Chapter XII: Introduction (3)

The schools of the Freedmen’s Aid Society rank high in educational efficiency. Some of them are well known colleges for colored people. Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina; Wiley University, Marshall, Texas; Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi; Walden University, Nashville, Tennessee; Morgan College, Baltimore, Maryland; Morristown Normal and Industrial College, Morristown, Tennessee; Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas; Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina; Samuel Houston College, Austin, Texas, and New Orleans University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Of these Wiley University, Walden University, Philander Smith College, Samuel Houston College and Bennett College are ably managed by colored presidents. Other institutions under this board are: Central Alabama Institute, Mason City, Alabama; Cookman Institute, Jacksonville, Florida; Gilbert Industrial Institute, Baldwin, Louisiana; Haven Institute, Meridian, Mississippi; George R. Smith College, Sedalia, Missouri, and Virginia Collegiate and Industrial Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia. In addition to these credit must be given to this society for the organization of Meharry Medical College, now managed by an independent board of trustees; for the maintenance and support of Gammon Theological Seminary, the best training school for colored ministers, and of the Sarah Goodridge Nurse Training School and Hospital at New Orleans, Louisiana. Princess Anne Academy which receives a portion of land-grant funds through the Federal Government is also supervised by the society.

The proportion of academic teachers is about the same as that in most of the denominational schools. The emphasis on the literary courses is marked. It is evidently unfortunate that this large denomination with 18 educational institutions should provide only three gardening teachers for the education of a people so largely rural. The percentage of men in the teaching force is above the average of church schools. This is probably explained by the fact that the proportion of colored teachers in these institutions is also above the average. The substitution of colored for white teachers in these institutions in the Freedmen’s Aid schools has evidently proceeded with considerable rapidity. The indications are that the change has been too rapid for the good of the schools. While democracy in education requires the recognition of the colored teachers, it is equally true that these schools need not only the financial aid of white people; but also their personal influence.

The Freedmen’s Aid Society was organized in 1866 “for the purpose of aiding the recently emancipated slaves and their children in securing the benefits of a good common school education, and such other educational preparation as was necessary to provide Christian ministers, physicians, school teachers, and industrial leaders for the race.” The colored members of the various branches of Methodism are next to the colored Baptists in number. The number of colored members in the Northern Methodist Church represented by the Freedmen’s Aid Society and the Woman’s Missionary Society is about 350,000. These members contribute about a fourth of the total sums collected by the Freedmen’s Aid Society for the education of colored people.

GIRLS’ DORMITORY. ELIZA DEE HOME. BOYS’ DORMITORY.

SAMUEL HOUSTON COLLEGE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

Founded in 1900 by the late President, J. S. Lovinggood. Now under the
Freedmen’s Aid Society of the M. E. Church. It has 17 teachers,
about 400 pupils, an income of $15,000, and property valued at
$100,000.
]

MAIN BUILDING, WILEY COLLEGE, MARSHALL, TEXAS.

The institution was founded in 1873 by the Freedmen’s Aid Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. It has thirty teachers, four hundred
students and a property valuation of $200,000.
]

Of the many notable persons who have rendered valuable service to this society, only two or three of those who are now in the service can be mentioned here. Reference is made in the school sketches to the long years given by the presidents of Meharry Medical College, Claflin University, and Morristown Normal and Industrial College. To these should be added the name of Bishop W. P. Thirkield, whose wisdom and energy in the various important positions entrusted to him have contributed greatly not only to the work of this society, but also to the general welfare of the colored people.

The executive officers of the society at present, are two corresponding secretaries and a school inspector. These three officers supervise the schools and appeal to the white and colored churches for funds to support the institutions.

MORGAN COLLEGE, BALTIMORE, MD.

Owned and supported by the Methodist Episcopal Church. It has eleven
teachers and one hundred students. The total value of the college is
$100,000.
]

The purpose of the Freedmen’s Aid Society to continue its splendid work of education is revealed in the report of the commission recently appointed by the Society to study the schools, which among other things, said:

GEORGE R. SMITH COLLEGE, SEDALIA, MO.
]

“We are persuaded that in spite of the better rural schools now being provided for the Negroes, in spite of some growth in normal school and high school accommodations, the work of the Freedmen’s Aid Society is still an urgent need of the South. So far from sounding any retreat, we of the church should make a great advance, provide a large endowment, give more adequate facilities, pay better salaries, and, in general, strengthen the institutions we have established. They are needed to train a Christian leadership for the colored race, and while they can touch but a few out of the negro millions, they can do, as they have already done, great things through these selected leaders.”

_Woman’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church._—The Woman’s Home Missionary Society owns and maintains 12 home schools for girls. Eight of them are connected with the various educational institutions of the Freedmen’s Aid Society. These homes usually provide home training for the girls at the larger schools of the Freedmen’s Aid Society. All of these homes are well managed. They are in charge of the best type of northern women and colored women, who have manifested unusual devotion and efficiency in their work. The important facts for these schools by States, are given below:

WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

───────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬─────────── │Number │ │ │Income for│ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼─────────── │ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │ ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼─────────── Total │ 12│ 1,572│ 71│ 41│ 30│ $42,975│ $309,500 ═══════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════ Arkansas │ 1│ 119│ 3│ 1│ 2│ 2,257│ 14,300 Florida │ 1│ 224│ 13│ 4│ 9│ 6,281│ 73,000 Georgia │ 2│ 259│ 11│ 7│ 4│ 7,220│ 15,000 Louisiana │ 1│ 175│ 6│ 4│ 2│ 3,171│ 45,000 Mississippi│ 1│ 55│ 4│ 3│ 1│ 4,895│ 32,000 North │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 2│ 380│ 13│ 10│ 3│ 7,488│ 33,000 South │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 1│ 279│ 12│ 7│ 5│ 5,373│ 75,500 Tennessee │ 1│ 31│ 2│ 2│ │ 2,595│ 8,700 Texas │ 2│ 50│ 7│ 3│ 4│ 3,695│ 13,000 ───────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, LINCOLN, PENNSYLVANIA.

One of the oldest colleges for colored people. Founded in 1854 by Rev.
John Dickey, of Oxford, Pa. It is one of the most liberally endowed
institutions, and has an able faculty. There are 14 teachers, about
225 students, and property valued at approximately $1,100,000.
]

The total income for the current expenses of all the homes is $54,975, of which $38,502 is received from the Missionary Society. The value of all the property is $287,000. The total attendance is 1,572 girls, of whom 808 are in the homes not connected with the Freedmen’s Aid Society. The teachers and workers are 71 women, of whom 41 are white and 30 colored; 18 are academic and 42 are industrial teachers.

MAIN BUILDING, BIDDLE UNIVERSITY, CHARLOTTE, N. C.

An institution maintained exclusively for colored young men. It was
founded in 1867, by the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen.
It has sixteen teachers, over two hundred students and property
valued at nearly $300,000.
]

The names and locations of these homes are as follows: Adeline Smith Home, Little Rock, Alabama; Boylan Home, Jacksonville, Florida; Thayer Home, Atlanta, Georgia; Haven and Speedwell Home, Savannah, Georgia; Peck Home, New Orleans, Louisiana; Rust Home, Holly Springs, Mississippi; Kent Home, Greensboro, North Carolina; Allen Industrial Home and School, Asheville, North Carolina; Browning Industrial Home, Camden, South Carolina; New Jersey Home, Morristown, Tennessee; Eliza Dee Home, Austin, Texas, and King Industrial Home, Marshall, Texas.

The society began its work in 1881, when Thayer Home was built at Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia. The society is divided into “bureaus” consisting of a secretary and assistants who are white volunteer workers. “Each bureau has the responsibility in its own field of executing the plans and applying the funds as ordered by the general board of managers.” The central office is at Cincinnati, Ohio.

_Presbyterian Board._—The Board of Missions for Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church owns and supervises 85 schools for colored people. Of these 32 are large important institutions. Through wise administration and fairly adequate equipment, they are meeting the needs of their communities or working successfully in that direction. Five of them are seminaries for colored girls. The educational work and general administration of these seminaries are excellent. They are among the best schools for colored people in the South. Two are boarding schools for young colored men, the others are boarding and day schools for boys and girls.

A summary table of these schools follows:

BOARD OF MISSIONS FOR FREEDMEN OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

───────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬─────────── │Number │ │ │Income for│ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼─────────── │ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │ ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼─────────── Total │ 85│ 8,915│ 423│ 84│ 339│ $200,124│ $2,151,321 ═══════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════ Alabama │ 3│ 391│ 25│ 13│ 12│ 10,116│ 55,000 Arkansas │ 8│ 774│ 28│ │ 28│ 5,911│ 40,350 Florida │ 3│ 247│ 9│ │ 9│ 1,150│ 4,000 Georgia │ 11│ 1,787│ 67│ │ 67│ 20,192│ 91,444 Kentucky │ 2│ 98│ 9│ │ 9│ 3,000│ 11,050 Mississippi│ 1│ 199│ 14│ 14│ │ 6,517│ 71,000 North │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 15│ 1,879│ 93│ 15│ 78│ 47,346│ 478,665 Oklahoma │ 1│ 93│ 6│ │ 6│ 1,976│ 8,000 South │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 19│ 1,808│ 75│ 7│ 68│ 22,907│ 158,050 Tennessee │ 8│ 607│ 34│ │ 34│ 10,052│ 87,950 Texas │ 1│ 115│ 13│ 13│ │ 10,979│ 60,000 Virginia │ 12│ 701│ 36│ 10│ 26│ 11,915│ 44,400 Northern │ │ │ │ │ │ │ States │ 1│ 216│ 14│ 12│ 2│ 48,063│ 1,041,412 ───────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────

The total income for current expenses of the schools under the Freedmen’s Board, including Lincoln University, was $200,124. Of this $176,946 was spent in the 32 larger schools and $23,178 in the 53 smaller schools. According to income, 17 schools were under $2,500; 4 between $2,500 and $5,000; 9 between $5,000 and $15,000, and one between $15,000 and $30,000. Lincoln University has an income of $48,000.

HAINES SCHOOL, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

One of the best private High Schools in the South for Negroes. Founded
in 1886, by Miss Lucy Laney, a young colored woman of marked
ability. It has 25 teachers, about 900 pupils, an income of $9,000,
and property valued at $75,000.
]

The total value of property of the 31 schools directly under the board was $1,109,909, of which $1,038,729 was in the property of the larger schools and $71,180 in the property of the smaller schools. The inclusion of Lincoln University, would bring the property of the larger Presbyterian schools up to $2,151,321. On the basis of property valuation 14 schools were below $2,500; 5 between $10,000 and $25,000; 3 between $25,000 and $50,000; 8 between $50,000 and $100,000 and one over $30,000.

The attendance of all the schools under this board, including Lincoln University, was 8,915, of whom 7,833 were elementary pupils, 930 secondary, and 152 in college studies. Lincoln University had 130 students reported as of collegiate grade and Biddle University 22 in college subjects. The teachers and workers in these institutions are 423 in number of whom 84 are white and 339, or 80 per cent. are colored; 115 are men and 308, or 70 per cent., are women; and 373, or 88 per cent., are academic.

These percentages indicate that the schools under the Freedmen’s board have an usual proportion of colored teachers. As the secretary recently reported, “an overwhelming number of their workers belong to the colored race. There are only six white men in our employ.” White workers are now limited to the five girls’ seminaries and one other school. These comments do not refer to Lincoln University, whose teachers are with two exceptions white men.

The Presbyterian Church began work among Negroes as early as 1864. Two committees, with headquarters at Indianapolis and Philadelphia, were combined by the general assembly at Pittsburgh in 1865. In 1870 a committee doing similar work in New York was consolidated with the Pittsburgh committee. In 1882 this committee was incorporated under the present name of the board. The woman’s department of the board was organized in 1884. Through this department the women of the church rendered valuable aid to the schools.

The name and locations of the larger Presbyterian schools are given below:

SCOTIA SEMINARY, CONCORD, N. C.

A splendid girls’ school. Founded in 1866. Owned and supported by the
Board of Missions for Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church. Teachers,
20; Attendance, 300; Property, $65,000.
]

Barber Memorial Seminary, Anniston, Alabama; Miller Memorial School, Birmingham, Alabama; Arkadelphia Academy, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Cotton Plant Academy, Cotton Plant, Arkansas; Boggs Academy, Keyesville, Georgia; Gillespie Normal Academy, Cordele, Georgia; Haines Institute, Augusta, Georgia; Hodge Academy, Washington, Georgia; McClelland Academy, Newman, Georgia; Seldon Normal and Industrial School, Brunswick, Georgia; Union Point Normal and Industrial School, Union Point, Georgia; Bowling Green Academy, Bowling Green, Kentucky; Free Memorial Institute, Camp Nelson, Kentucky; Mary Holmes Seminary, West Point, Mississippi; Albion Academy, Franklinton, North Carolina; Biddle University, Charlotte, North Carolina; Mary Potter Memorial School, Oxford, North Carolina; Scotia Seminary, Concord, North Carolina; Alice Lee Elliott Memorial School, Valliant, Oklahoma; Andrew Robertson Institute, Aiken, South Carolina; Brainerd Institute, Chester, South Carolina; Coulter Memorial School, Cheram, South Carolina; Goodwill Parochial School, Mayeville, South Carolina; Harbison College, Irmo, South Carolina; Kendall Institute, Sumter, South Carolina; Mayers Industrial School, Knoxville, Tennessee; Newton Normal School, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Swift Memorial School; Mary Allen Seminary, Crockett, Texas; Danville High and Industrial School, Danville, Virginia; Ingleside Seminary, Burkville, Virginia; Lincoln University, Lincoln, Pennsylvania.

_Protestant Episcopal Boards._—The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church has general supervision of all of the Episcopal schools. The American Church Institute for Negroes, a subordinate organization to the society, was incorporated in 1906, for the purpose of assisting in the religious education of Negroes. Its first secretary was the Rev. Samuel H. Bishop, whose faithful service was ended by death in 1914. The Rev. Robert W. Patton, the secretary of the Fourth Provincial Synod, now gives partial time to the raising of funds and the supervision of the eight schools receiving aid from the institute. These schools are as follows:

St. Augustine’s School, Raleigh, N. C. St. Paul’s Industrial School, Lawrenceville, Va. Bishop Payne Divinity School, Petersburg, Va. St. Athanasius’ School, Brunswick, Ga. Vicksburg School, Vicksburg, Miss. St. Mark’s School, Birmingham, Ala. St. Mary’s School, Columbia, S. C. Fort Valley School, Fort Valley, Ga.

The church, through the Missionary Society, appropriates about $50,000 annually for the education of Negroes in the United States. These gifts are made on the suggestion and advice of the bishops of the various dioceses. Appropriations for the larger institutions are sent directly to their treasurers. The small parochial schools are aided through the bishops of their diocese. These are frequently only little groups of children taught in the church. A state summary of the Episcopal schools follows:

AMERICAN CHURCH INSTITUTE AND THE EPISCOPAL BOARD OF MISSIONS.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────── │ │ │ │ Income │ │ Number │ │ │ for │ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │Value of States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses │Property ────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── Total │ 24│ 2,988│ 176│ $118,526│ $628,743 ════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪═════════╪═════════ Alabama │ 1│ 192│ 7│ 4,485│ 22,000 Florida │ 3│ 193│ 8│ 1,835│ 3,500 Georgia │ 5│ 685│ 38│ 18,204│ 66,500 Mississippi │ 1│ 121│ 5│ 2,514│ 5,000 North Carolina │ 5│ 640│ 39│ 30,069│ 211,500 South Carolina │ 4│ 607│ 15│ 3,976│ 12,000 Tennessee │ 1│ 32│ 4│ 1,182│ 4,000 Texas │ 1│ 73│ 4│ 2,500│ 25,000 Virginia │ 2│ 445│ 56│ 53,761│ 279,243 ────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────

The Episcopal Board of Missions and the American Church Institute give aid to 24 schools, of which 10 are large institutions. On the basis of income one of the large schools has an income under $2,500, five have incomes between $2,500 and $5,000, two between $5,000 and $15,000, and two over $15,000. These four are St. Augustine’s School in North Carolina; Fort Valley School, in Georgia; St. Paul’s School, and Bishop Payne Divinity School in Virginia.

The total income of these schools is $118,536, of which $109,181 is for the ten “larger” institutions and $9,345 is for the fourteen “less important” schools. The total value of property is $628,734, of which $604,543 is the property of the larger institutions, and $24,200 is the property of the smaller schools. The larger institutions have an endowment of $106,835.

The total attendance comprises 2,988 pupils, of which 2,720 are elementary and 268 secondary. The fifteen students at Bishop Payne Divinity School are preparing for the Episcopal ministry. About a thousand of the pupils reported were in attendance at the “smaller” schools. The total number of teachers and workers is 176, of whom 12 are white and 164 are colored; 58 are men and 118, or 67 per cent., are women; and 118, or 68 per cent., are teachers of academic subjects.

VIEW OF ENTRANCE.
]

CAMPUS AND RECITATION HALL, KNOXVILLE COLLEGE, KNOXVILLE, TENN.

The leading school of the United Presbyterian Church. It was founded
in 1875, by the Board of Freedmen’s Missions of that church. It has
30 teachers, 350 students and property valued at $175,000.
]

The proportion of colored workers is very large. Only St. Augustine’s and Bishop Payne Divinity School have any white officers or teachers. In addition to the scholars under the American Church Institute, the St. Michael’s School at Charlotte, North Carolina and the St. Phillip’s School, San Antonio, Texas, are among the important schools.

_United Presbyterian Church._—The Board of Freedmen’s Missions of the United Presbyterian Church owns and maintains 15 schools for Negroes in the United States, of these eleven are rated as “more important,” and four as “less important.” While eleven schools are regarded as “important,” or essential parts of the educational activities of their community, the average income per school is only about six or seven thousand dollars a year. Knoxville College, with an income of $25,470, is the central institution of the system. The colored teachers of all these schools are largely prepared at Knoxville. The good work of this institution is seen in the high type of graduates who are employed in the smaller schools.

BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

───────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬─────────── │Number │ │ │Income for│ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼─────────── │ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │ ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼─────────── Total │ 15│ 2,870│ 166│ 44│ 122│ $88,512│ $455,600 ═══════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════ Alabama │ 6│ 1,022│ 58│ │ 58│ 20,648│ 753,650 North │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 1│ 375│ 18│ │ 18│ 8,500│ 50,400 Tennessee │ 5│ 635│ 50│ 24│ 26│ 33,820│ 196,950 Virginia │ 3│ 838│ 40│ 20│ 20│ 25,544│ 134,600 ───────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────

The total annual income for current expenses is $88,512, and the value of property is $455,600. The attendance is 2,870, of whom 2,470 are elementary, 370 secondary, and 30 collegiate. All the schools have elementary pupils, and seven schools maintain secondary classes. Only Knoxville College offers instruction of college grade. The total number of teachers is 166, of whom 44 are white and 122, or 73 per cent., are colored; 46 are men, and 120, or 72 per cent., women; and 108, or 65 per cent., are teachers of academic subjects.

The proportion of colored teachers is large; but, in view of the location and type of these schools, it is probable that the present division is necessary. Any increase in the proportion of colored teachers should be seriously questioned. It is suggested that the experience of other church boards should be consulted on this problem. The percentage of women teachers is above the average. The emphasis on industrial courses is somewhat more marked than in other church schools. The provision for instruction in gardening and agriculture is by no means sufficient, however, for the rural masses of the communities in which those schools are located.

BENNETT COLLEGE, GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA.

The leading Methodist school of the State. It was founded in 1889 by
the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Church. It has 12
teachers, 312 pupils, an annual income of $6,000, and property
valued at approximately $45,000.
]

Much of the success of the colored schools of the United Presbyterian Church is due to the ability and faithfulness of Dr. Witherspoon, whose long service forms a notable contribution to religious and educational work. In 1915 the Board of Freedmen’s Missions published the Fifty-fifth Annual Report of its activities. The time and consideration which this board of conscientious business men and ministers devote to the management of the affairs of the school under their care are....

In educational work and administration the United Presbyterian institutions compare favorably with the best church schools. While the majority of them are not large, they are managed with economy and their activities are conducted with considerable regard for thoroughness. With the exception of two or three in eastern Tennessee, they are all well located. The six schools in Alabama are all in Wilcox County, forming a county system of private schools. The influence of these schools has transformed the conditions in the county. The unusual development of these schools in this one county is probably due to the interest and ability of a Scotchman, member of the United Presbyterian Church, who settled in the county soon after the Civil War.

_Miscellaneous Denominational Schools under White Boards._—There are a number of miscellaneous denominational schools maintained by white boards. These boards are not discussed separately, because there are so few schools under each board as is indicated in the table below.

Many of the schools of this group represent churches with considerable wealth. Of special interest are the two institutions maintained by white church boards of the South. Paine College of Augusta, is maintained by the Methodist Episcopal Church South. This institution is the largest of the group. The other school owned by the South is Stillman Institute, maintained by the Presbyterian Church South. Both of these schools are taught by Southern white people who are genuinely interested in the colored. It is especially significant in this connection to mention the fact that it is the announced purpose of the Methodist Church to make Paine College an institution of higher education in every sense of that term. Stillman Institute, at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is also of importance as it touches of point of most vital concern to the development of the race, the development of trained ministers. While the institution has not reached its highest point of development, there is every hope that it too will eventually be a higher institution for the training of ministers.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
]

PAINE COLLEGE, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

Founded in 1884 by the Methodist Episcopal Church South. One of the
few private institutions for Negroes owned and taught by Southern
white people. It has 20 teachers, over 200 pupils, an income of
about $25,000, and property valued at $125,000.
]

The figures for schools under these miscellaneous boards are herewith presented:

MISCELLANEOUS DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS—WHITE BOARDS.

─────────────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬───────────
│Number │ │ │Income for│
│ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of
States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property
─────────────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼───────────
│ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │
─────────────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼───────────
Total │ 12│ 1,570│ 81│ 37│ 44│ $58,717│ $387,265
═════════════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════
Christian Advent │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 1│ 60│ 3│ │ 3│ 1,500│ 2,500
Christian │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Alliance │ 1│ 71│ 9│ 9│ │ 1,476│ 33,900
Christian │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Convention │ │ │ │ │ │ │
(miscellaneous)│ 3│ 194│ 12│ │ 12│ 4,187│ 75,000
Methodist │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Episcopal │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church South │ 1│ 202│ 19│ 6│ 13│ 23,050│ 125,000
Presbyterian │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church South │ 1│ 51│ 5│ 5│ │ 7,300│ 51,000
Reformed │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Episcopal │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 1│ 95│ 2│ │ 2│ 300│ 2,000
Reformed │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Presbyterian │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 1│ 705│ 17│ 7│ 10│ 7,300│ 52,500
7th Day Adventist│ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 2│ 136│ 11│ 10│ 1│ 12,404│ 42,765
Universalist │ │ │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 1│ 56│ 3│ │ 3│ 1,200│ 3,500
─────────────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────

The total number of schools under these boards is twelve. Of these, six are rated by the United States Bureau of Education as large or important institutions. The total income of the 12 schools is $58,717, of which the largest sum provided by any one denomination is $23,050, the income of Paine College, Augusta, Georgia, supported by the Methodist Episcopal Church South; the total number of teachers is 81, of whom 37 are white, and 44 are colored; the value of property is $387,265, of which $125,000 is for Paine College.

Of the six large schools under these boards Paine College and Stillman Institute have been mentioned, Stillman being maintained by the Presbyterian Church South. The other four are: Boydton Institute, Boydton, Virginia, maintained by the Christian Alliance; Franklinton Christian College, Franklinton, North Carolina, maintained by the Christian Church; Knox Institute, Selma, Alabama, maintained by the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Oakwood Manual Training School, Huntsville, Alabama, maintained by the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

COLORED CHURCH BOARDS MAINTAINING SCHOOLS.

WALKER BAPTIST INSTITUTE, AUGUSTA, GA.

Founded in 1888 by the Baptist Association. Now owned and supervised
by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. It has 13 teachers,
about 200 pupils, an income of $7,000, and property valued at
$30,000.
]

MAIN BUILDING, LANE COLLEGE, JACKSON, TENN.

One of the best buildings in Negro schools. The institution was
founded in 1879 by the Tennessee Conference of the C. M. E. Church.
It has 15 teachers, about 250 pupils and property valued at $90,000.
]

In the foregoing pages facts and figures have been given for all of the schools under white hoards, together with the names of the more important schools. It is apparent from these facts that the interest of the more fortunate members of the white race in the education of the Negro has by no means passed. The works of the colored boards, however, while they have not the money and the training such as have been brought to the schools under white boards, is the best proof of race progress. Indeed the establishment of the large number of schools by the colored people is one of the most noteworthy achievements of the race. As is to be expected, practically all of these schools are supported through the various religious denominations. The works of these boards is convincing evidence of the determination of the colored people to help themselves. The liberality with which they contribute to the maintenance of these schools is both wonderful and inspiring. This is especially significant when it is remembered the colored are taxed for educational purposes just as any other people. While authentic statistics are not available to show what proportion of the taxes paid by them are returned in the form of public school facilities, it is quite generally believed that they receive an unequal share. In the face of this condition, their willingness to establish schools for themselves, that they, optimism, resolution and courage. These are among the best signs of race power, and prove the capacity of the colored people to progress, even in the face of opposition. The following table shows the number of schools, teachers, students, amount of income and value of property of the schools under the different colored denominations:

NEGRO CHURCH BOARDS MAINTAINING SCHOOLS.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬────────┬──────────
│ │ │ │ Income │
│ Number │ │ │ for │
│ of │ Counted │ │Current │ Value of
States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses│ Property
────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼────────┼──────────
Total │ 153│ 17,299│ 828│$380,933│$2,305,054
════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪════════╪══════════
Baptist Local │ │ │ │ │
Conventions │ 110│ 11,250│ 474│ 181,914│ 821,295
African Methodist │ │ │ │ │
Episcopal │ 17│ 3,212│ 187│ 129,778│ 800,609
African Methodist │ │ │ │ │
Episcopal Zion │ 11│ 1,207│ 77│ 37,600│ 316,950
Colored Methodist │ │ │ │ │
Episcopal │ 9│ 1,313│ 72│ 25,991│ 328,200
Five Small Church │ │ │ │ │
Boards │ 6│ 317│ 18│ 5,650│ 38,000
────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴────────┴──────────

From this table it will be seen that there are 153 institutions supported entirely by colored people; that they have over 17,000 students, 828 teachers, an annual income of $380,933, and property valued nearly $2,500,000. These figures represent conservative compilations by the United States Bureau of Education. Significant as these facts are, however, they do not represent the sum total of the conditions which the Negroes make for the maintenance of schools. They contribute large sums annually to schools under white denominations, and to independent schools.

_Colored Baptist Schools._—It is to be expected that the Baptist denomination with its large membership should lead in the support of schools.

ALLEN UNIVERSITY, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.

One of the leading institutions under colored management. It was
founded in 1880 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church of South
Carolina. It has 20 teachers, 450 pupils, an income of $16,000, and
property valued at nearly $100,000.
]

Though there are several national organizations of Negro Baptists, none of them seem to own or maintain any educational institution. The schools are owned and directed by State or local organizations or by independent boards of trustees selected from the membership of Baptist churches. The origin of the national and State associations was suggested in the discussion of the white Baptist Boards. The local Baptist associations are composed of churches located in one or more counties.

The following table presents the important facts for these schools by States:

BAPTIST LOCAL CONVENTIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────── │ │ │ │ Income │ │ Number │ │ │ for │ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │Value of States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses │Property ────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── Total │ 110│ 11,250│ 474│ $181,914│ $821,295 ════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪═════════╪═════════ Alabama │ 14│ 1,613│ 51│ 14,087│ 53,300 Arkansas │ 7│ 606│ 27│ 10,926│ 40,350 District of Columbia│ 1│ 71│ 11│ 8,981│ 42,500 Florida │ 3│ 382│ 12│ 5,096│ 35,000 Georgia │ 12│ 951│ 47│ 14,224│ 52,400 Kentucky │ 2│ 18│ 2│ 1,500│ 8,200 Louisiana │ 16│ 2,228│ 62│ 21,551│ 75,300 Maryland │ 2│ 76│ 5│ │ Mississippi │ 12│ 1,837│ 58│ 19,751│ 81,590 North Carolina │ 15│ 809│ 39│ 15,640│ 60,300 South Carolina │ 9│ 1,202│ 52│ 15,192│ 96,000 Tennessee │ 1│ 77│ 5│ 1,000│ 5,000 Texas │ 7│ 788│ 56│ 28,140│ 167,725 Virginia │ 9│ 642│ 47│ 25,826│ 103,630 ────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────

The various associations of Negro Baptists own and maintain 110 schools, of which 31 are rated as “larger or more important” by the Bureau of Education. Some of the 31 schools are classified as “more important” on the basis of quality of work rather than on size of plant.

The total annual income for current expenses is $181,914, of which $99,040, is for the 31 larger schools, and $82,874 for the 79 smaller schools. The value of property is $821,295, of which $539,545 is in the smaller schools. According to these figures, the average income of the larger schools is only about $3,200, and the average income of the smaller schools is about $1,000, and the average value of plant about $3,600.

WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY, WILBERFORCE, OHIO.

One of the oldest institutions for colored people. It was founded in
1847 by the Ohio Conference of the African Methodist Church, and has
always been under colored management. It has in the University
proper and in the Combined Normal and Industrial Department an
attendance of over 400, 50 teachers, an annual income of $100,000,
and property valued at almost $600,000.
]

The total attendance is 11,250 pupils, of whom 10,324 are elementary and 926 secondary. The number of teachers is 474, of whom 159 are male and 315 female. There are only 20 teachers of industrial courses and two teachers of agriculture. The 79 smaller schools have only four industrial teachers.

MORRIS BROWN UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA, GA.

One of the leading schools owned and supported entirely by Negroes. It
was founded in 1881, by the Georgia Conference of the Afri-Methodist
Episcopal Church. There are 30 teachers, over 500 students and
property valued at $150,000.
]

LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE, SALISBURY, N. C.

One of the leading colleges in the South for colored people. It was
founded in 1882 by a group of ministers representing the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. It is entirely under colored
management. It has an attendance of 200 pupils, 20 teachers, an
annual income of approximately $20,000, and property valued at
$207,000.
]

Livingstone Colored Normal and Industrial Institute, Livingstone, Alabama; Union Springs Normal School, Union Springs, Alabama; Consolidated White River Academy, Brinkley, Arkansas; Immanuel Industrial Institute, Almyra, Arkansas; South East Baptist Industrial Academy, Dermott, Arkansas; National Training School for Women and Girls, Washington, D. C.; Florida Institute, Live Oak, Florida; Cabin Creek High School, Griffin, Georgia; Central City College, Macon, Georgia; Rome High and Industrial School, Rome Georgia; Howe Institute, New Iberia, Louisiana; Israel Academy, Belle Alliance, Louisiana; Mansfield Academy, Mansfield, Louisiana; Baptist Industrial High School; Natchez College, Natchez, Mississippi; Sardis Industrial College, Sardis, Mississippi; Rich Square Academy, Rich Square, North Carolina; Bettis Academy, Trenton, South Carolina; Friendship Normal and Industrial College, Roche Hill, South Carolina; Morris College, Sumter, South Carolina; Seneca Institute, Seneca, South Carolina; Nelson-Mary Academy, Jefferson City, Tennessee; Central Texas College, Waco, Texas; East Texas Academy, Tyler, Texas; Fort Worth Industrial and Mechanical College, Fort Worth, Texas; Guadaloupe College, Seginn, Texas; Houston College, Houston, Texas; Corey Memorial Institute, Portsmouth, Virginia; Pittsylvania Normal, Industrial and College Institute, Gretna, Virginia; Rappahannock Industrial Academy, Ozeana, Virginia; Virginia Theological Seminary and College, Lynchburg, Virginia.

SHORTER COLLEGE, ARGENTA, ARKANSAS.

Founded in 1886; owned and controlled by the Arkansas Conference of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Teachers, 15; Students, 225;
Value of property, $35,000.
]

_African Methodist Episcopal Church._—Next to the Baptist denomination the African Methodist Episcopal Church has been most active among colored denominations in the establishment of schools for its members.

The following table presents the facts for the A. M. E. schools:

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────── │ │ │ │ Income │ │ Number │ │ │ for │ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │Value of States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses │Property ────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── Total │ 17│ 3,212│ 187│ $129,778│ $800,609 ════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪═════════╪═════════ Alabama │ 1│ 265│ 13│ 6,500│ 35,600 Arkansas │ 1│ 219│ 14│ 8,416│ 29,622 Florida │ 2│ 343│ 17│ 18,901│ 44,500 Georgia │ 3│ 710│ 41│ 17,448│ 180,300 Kentucky │ 1│ 33│ 3│ 1,500│ 7,000 Louisiana │ 1│ 142│ 6│ 1,500│ 10,150 Mississippi │ 2│ 282│ 15│ 8,450│ 47,000 North Carolina │ 1│ 176│ 12│ 9,046│ 61,500 South Carolina │ 2│ 462│ 21│ 16,902│ 82,500 Tennessee │ 1│ 101│ 11│ 4,737│ 48,400 Texas │ 1│ 286│ 15│ 8,064│ 97,000 Northern States │ 1│ 193│ 19│ 28,314│ 157,037 ────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────

The various conferences of the African Methodist Episcopal Church own and maintain 17 schools, of which 13 are rated in this report as “larger or more important,” by the Bureau of Education. The total income for current expenses is $128,778, and the total value of property is $800,609. On the basis of income four of the larger schools have incomes under $5,000, six between $5,000 and $15,000, and three between $15,000 and $30,000. According to property, three schools have a valuation under $25,000, five between $25,000 and $50,000, three between $50,000 and $100,000, and two between $150,000 and $250,000.

The total attendance is 3,212 pupils, of whom 2,096 are elementary, 1,028 secondary, and 88 collegiate. Three institutions offer college courses. The number of teachers is 187, or whom 98 are men and 89 women.

As an indication of the progress of the colored people, the extent of these educational facilities and the character of the organization are exceedingly satisfactory.

The 13 larger schools of the A. M. E. Church are: Payne University, Selma, Alabama; Shorter College, Argenta, Arkansas; Edward Waters College, Tallahassee, Florida; Morris Brown University, Atlanta, Georgia; Payne Institute, Cuthbert, Georgia; Central Park Normal and Industrial Institute, Savannah, Georgia; Lampton Literary and Industrial College, Alexandria, Louisiana; Campbell College, Jackson, Mississippi; Kittrell College, Kittrell, North Carolina; Allen University, Columbia South Carolina; Turner Normal School, Shelbyville, Tennessee; Paul Quinn College, Waco Texas; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.

_African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church._—The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has been very active and effective in the establishment and management of schools. Much credit is due Dr. S. G. Atkins, the former educational secretary, through whose tact and ability a number of these schools greatly increased in the value of their work. The leading facts are given below:

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────── │ │ │ │ Income │ │ Number │ │ │ for │ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │Value of States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses │Property ────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── Total │ 11│ 1,207│ 77│ $37,600│ $316,950 ════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪═════════╪═════════ Alabama │ 1│ 137│ 8│ 4,074│ 25,450 Arkansas │ 1│ 77│ 6│ 1,047│ 6,200 Kentucky │ 1│ 44│ 6│ 2,282│ 12,600 North Carolina │ 4│ 464│ 32│ 22,518│ 219,450 South Carolina │ 2│ 422│ 17│ 3,640│ 29,000 Tennessee │ 1│ 18│ 2│ 500│ 5,500 Virginia │ 1│ 45│ 7│ 3,000│ 18,750 ────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────

The conferences of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church own and maintain 11 schools, of which nine are rated as “larger or more important.” The total income for current expenses is $37,600, and the value of property is $316,950. Livingstone College in North Carolina represents over half of the total of income and property.

The total attendance is 1,207, of whom 923 are elementary, 267 secondary and 17 college subjects. The teachers are 77 in number, of whom 36 are men and 41 women.

The general standards of educational work have been good. This is especially true of the smaller schools.

Lomax Hannon High School, Greenville, Alabama; Walter Institute, Warren, Arkansas; Atkinson College, Madisonville, Kentucky; Edenton’s Normal and Industrial College, Edenton, North Carolina; Eastern North Carolina Industrial Academy, Newbern, North Carolina; Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina; Lancaster Normal and Industrial College, Lancaster, South Carolina; Clinton College, Rock Hill, South Carolina; Dinwiddie Agricultural and Industrial School, Dinwiddie, Virginia.

_Colored Methodist Episcopal Church._—The general board of education of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has only recently been organized. Its functions with regard to the schools are advisory. The secretary is, however, doing much to improve the methods of administration and the standards of educational work. His point of view is well stated in the following quotation from his annual report:

The strongest plea for help is first-class work. Our schools must run on business principles and not on sentiment. We must arrange the classification and standards of our schools so that they will be each what its name indicates—not professing to do what we do not do. A good grammar school is greater than a poor high school; a good academy more desirable than a sorry college; a well-conducted college is preferable to a sham university. We must meet present-day needs and demands if we expect to get money.

A very important fact with regard to this denomination and its schools is the relation to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was founded through the missionary interest of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church in the former slave States. Through this interest, the Methodist Episcopal Church maintains Payne College, at Augusta, Ga., and contributes annual sums to several of the African Methodist Episcopal schools. In the cooperation now being developed, the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church has been ably represented by Dr. John M. Moore, the secretary of the mission department, and Dr. Anderson, the secretary of education.

COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────── │ │ │ │ Income │ │ Number │ │ │ for │ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │Value of States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses │Property ────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── Total │ 9│ 1,313│ 72│ $25,991│ $328,200 ════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪═════════╪═════════ Alabama │ 2│ 300│ 17│ 3,954│ 60,400 Georgia │ 2│ 148│ 7│ 2,300│ 8,500 Louisiana │ 1│ 164│ 7│ 2,400│ 12,000 Mississippi │ 1│ 242│ 12│ 3,672│ 87,000 Oklahoma │ 1│ 131│ 4│ 1,300│ 1,300 Tennessee │ 1│ 218│ 15│ 8,600│ 89,000 Texas │ 1│ 110│ 10│ 3,765│ 70,000 ────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────

The conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church own and maintain nine schools, of which six are rated as “larger or more important” and three as “smaller or less important.” The total income for current expenses is $25,991, and the value of property is $328,200. Lane College in Tennessee is the only institution with an income of over $5,000. Three schools have property valuations of over $50,000.

The total attendance is 1,313 pupils, of whom 1,030 are elementary, 267 secondary, and 10 collegiate. The number of teachers is 72, of whom 32 are men and 40 are women.

The nine larger C. M. E. schools are: Miles Memorial College, Birmingham, Alabama; Holsey Academy, Cordele, Georgia; Homer College, Homer, Louisiana; Mississippi Industrial College, Holly Springs, Mississippi; Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee; Texas College, Tyler, Texas.

_Miscellaneous denominations._—In addition to the educational institutions of the colored churches mentioned, five other denominations are attempting some educational work. Only one of these maintained more than one school, The Free Will Baptist Church, which maintains Kinston College, Kinston, North Carolina, is the only denomination in the group that supports a school classed as large or important by the Bureau of Education. The following table presents the facts for these schools:

MISCELLANEOUS DENOMINATIONS SCHOOLS—NEGRO BOARDS.

────────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────
│ │ │ │ Income │
│ Number │ │ │ for │
│ of │ Counted │ │ Current │Value of
States │Schools │Attendance │Teachers │Expenses │Property
────────────────────┼────────┼───────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────
Total │ 6│ 317│ 18│ $5,650│ $38,000
════════════════════╪════════╪═══════════╪═════════╪═════════╪═════════
Free Will Baptist │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 1│ 60│ 4│ 1,700│ 15,000
Methodist Episcopal │ │ │ │ │
local conventions │ 2│ 22│ 4│ 450│ 6,000
Afro-American │ │ │ │ │
Presbyterian │ │ │ │ │
Church │ 1│ 25│ 2│ 1,500│ 7,000
Church of Christ │ │ │ │ │
Sanctified │ 1│ 130│ 6│ 1,500│ 10,000
Colored Local │ │ │ │ │
Seventh Day │ │ │ │ │
Adventist Church │ 1│ 80│ 2│ 500│
────────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────

OTHER AGENCIES INTERESTED IN NEGRO EDUCATION.

In addition to the public, independent and denominational agencies maintaining colored schools, there are certain funds and associations that are deserving of consideration. There are educational funds, religious organizations and educational associations.

The funds and associations interested in the education of Negroes in the United States differ widely in purpose and resources. Some are rendering a remarkable educational service not only to the Negroes; but also to the South and the whole Nation. A number of the agencies are devoting only a part of their resources to Negro education. A few are of comparatively little importance. The work of the more important agencies is discussed herewith.

_General Education Board._—Because of the large sums controlled by this board and its wide influence upon the education of the country as a whole, it is important to outline its attitude toward Negro education. The report just issued by the Bureau of Education describes the attitude and works of the General Education Board in establishing some of the more recent movements in the improvement of the colored schools and communities. Among the more important of these are State supervisors of Negro rural schools, cooperation with other agencies, home-makers clubs for girls and farm demonstration works. Most of these movements have been carried on either directly or indirectly with the schools. In describing these more recent movements in Negro education, the report says:

“The guiding principal of the General Education Board in all its efforts in behalf of Negro education is cooperation, first of all with public authorities and second, with agencies that are thoroughly constructive in purpose. The secretaries are men of ability and foresight. The work and influence of Dr. Wallace Buttrick have been especially notable. The policies of the board are based upon a study both of educational facilities and community needs.”

Its activities have included the improvement of country life through farm demonstration agents and boys’ and girls’ clubs in such projects as the cultivation and canning of vegetables; encouraging secondary schools to adapt their program to the needs of democratic society; and aiding colleges and universities to increase their efficiency and broaden their curriculum so as to provide adequate emphasis on modern problems. These undertakings have been conducted with statesmanship and a real regard for the welfare of democracy. While the sum spent on educational efforts in behalf of Negroes forms but a comparatively small part of the total appropriations made by the board, the activities encouraged or maintained have been effective in the development of cooperation with the public school authorities, and in the improvement of both private and public schools for Negroes.

Perhaps the most important form of cooperation on the part of the General Education Board in behalf of Negro education, is with the State departments of public instruction in the appointment and support of State supervisors of Negro schools. Ten Southern States have made such appointments. These supervisors are capable of Southern white men who are devoting their energy with much success to the advancement of Negro schools. Their efforts have already resulted in small but significant increases in public appropriations, a better attitude toward Negro education, and greater cooperation between public and private institutions.

Another important contribution of the General Education Board has been correlation of effort with private funds, church boards, and individual institutions. The Jeanes fund has received financial aid and encouragement in the excellent work of placing industrial supervisors and teachers in many counties throughout the Southern States. The Slater fund has been similarly assisted in the development of the county training schools. In the study of Negro education, the agents of the Phelps-Stokes fund not only had access to the board’s valuable records, but were enabled to call upon the board’s representatives for information and counsel. Church boards of education and individual schools have received substantial appropriations from the board and valuable suggestions on educational method from its educational experts.

Homemakers’ clubs have been formed in a number of Southern States. These clubs are composed of colored girls who are taught the essentials of rural homemaking, including the cultivation of a garden and the canning of fruits and vegetables. The movement has been very successful in the inculcation of sound ideas of sanitation, thrift and morality. Hundreds of clubs have been formed under the general direction of the State supervisors, and the more immediate care of the Jeanes fund county teachers. Under the provisions of the Smith-Lever Act some Federal funds are also being spent for this purpose.

The farm demonstration movement is undoubtedly the most important educational effort which the General Education Board has encouraged for the improvement of white and colored people. While the influence of the movement has been primarily among white farmers, its future possibilities for the colored people are so significant that a description of the plan must be included herein. The purpose of the movement is the increase of the productivity of the soil. The plan was originated by Dr. Seaman A. Knapp about 1903, in order to enable the farmers of Texas to combat the ravages of the bollweevil. The fundamental element in the plan is Dr. Knapp’s principle that the most effective way of teaching good farming is to prevail upon one farmer in every neighborhood to cultivate an acre of his land according to scientific methods of agriculture. The effect of such a plan has been that the farmer with the demonstration acre extends the plan to the remainder of his farm and the neighboring farms soon follow his example. It has been shown that such an experimental plan is much more effective than the distribution of printed matter or even explanations by traveling lecturers.

When the remarkable possibilities of this simple method had been demonstrated, the General Education Board entered into cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture to extend the movement throughout the Southern States and especially in the section suffering from the bollweevil. As a result of this cooperation, begun in 1906, the board made increasing appropriations each year until the sum for 1913–1914 had become $252,000. In that year the Federal Government also appropriated $375,000, and the States and counties gave approximately $400,000. In 1915, further cooperation was prohibited by Congress, but in recognition of the value of the work, the Federal appropriation was considerably increased.

The economic and educational significance of the farm demonstration movement is now gradually being understood. Committees have lifted themselves out of poverty. Schools and churches and roads have been built. The general average of community welfare has been elevated in many rural districts. Schoolmen have been impressed with the value of actual demonstration in instruction and school methods are requiring that pupils shall “learn to do by doing.”

_Carnegie Foundation._—The interest of Mr. Carnegie in Negro education is well known. His gifts have been large and significant. The activities of the Carnegie Foundation, however, have been such that little systematic study could be devoted to Negro education. Many educational leaders have expressed the hope that the perplexing problems of educating the 10,000,000 Negroes may receive the counsel and aid of the Carnegie Foundation. Many schools, however, have received large gifts from the Foundation, and from Mr. Carnegie. Several schools have splendid libraries as the result of these gifts.

_John F. Slater Fund._—One of the most widely known funds devoted exclusively to Negro education, is the John F. Slater Fund. The work made possible through this gift, is one of the notable achievements in the education of Negroes in the United States. The fund, amounting to $1,000,000, was given in 1882, by John F. Slater of Connecticut, for the purpose of “uplifting the lately emancipated population of the Southern States and their prosperity.” In recognition of the public spirit of the donor, the United States Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a medal. At the time of the final distribution of the Peabody Fund in 1914, the Peabody trustees voted to transfer a sum amounting to about $350,000 to the John F. Slater Fund, “the income to be used for improving the rural schools for the Negro race.” The total amount of the Slater Fund is now about $1,750,000.

In 1915–16 the Slater Fund appropriated $67,250 for Negro schools located in 13 Southern States. Of this amount $25,425 was given to supplement the work of institutions owned by State or county authorities. The total number of schools receiving aid in 1915 was 68, of which 17 are county training schools, and 19 others are owned by city, county, or State. Approximately $3,000 has been given to aid summer schools for teachers.

The general purpose of the appropriations made by the trustees of the Slater Fund, has been the encouragement of industrial courses. The number of schools receiving aid has varied from year to year. The following statement indicates the number of schools and the amounts appropriated in different periods:

Time. Number of Schools. Amount.
1882–83 12 $16,250
1883–84 18 17,106
1884–85 29 36,764
1889–90 37 42,910
1894–95 16 42,400
1900–1901 11 43,330
1904–5 27 53,550
1909–10 40 69,750
1914–15 68 69,250

The variation in the number of schools reflects the different policies of the fund as well as the changes in the amount of money to be distributed. The present policy is that of increasing cooperation with public school authorities in all efforts to improve and increase the supply of public school teachers. Dr. Dillard, the director of the Slater Fund and the executive officer of the Jeanes fund, has been very successful in arousing the interest of public authorities in Negro schools. Realizing that the majority of elementary school teachers receive their education in their own or neighboring county, he is directing as much as possible of the Slater Fund to the improvement of public schools centrally located in the counties, so that courses of training for teachers may be established. The usual conditions observed in the organization of these schools are: first, that the property shall belong to the State or county; second, that an appropriation of at least $7.50 shall be made annually by the county for the maintenance; third, that at least eight grades of instruction shall be provided, including some industrial work and simple instruction in teaching methods. In 1912, there were three schools of this character. In 1915, the number had increased to 17. With the aid of the General Education Board and other agencies, it is probable that before the close of 1917, there will be over 40 county training schools for Negroes in the Southern States.