FINANCES.
We present our financial situation as one of these encouragements, and first in order, as being special, we mention the receipt of $150,000, the donation of Mrs. Valeria G. Stone, of Malden, Mass. This munificent gift has been so confidently anticipated, that Prof. T. N. Chase has for some time been occupied in maturing plans for the buildings to be erected by it, so that the work at all points will be pushed forward with rapidity and economy. We hope, therefore, at our next Annual Meeting, to announce that buildings have been erected at several points in the South that shall afford much needed facilities to overcrowded schools, and that shall serve as monuments to the liberality and wisdom of the donor, more fitting, because more useful, than the most costly shaft or obelisk.
Next in order, but not least in significance, we refer to the financial exhibit of our Treasurer, with its favorable balance sheet. The receipts for the year, aside from Mrs. Stone’s donation, have been $187,480.02, which together with the amount on hand Sept. 30, 1879 ($1,475.90), makes a total of $188,955.92; and the expenditures, $188,172.19; thus giving a credit balance of $783.73.
As a part of the gratifying results of the year’s expenditures, as we had no debt to pay, we can point to four school buildings newly erected or greatly improved; to six church edifices completed; to two in the process of erection; to five repaired and improved; and to three parsonages repaired, one in process of erection, and one built by the people. Among these new school buildings we are glad to number the large and commodious edifice for Tillotson Institute, Austin, Texas, a permanent outpost, we hope, in the rapidly increasing population of the great South-west.
Such a balance sheet, carrying on the one side our regular work and these new and greatly needed buildings, yet held in even poise by the generous donations of our friends, is an argument for enlargement at other points calling for it with increased importunity. We dare not be presumptuous, but may we not trust still further to the God of the poor, and will not his people sustain us in the trust?
FREEDMEN.
Our Educational work among the Freedmen furnishes the next source of encouragement.
The increasing appreciation of our schools by both the white and colored people of the South, is manifest. Georgia continues to give the substantial assistance of her annual appropriation of $8,000 to the Atlanta University. A large majority of the State Board of Examiners attended the anniversary exercises this year. Their examinations were close, their report to the Governor wholly favorable, and their recommendation of the continuance of the appropriation unhesitating, the closing words of their report being: “Who can doubt the wisdom of continuing the appropriation?”
The State of Mississippi was represented at the Commencement exercises at Tougaloo by her Superintendent of Education and other influential citizens, who, after careful inspection, gave public assurance of State aid. The first instalment, we are confident, will reach us this fall. Soon after the war, when this State was under Republican rule, it granted aid to Tougaloo. Under changed political control, this grant was for a time withheld, but now while overwhelming Democratic majorities are regularly reported, the proffer of aid is renewed. The significance of the fact is that both political parties, much as they may differ on other points, are agreed in sustaining the Tougaloo University.
Another evidence of such appreciation is found in the attendance at our school anniversaries, of persons who represent public sentiment. At Hampton, President Hayes, Secretary Schurz, the Governor and an ex-Governor of Massachusetts were present; at Berea, the audience numbered probably 1,800 or 2,000 persons, two-thirds being of the white race; at Fisk, there was reported “a crowded house;” at Atlanta, the audience was packed; at Straight University, New Orleans, it is reported that “the audience, both in numbers and intelligent appreciation, was one of the best ever gathered for the purpose in the city.” Our work is not now done in a corner, nor under the ban of good people, North or South.