a state of utter demoraliza
tion.
Royal Commander.
IHpecial to the Democrat.]
SIMNITZA, Juno 3E)- -The Czar, with his staff,
is expected In a few days to draw near Guier
give for the purpose of pursuing the reduc
tion of Rustchuk. (Gen. Skabeloff's division
of Cossacks is to be broken up in detachments
and respectively entrusted to the Czarowitch,
Prince Eugene of Leucht.nlesrg and probably
the Archduke Nicholas, the younger.
Killing Women and Chlldlren.
HSpoecal to thn DI)nncrat.)
LONDON, July 3.-A special from Sllunla
says it is estimated I hat 200 women and chil
dren have isen already killed Iy the bom
bardment of Rustchuk.
The Englh Medtllerranean Fleet.
[Hpeoial to tile Dmocrat.]
LONDON, July 3. -Concerning the sending
of the fleet to Besika Bay the supporters of
the governnRTnt say that the Mediterranean
fleet is for representation and protectiqn of
British interests,and that it is now properly
stationoed where its presence is most noteedl.
Persons who doubt the pacific declaration of
the Government argue from this movement
that it is its Intention to keop the ]ussians
out of Constantinople.
Another CrosMlng of the Danube.
[Special to the Democrat.]
LONDON, July 3 -Great activity Is notice
able all along the Danube, anld another cross
ing is in preparation near Balari, below 1
Rustchuk.
A Flood in spain.
[Spcital to the Democrat .]
MADRID, July 3.- An inundation in the
province of Muria has seriously damaged I
tihe railways. Twenty-two personis were I
drowned.
Conspirators Againlat tile Gavernment. I
IMsacial to the Democrat.])
PARIs, July 3.-Senor Serilla and other t
Spaniards implicatexl in the plot against the
Spanish and French governments will be ex
pelled from France. t
The British Fleet. t
[Special to the Demnorat] t
CONSTANTINOPLE, June 3.-The British fleet t
arrived in Besika Bay. A rumor that it will
come to Constantinople is erroneous.
The Russian Position in Bulgaria,
[S8eci d1 to the Demo-rat.l]
LoNDON, July 3.-Telegrams from Simnitza C
and Bucharest remark upon the dilatory tae- j
ice of the Russians since they crossed the v
Danube. The position they occupy is for
tunately admissible for defense, and the time
allowed by the Turks has enabled them to
bring up men and guns enough to defend it.
No MPiInlelaneC .
iLONDIpN, July 3. --The YtanMdard, in a lead
ing article, announces that the government
has ordered the fleet which left Rhalskum
Bay to proceedl immedliately to Befika Bay,
and adds that no sinister significanee need he
attached to this nmeasure, which is merely
one of ordinary precaution.
Gone to shumla.
LoNnoon, July 3. A Roluter telegram from
Constantinople says: Rledif P'asha, Minister
of War, started for M4humla to-day.
Servia Will Declare fie Independence.
L(ODo)N *July 8.-- The tH/tndard's Vinnna
dispatch states that the Hurvian Skouptchina
held sMveral secret sittings. The' peace party
still has the up per hand.
The Timen' I elgrarol dispatch says: The
Hkourpt(hina wIll deiare thi Indoepndence of
Horvia.
The Rauestan. Prenmilng Forward.
LONDnoN, July 3.-Thel latest rhporst indli
cate that only the (lossack -advance had
reached Tlrnova, nnd that the Czar himsielf
would move nearer to the front for the pur
pose of pushilng the reduction of Rustchuk.
The RussIlans are prnssing on beyond Tir
nova towar(i the Balkans.
Governor of Dulgarla.
ILONDON, July 3.--1'rince Tcherkoski has I
booeen proi.lal nied provisional Governor of the
province of Ihulgaria, armi elections ordered.
IgEngland and Austria.
naTs.. July 3.-.A general understanding
has been arrived at between England and
Austria with regard to certain eventualities.
*MONEH AND STOCKS.
[(oeelal to the Democrat.]
NEw Yonx, July 3.--Gold 105,11. U. S. 6's
of 1441, 111 ; do coupons, l11'?1123d; 5-20's
of1865, new Issue, 11a(@i10o6'; do. of 1807,
100/ @109%,; do. 1868, coupons, 112; 10-40's
lI2r~; de. coupons, 113; cutrrency O's 123;
now 5's 111h ,
LoNDoN, July 3.--Consols for money
94 6-10; U. H. 5-20's -of 1865, 1053; do. of 1867,
1060; 10-40's 1ib9; new fives 108%; Erie 6O.
DO8IFTIC MARKETS.
(HSeclal to the I)omoorat.]
COIINNATIl, July 3.--Flour steady. Wheat
'easier - white $1 80@1 90. Corn steady,
5lr(@52. Oats steady, 40445. Whisky steady,
$1 05. 1'rovislons uient, nominally un- I
changed.
Mr. Letors, July 3.- Flour unchanged.
Wheat quiet; No. 2 red fall $1 77 hid cash,
No. 3 do $1 70 cash, $1 35 July $1 20/ý1 21'-4 1
Ahkgust. Corn higher; 45t'@i46 cash 45@6(
4 now half July, now half Jul 45%qc415- now half Au
gust. Oats dull; 3 bid. Whisky steady I
$1 0t4%. Pork quiet; job lots $13 25 cash, half I
Heptkmber. Bulk mncats dull; 4/ bid for i
sho ulders, 6.'% id for clear rib. Baron and 1
lard unchanged.
RIVER NEWS.
IBpe'ial to the )emoerat.]
M.a'lts, July .--The Golden Rule, for
Cincinnati, passed up thils afternoon with
91)0 tons freight.
.- i j _ )
Il .IVILLE 'PARItU,
Railroad and School Matters.
PLAQUEMINU, June 30,1877.
Editor Democrat-The weather has
been very warm here of late and too
dry. The crops are good but backward,
and need rains every week now.
I am glad to see that our esteemed
log part in our Pacific Railroad move
fellow-citizen, Edward J. Gay, Sr., is tak
ment. We need this road. It can and
should be built by our people, and it is
honed the good work will not lag.
It would seem "Prominent Republi
cans" are much concerned about the
management of the public schools just
now. We wonder it Parson Newman
or Jim Blaine suggested the idea of the
recent call on Gov. 'Nicholls in relation
to this matter.
It is a pity these wisdom-struck sages
did not concern themselves a little
more seriously about the management
of these schools when the party "of
great moral ideas" had it all to them
selves. This party has spent a mint
of money in its so-called management
of the public schools, and has left
nearly if not every school board in the
State involved in debt, with little or
nothing to show for the money spent,
The school board of this parish finds
itself confronted with bills made by its
predecessors amounting to over $5000
and so pretty ufch with every board
front which we have heard.
PELICAN.
.... --.k @s-- ---
RADICAL RASCALS.
Unearthlng a Pestilent Brood in South
Carolina.
[Cinolnatl Enoqiifrr.]
COLUMBnIA, S. C., June 29.-Carpenter
the ex-Internal Revenue Collector, had
a hearing to-day. In addition to the
two charges of forgery brought against
him several days ago for $1200, two
more for forgery and altering the figures
of pay certificates for public printing
were brought against him to-day. The
two latter charges involve over $3000.
He had a preliminary hearing, and was
defended by Judge Milton, Cham
berlain's former law partner. The
examining justice sent him of to the
criminal term of the Court of General
Sessions, which meets next week, and
bailed him in the sum of $5000. One of
the witnesses, whom the law required to
sign the certificates, declared under
oath to-day that he opposed signing the
certificates, but was instructed by
Chamberlain, then Attorney Generel of
the State. who afterwards became fa
mous as Governor of South Carolina, to
sign the certificates.
A perfect panic exists among the old
rats of the party, all of whom will be
implicated in one species or another of
villainy before the committee get
through. Thompson, the former editor
of the Union.Ilerald, Chamberlain's or
gan-a paper owned almost entirely by
the ex-Governor-was summoned before
the committee to-day. His record in
the Freedmen's Bank business is not
the best, and it is thought that the fig
ures will tell yet roughly on him before
the work of the committee is over.
Cow PzAs.-Messrs. A. A. Greenwood & Co.
advertise in another c lumn a reduction in the
prie of their large stock of mixed and whippoor
will peas. They offer to sell now at $2 per bush-.L
'his i.,w price wdll no doubt enable many to pro
cure this most valuable vegetable fertilizr.
mhere are many farms that are positively value- i
less now that mighe be restored to their former
raloe by a proper ruse of the pi via..
TIHE SCHOOL BOARD.
PUBlIC $CHOOLt TO RN SEYPARATEDE
AS TO RACIE.
Rut the High erhoele Are Not to be
Abellehed.
The School Board met last evening in the
Councll Chamber. Present-I-on. T. J. Semmes,
lseeinger, Bartley, Mitohell, Seaman, Craig,
Rogers, Swarbrick, Fayerweather, Tourne,
iutheim, Collins, Handy, Martinet and Oapde
vile.
The reports of committees were first called for.
The Committee on Finanoe reported, through
its chairman, that the rolls for July and August
for rent should be paid.
He also reported a resolution to pay fifty per
cent of the roll for August, 1875.
The resolution was carried.
For September, 1878, he reported that there
was noe on hoad an aenuioit fitgeient to pay
about 50 per centum, but, inomuomu as funds
would probably be coming in, he thought it beest
to walt until next meeting.
The Committee on Furniture and Supplies re
ported a resolution asking leave to purchase cer
tain furniture for the MoDonogh No. 7 School.
which resolution was to be laid over until the
next meeting and to advertise for proposals.
Adopted.
Mr. Craig stated that the furniture in Franklin
School was in a deplorable condition.
The same committee offered a resolution an
thorialng them to advertise for proposals for fur
nishing three thousand barrels of coal. Adopted.
Mr. Mitchell reported on behalf of the Com
mittee on Normal and High Schools, a recom
mendation relative to the propriety of admitting
certain pupils 1ho had not filled their full time
for diplomas, after an examination, which was
adopted.
A number of petitions were read and referred
to appropriate committees.
The following petition, numerously signed.
was then presented by Mr. Martinet:
To the Hoqproble the Members of the Board of
School Directors of the city of 'iew Orleans:
Gentlemen-Your memorialists and petitioneis
represent a large class of your fellow-citizens
and constituents, to whose iotereste, in you'
official capacity, you are assumed to have regard.
At a called meeting of your board, held on the
night of the 21d oltimo, at your usnual place of
sssemblage--tbe City Hail-M-r. Archibald
Mitchell, chairman of a specidl committee, pre
sented a report in which at is stated:
"Personal observation and universal testimony
concur to establish the feot that public ednoation
has greatly deteriorated since colored and white
children were admitted indlscriminately into the
same schools. It is not the province of this com
mittee to investigate the cause which prevents
the different races from receiving all the advanr
tages of a public education under those circam
stances, nor is It for ns to say whether the objec.
tion to daily social intercourse in our schools,
which exist between the races, is a prejudice or
an instinct, but we recognize the fact, end that
it has to a very considerable extent impaired the
efioiency of our public schools, which it is the
primary duty of this board to promote.
The evils which have arisen from the ill-ad
vised action of our predecessors in forcing the
chiddren of both races into the same schools are
threefold.
1. From many of the schools the turbulent
spirit of the white boys has partially and in some
cases entirely exoluded colored children, and of
oourse from all the benefits of publie edqoation.
2. A large number of the children-of that clals
which is most benefitted by public education
have been pratcidally excluded from its advan
tages, in oonsequeno, of the repugnance on the
part of their parents to permit their children to
mingle socially with another race.
8. The greatest drawback upon the efficiency
of those of our public sohools in which the two
isoes are mingled arises from the Impossibility
of maintaining discipline without exercising a
degree of severity that would destroy or greatly
impair their utility. Good discipline, manifested
by subordination, obedience and good order,
your o 'mmittee regard as absolutely essential to
the effiraoy of any system of education, but dis
cipline must be maintained without severity, else
order is pusohseed at too high a price. With
undue severity school becomes a hateful prison,
and study repulsive from aseeooition. Proper
discipline can only be maintained by a wise and
kind firmness.
Thb constant antagonism exhibited in quar
rsal. biocerings and disenrsinna h atwaan annh..
rsle, bickeringe and disensione between pupils
t of the different races, both inside and outside of
t the schools, that-ostracism, attended with hu·
i miliation-whloh one race inflicts upon the other,
- and which cannot be remedied by the best of
t teachers, convince your committee that the ednu
t cation of both races would be greatly promoted
t by conducting it in separate schools.
We recommend this course with less reluotance
as we are assured that at least nine-tenths of
r both races warmly approve it. Your committee,
therefore, unhesi atingly recommend separate
Sqobhools for the two races, in which each shall re
oeiv: precisely the same opportunitides of obtain.
uing an equal education." a
Besides the foregolng reasons which your com
mittee deem ample to warrant them in recoun
mending that white and colored children be edu
o ,ted apirt from each other, they are confirmed
in their belhefof the wise policy of this plan by
the esamples of the great cities of New York,
Philadelphia and Oincinnati-whose school re
ports are before us-in which It appears that
I separate schools for the two races form a part of
their system of public educaotion.
Your committee in dismissing this subject
would remark, that if feelings exist whibh im
properly alienate the two races, reasoning as
well as all historical evidence hbve clearly proven
that laws or coercive force of any kind, instead of
eradicating them, will on the contrary, strength
en and perpetuate sentiments. which if not be
founded on reason, would gradually fade away
and be forgotten.
In r 1erence to this recommendation of your
committee and the proposed action of your board,
your petitioners, as coequal citizens, against
I whose rights and whose privileges your board
conlemplates a grave wrong and palpable injns
tice, submit that the arguments used in the fore.
going excerpt of your report are based on an
entire obliviousness of the laws creating the
public echoot system in Louisiana and a disre
gard of a solemn oath of office.
The fourteenth amendment of the constitution
,of the United States declares that "Atl persons
born or naturalized in the United States, and sub
ject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the
United States, and of the State wherein they re
side. No State shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or immunit~es
of citiz.ns of the United States," etc. Article
two of the cdnstitution of Louisiana deolires
that "All persons, without regard to race, color
or previona condition, born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, and residents of thls State for one year,
are citizens of this State. * * * They
shall enjoy the same civil, political and public
rights and privileges, and be subject to the same
paine and penalties." Would the board be will.
ing to make the pains and penalties different, or
make a distinction in the obligations of colored
citizens to the government ?
Would it be wtlling to reduce the apportion
ment of the State'. representation in Congress
and in the Electoral Cotlege, becaute of the im
plied "abnormal political status" of newly made
citizens?
Article 135 of the constitution of Louisiana
declares that "The General Assembly shalt es
tablish at least one free public school in every
parish throughout the State, and shall provide
for tse support by taxation or otherwise. Ail
children between the ages of six and twenty-one
shall be admitted to the public schools, or other
institutions of learning sstsained or established
by the State, in common, without distinction of
rare, C:1: or prviou condi.ios. There shall be
no separate schools or testitutLons of learnon
established exelhsively for any race by the. Statt
of Louislans."
All the publio schools here are established bI
the State of Louleianas-.Th Legelatlie souald
not establith separate schools or institutions of
learning exclusively for any race, and can it be
possible for a school board to do it? Can the
legislative creature become more potent than th
power which creates its creator, the Legislal
ture?
But again, we extract from the constitution:
"No municlpal corporation shall make any rule
or regulations contrary to the spirit and Inten
tina of artiole 185," jst quoted. (See arti'ce 186
of the constitution.)
Your board concedes that appropriation hab
been made for the support of the schools your
committee would separate on account of race and
color, and It therefore admits that they are the
public sohools contemplated and provided for in
ard by artloles 185 and 186 of the State Sonsiitn
lion. Article 140 of the constitution of Louisiane
provides that "No appropriation shall be made
by the General Assembly for the support of any
school or any private institution of learning what
ever. Now, if the shobools your report trests of are
publIo, yourkbord is power leito separate idp am
on oootint of race or cdlo, whltevet may
be the consequenoe to public education
as set forth in your committee's report; and ii
they be private schools, the board cannot use the
school fund for their iupport. Boch are the con
sti utional requirements. The He cool Beard is the
offspring, if it be legitimate, qf the onstitu'lon,
and it cannot, if it woul, abnegate Ps duties
under the authority of that itrtrument. It swears
to support it. Here is the oath. Let every hon
est citizen read it, and see If it leaves room in
the conscience of any officer who takes and sub
scribes it, for a distinctioo of races on any ao
count, whether it be the "deterioration of public
edttcation," or other pretext or consideration.
Every member of your board, and officer of
this State government, has taken this oath pre
soribed by article 99 of the state constitetion: "I
do selemoly (or affirm) that I aoocpt the civil and
political equality of all men, and agree not to at
tempt to deprive any person or persons, on sc
count of race, color or previous condition, of any
politioal or civil right, privilege or immunity, en
joyed by any other class of men That I will
supoort the constitution and laws of the United
sLates, and the constitution and laws of this
state; and that I will faithfully and impartially
discharge and perform all the duties ineumbent
on me as -- , asdording to the best of
my ability or understanding. to help me God."
Constitutionslly,.then, whatever sentiment may
dictate or zeal influence your board, you will
readily perceive that your contemplatel action
will be [p violation of law. Sentiments as to the
effeot of the common school system now in vogue
sad in duration in our State for the past nine
years are not, gentlemen, with due respect both
for your duties as school directors and your poet.
tion as publio servants, what either the law or
constitution exact of you in your official oats.
Whether all that you urge in plea of your
proposed step be in any sense correct, we, your
petitioners, will not now discuss. Our duty, both
as your fellow-citizens and constituent, antd of
the class against whom you have been at pains
to express this wrongful inmeat, is, flrmty and re
spectfully, in the full dignity of American oitl
ens, to protest; and in the name and behalf of
that unity and exalted purpose which should in
spire all good citizens, we invite your considera
tion.
Dr. Fayerweather, after the redling of the
resolution, said:
Mr. 'resident-I regret exceedingly that so
seri ns a subject has arisen at this time for our
consideration and discussion. On the eve of a
general election of teachers, and having worked
harmoniounly and trustingly together, with a
unity of purpose, with interests in ommon, and
those interests the advancement of ednoational
work for the general good, it seems a pity that
we should be abruptly brought to meet this
vexed question. The esurprise that aw·dted Us at
the last nleerite in th4e High aschool Oonmlt-.
tee's report," instead of abating, has rather inten
siLfd, as we have become more acquainted with
its nature.
When, at the solicitation of an earnest and
Influential number of gentlemen, I consented to
become a member of this board, it was after ma
tore reflection and with a full knowledge of its
duties and responsibilities. The assurances and
pledges of our worthy Governor, oft reiterated,
had left me nothing to fear regarding the rights
of our race. The oath of office administered
and taken in good faith, was omncfnsive evidence c
to me that we were actuat d by the best of mo
tives, and a logioal deduction necessarily re- r
suited, viz: That colored men, having been cor
dially extended an invitatin to become members
of this board, and no disposition manifested
thus far to set them aside or treat them other
than as equals, what reason had we to suppose t
that the children were better than their parents? a
Now, gentlemen, we solemnly swore to accept
the civil and political equality of all men, and (
agreed not to attempt to deprive any person or
persons of their rights, and to support the con- 1
stltution and laws of the State as they are, not as
we desired them to be, so help us God.
Article 185 of the oonstitution reads: All chil
dren of the $tate, between certain ages, shall be r
admitted to the public schools or otner inetitu- d
lions of learning, in oommm. There shall be no t
separate schools or institutions of learning es
tablished exclusively for any race by the State of 1
Louisiana. b
With this light before us, are we expected to t
forswear or stultify ourselves? Can we admit
by any action of ours, and without a sacrifie of o
self-respect and manhood, that we are not all e
peers ? That the report is able and great ability
expressed therein, we would not deny; but are r
forced to say, unhesitatingly, that on the eve of I
a sleep of security,'so far as the thoughts of our
rights being jeopardized were concerned, the too
sin of alarm has been souded, and we cannot di- h
vest ourselves of the belief that the aim at the t
high schools is a fatal blow to us, for we are c
slow to believe that New Orleans, the
Queen City of the South, with its magnitude and,
numbers, its wealth and intelligence, i, willing p
to proclaim to the world ltsinability to retaln and
sustain three high schools; that in this enlight- c'
ened and prvg, essive age, when the public-cpir
ited citizenb in every community, North, East I
and West, are bending every energy to perfect p
their systems of education, and are pointing
with heartfelt pride and interest to their architee- a
tural structures of learning, we tarry even on the is
threshold. Knowledge is power; the possession
of it makes the man, the want of it the felow. ci
In the ''report" mention is made of cities that a
maintain separate schools. I venture to say that tl
their consttntions read different from ours, tl
and would state that I attended schools f<
both in Connecticut and Rhode Islalnd, and ex.
perienced no difficulty on account of complexion. eI
God is no respecter of persons. It further states
that nine-tenthts of the colored people warmly gI
approve it. My observation and experience is td
that seven-tenths of the ntire community had
rather this question had not been broached at w
ail. My opiion is it would settle itself; for, m
gentlemen, you are aware that under a Itepub
lean administration and school board there was E2
manifested no disposit:on to indiscrtmmnately mix
the schools, nor would there be. In ceonversa- ye
Lion with a great number of persons, mostly of the i1
business commnunty, as well as able teachers ed
where the scbools are mixed comparatively, as
this school board is mixed, they one and all pr
lament the agitation of this subject. of
And why might not the colored members of er
this board, on the same ground and for the ce
same reason, demand a separate board of educe- so
Lion, demand that no white teachers shall teach
in colored schools, etc. th
Now s ist to be w ,ndred at, Mr. President, at
that in this cesmooolitan city, with its hetero
eneous mass of peop e. or whom it may be safe- s
/ said that one-third is entirely illiterate, that m
he friends of education should view with serious cs
alarm this encroachment upon their dearest
public interests. It is an unmistakable fast that as
There is a growing tendency to stifle the spirit of to
publio edecation, and this subtle agent begins at m
lhe high schools with the subtle and sympathetic
plea of no funds, matter of necessity and econ- ed
)my. Then there is another "agency' at wo:k, a
lone the less insidious, to remove a large class
wbhch it controls into sectarian or parochial at
schools.
there is again the dampening influence of tb
nea of wealth, who oppose taxation for public all
dnuoation. It, therefroe, behooves the friends -
i eduation to bestir thtmselves and aronse the
people to a pitehoft enthulem ere there IN a
combleetion of strenthb a eoncentraMon of
forces, that will reest all snorts to oppose.
STen ears ago there were about l4,05 elildre
ttesa pdblic hoolsti n a a peas of over
00000. To-day with lt ,000 bhild.n. by the sen
cession of colored chlldren we find deire to
eat down that sum to ,~l0,000. We retreclh,
but do not reform.
Without further digressing on the time of lb.
board, permit me to sag, In conclusion that f a
not sit here and countenanoe, either in word cn
sation, a violation of our oaths.
Mr. Mitchell, as chairmas of the speelal com
mittee, then offered the following:
Whereas, this board in the perforjasnee of His
paremount duty, which Is to give the best eda
ation posesible with the means at ts disposal, to
the whole population without regard to ras,
color or previous oondition, is asured that ithi
end can be'best attained by educating the diF
ferent raes in separate shools; therefore be it
Resolmvl, That the Committee on Teachers,
aided and assistdd by the thperintendent, be am.
thorised and instructed to take srao steps del.
Ing vacation as may be necessary to carry this
hlftey ih be said that it had been re
marked tha thise tovement was unconutltllOtinat
but he Lad taken the advice pf prominent lawyers,
and their opanio was that the publie sohooli
were not established under the State laws, and
that they were a municipoi corporaion. He did
and could no' see that there was any intention to
make any difference between the raes in this
resolution. For instance, as an lilustration, se
pose differenoes ooourred betweena the OCathode
and Protestant paplls in the public shoolt , and
Is became necessary for a separation to be made
could It be said that there was any infrnlagee
of rights?
He believed if a separation was not had it
would surely effect a denial of education events
ally. Thise esult would come surely if the two
races were kept together for in a past epet .
lion regime, when all the Metropolitan
fully armed, could not entirely protect oon
scholars, what would it be now?
He would obey the constitution as far as be
knew it, and hise own constretoen was the olti
respoeslbility he was held to.
He knew that there was an alienation between
the races and that faet could not obliterated.
Mr. Coleman asked that the resolautlon be r
terred to the committee on teachers.
Mr. Bartley asked whether or not It ought,to
go to the committee on rules and discilpline.
Mr. Coleman replied he felt tha It bshould go
to the committee en teaehers, as that was the
proper reference.
Mr. Oraig spoke In favor of a reference, but
wanted it made more broad. He was in favor of
a high "careering" grade of schools and he felt
both races oauJd get along together If the poii
oeans would die out, himself included. He es.
peeted to look down from heaven with Osear
Dunn, that saint and sde white boys and black
boys i partnership, running a line of steamathip
to Africa. He wantoed bpansiveness.
Mr. Ontheim offered an amendment that the
part of the resolution relative to the separation
of the schools be Inoluded in the resolution.
Col. Collins asked fur intormation. He Mant*e
to know what would be the effect of the resoltu
tion, and whether the question would not come
up again.
The hobirman, Mr. Semmes, said the effret of
the resolution was to send the whole matter to
the Consideration of the ommittee.
Mr. Collins said then that he would oppose the
resnltlon, and he thought that the resolutito
ought not to be carried. Thistiisotp e
meot. It had been tried by the old board a
was not a matter of surmise. In hi. own istriet
he had visited schools where the children were
not inised, and the scholare Were remurkasle
advanced.
Mr. Martinet favored the passage of the reA
lotion.
i a.. abSirhUk, iarvseu n.e pasage or t1er e
u lotion.
I Mr. Mitchell opposed the reference toea coa
mittee. He felt that theboard ought to It"e the
Squestion now, or it Would come ap again. He
Salso bead ylsited colored echools end witnessed
the advatremnent colored pupils, especaldly fa
the Olio school. He had atl.iotled over bam
d dred teachers, and thei agreed thet the purposes
0of education would be better darried out by divid
n lg the schools. He did not see how any ose
could say there wee any dlffereneo made in faveo
Sof either race.
The resolution and report of the peelal coa
5 mittee of the last meeting wee not referred.
The question on the resolution ltself then
came op.
Mr. Martinet moved to strike out that portion
of the resolution stating that it would best serve
the intereets of the pelple by educating the col
ored children in separate sQbools.
d The amendment wasee loe
On the original resolution Mr. Martinet called
the yeas and nays, that his vote might be re
corded.
t Yeas-Bartley, Oapdevllle, Colenati, Oraid,
Collins, Ferguson, Outheim, Handy, Hesainger,
Mitchell, beaman, Swarbriok, O'Brien, Lanaux-
'- 14.
SNays--Marinet, Faverweather Tourne-8.
Mr. Mitchell then offered the following:
Whereas, in consequence of financial ember
e rasement, and for other reasons, this board
deems it expedient to abolesh the high schools;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the committee on school
Shouses, in conjunction with the Superintendent
be authorized and instructed to carry into effeei
the intentions of the board in the premises.
Mr. (Gtheim offered the substitute that the
organization of the public soheools as it now
exists, be maintained for the current school year.
V In support of his substitute he said that he
regretted that he differed with the committee.
He was sorry to see that an effort was made to
eliminate the high schools. It was based upon
the supposition that there were not funds enough
to support them; that the b' ard was bound to
take only what the city government, in its
e charity, might give.
The city was bound to keep the schools in re
1 pair and there would be left funds enough to sup.
port the high schools as now.
He admitted that in part it was true that the
children attending the high schools were of
parents who could afford to send them to other
institutes, but on inquiry he found that many
poor children received their efucation in them.
Other cities were proud of their high schools,
and why should we out them of. The question
is simply one of expense, nothing else, and be
maintained the board had the means. From the
city came $275,000, and from the State $40,000,
and the scholastic expense would not amount to
t that. There was no necessity for cuatingdown
the high schools, and it would be difficult to caet
for the teachers in them.
Mr. Mitchell responded as to the question of
t ev. Mr. Gutheim said that the law gave the
1275,' 00, and be wo Id like to hear the opinion of
the President, Mr. Semmes, on the subject.
Mr. Semmes said that under the law the city
was bhound to raise the $275,000 and a writ of
mandamus would compel it.
Dr. Seaman stated that the appropriation of
$275,000, if needed, was due the public scnools.
He stated that the city Administrators had not
yet been applied to, and as they had a balanse of
$150,000 or a recent surplus would undoubt
edly aid the School Board.
Mr. Fayerweather said that it should be thbe
pride of every man to point to the high echoole
of the city. Applicants to the position of teaen
era if graduates of our high schools, always re
ceived more attention than if from any other
source.
Mr. Ferguson wanted to know whether it wee
the purpose of the schools to make psofessora
and scholars, or simply good citizens.
President Hemmes said that there might be
some compromise of the question. The grade
might be raised, and a good and thorough ed.
cation in English given.
Mr. Gutheum, in response to Mr. Ferguson,
said that in his opinion the public schools were
to make as many professors as possible. and as
many scholars.
Mr. Lloyd Coleman said that the object ,of
education was to raise the massema, and tt ooold
not be too high.
Mr. Collins favored keeping within the revenues
and the abolishm-nt of the, high schools.
Superintendent Bogers said that he thought
the pay rolls re*uc-d twenty per cent would not
allow the high schools to extat under the budget.
Cornomed ea Las rags.