Evidences of Progress Among Colored People

by G. F. Richings

On my first visit to Washington, D. C., in 1892, I took advantage of the opportunity offered me to study the school question in that city. I shall ever feel grateful to Prof. G. F. T. Cook, for the kindness shown me, in giving me useful information on that subject. Those who regard the colored man incapable of looking after his own educational interests, need only visit the public schools of Washington to have his views very much changed. In the high school I found the greatest interest. That building is under the control of Prof. F. L. Cardoso, who has been for years a very useful man in the educational interest of the race. He received a fine University training in Glasgow, Scotland, before the war, and afterwards, I think, secured a scholarship at Oxford. In the early days of freedom, he founded in the interest of the A. M. A. Society what is known as Avery Institute, Charleston, S. C., a school that has done grand work for the race.

At the High School, I met Mr. Hugh Brown, who is beyond doubt one of the finest scholars in America, white or colored. He called my attention to a phase of Negro education I knew nothing of. In the department of Elementary Physics, he showed me a first-class telephone, made entirely by colored students; the phone was then in use. I saw in print a statement from Mr. Bell, of the Bell Telephone Co., in which he said, "I regard this telephone, made entirely by these students, as good as any I have ever tested." Mr. Brown also showed me quite a number of electrical appliances, all made by students.

MRS. MARY C. TERRELL.

For competent teachers, earnest men and women who are doing a noble work for the elevation of the race, there are not, to my knowledge, to be found anywhere in the United States a larger number than in Washington, D. C.

One feature of the school work of Washington is the industrial departments of the public schools.

I am endebted to Prof. G. F. T. Cook for these splendid observations, and during my visit to Washington he told me much more that would make not only interesting reading, but valuable study to those who are seeking the truth as regards the educational forces in operation in Washington for the improvement of the colored citizens. The noble work of Prof. Cook is aided by the following persons who are supervising principals: H. P. Montgomery, W. S. Montgomery, J. H. N. Waring, F. L. Cardoso, Miss L. E. Moten, H. F. Grant, T. W. Hunster, J. H. Hill, Mrs. M. B. Cook, Mrs. C. E. Syphax, Mrs. M. P. Evans.

I want to say in this connection, that Mrs. Mary C. Terrell is one of the Board of Trustees of Public Schools for the District of Columbia, and she is the first colored lady to be so honored in any city in the United States to my knowledge. I present her portrait.

Mrs. Terrell is interested in every movement that will advance the cause of colored people and especially colored women. I am told that she has just been elected as President of the Federation of Afro-American Women, and succeeds Mrs. Booker T. Washington, who was the first president.