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. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| States | Number of Schools | Counted Attendance | Teachers | Income for Current Expenses | Value of 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.