The recent burning of the boys’ dormitory at Tougaloo, Miss., compels us to build anew, and the over-crowding of students compels us to build larger.
We must rebuild or abandon the school. The latter we dare not do. The colored population in the State exceeds the white, numbering 652,221, and has increased over 46 per cent. in the last ten years. Tougaloo University is seven miles north of Jackson, the capital, and there is no similar school of higher grade admitting colored students nearer than about 200 miles south, east, or north, and none much nearer west. The Institution has 500 acres of land attached to it, giving employment to the students, and it has the good-will of the State Legislature, which makes an annual grant to support teachers.
The school at Tougaloo has long been over-crowded. It has comfortable rooms for 32 young women, but 60 are in attendance, three being put in the small rooms, and sitting-rooms being converted into sleeping apartments. One room needed for the accommodation of teachers was taken and ten young women put into it. Some applications were refused. There were, before the fire, accommodations for 28 young men, with 50 in attendance, the overflow being crowded into most unsuitable and inconvenient quarters.
The students, in summer vacations, teach about 4,000 pupils in day schools and Sunday-schools, and secure from 1,000 to 1,500 names to the temperance pledge.
The Executive Committee, a few months since, authorized the gradual enlargement of the girls’ dormitory as funds would permit. For a new boys’ dormitory it was hoped that $10,000 might be spared from the generous gift of Mrs. Stone, but the definite pledges to other institutions and the increased price of labor and materials forbid it. We had scarcely more than realized this disappointment when the boys’ dormitory was destroyed by fire. The best temporary arrangements possible have been made, including the use of the barn, which the boys have occupied cheerfully, calling it “Ayrshire Hall,” but they have suffered much from cold in inclement weather.
Fourteen thousand dollars is the lowest sum for which a boys’ dormitory and chapel can be erected. Three thousand dollars will be required for the enlargement of the girls’ dormitory. Two thousand dollars will be necessary for furnishing; making a total of $19,000. Three thousand dollars, the insurance on the burned building, will reduce the sum needed to $16,000.
The building and improvements should begin at once, to get them ready for use in the fall. The Executive Committee, feeling the call to be imperative, will go forward immediately, relying upon our friends to furnish the means as a special contribution: for our ordinary income will be taxed to the utmost to carry on our current work.
We make an earnest appeal to the friends whom we believe to be both able and willing to aid us effectually and promptly in this pressing emergency.
Funds may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York.