To The Trustees Of The Tuskegee Normal And Industrial Institute:

Gentlemen.--there has not been a year since freedom came to the Negro, that has witnessed such widespread discussion, both North and South, of all phases of his condition, as the present one. I cannot rid myself of the feeling that much, if not all this discussion, is going to prove most helpful to the Negro's education and general development.

I am of the opinion that there is more thoughtful interest in the Negro at the present time, than has ever existed. The mere spasmodic and sentimental interest in him has been, in a large degree, replaced by the more substantial, thoughtful kind, based upon a comprehension of the facts.

One is often surprised at the misleading and unfounded statements made regarding the progress of the Negro, but these very exaggerations serve a good purpose in causing individuals to seek facts for themselves.

The Value and For example, I have recently seen a statement going Purpose of going the rounds of the press, to the effect that out of Industrial of 1,200 students educated at industrial schools, only twelve Education. were farming, and three working at the trades for which they were educated. Whether the Tuskegee Institute was included in this list, I do not know.

It is to be regretted that those who presume to speak with authority on the advancement of the Negro, do not in more cases actually visit him, where they can see his better life. Few of the people who make discouraging statements regarding him, have ever taken the trouble to inspect his home life, his school life, his church life, or his business or industrial life. It is always misleading to judge any race or community by its worst. The Negro race should, like other races, be judged by its best types, rather than by its worst.

Any one who judges of the value of industrial education by the mere number who actually follow the industry or trade learned at a school, makes a mistake. One might as well judge of the value of arithmetic by the number of people who spend their time after leaving school, in working out problems in arithmetic.

The chief value of industrial education is to give to the students habits of industry, thrift, economy and an idea of the dignity of labour. But in addition to this, in the present economic condition of the colored people, it is most important that a very large proportion of those trained in such institutions as this, actually spend their time at industrial occupations. Let us value the work of Tuskegee by this test: On January 10th of this school year, we dedicated the Slater-Armstrong Memorial Trades' Building. This building is in the form of a double Greek cross and, in its main dimension, is 283 x 315 feet, and is two stories high. The plans of this building were drawn by our instructor in mechanical drawing a colored man. Eight hundred thousand bricks were required to construct it, and every one of them was manufactured by our students, while learning the trade of brickmaking. All the bricks were laid into the building by students who were being taught the trade of brickmasonry. The plastering, carpentry work, painting and tin-roofing, were done by students while learning these trades. The whole number of students who received training on this building alone was about one hundred and ninety-six. It is to be lighted by electricity and all the electric fixtures are being put in by students who are learning electrical engineering. The power to operate the machinery in electrical engineering. The power to operate the machinery in this building comes from a one hundred and twenty-five horse power engine and a seventy-five horse-power boiler. All this machinery is not only operated by students who are learning the trade of steam engineering, but was installed by students under the guidance of their instructor.

Let us take another example, that of agriculture: Our students actually cultivate every day, seven hundred acres of land, while studying agriculture. The students studying dairying, actually milk and care for seventy-five milch cows daily. Besides, they, of course, take care of l the dairy products. All of this is 00055done while learning the industry of dairying. The whole number of students receiving instruction in the divisions of Agriculture and Dairying the past year, is one hundred and forty-two.

The students who are receiving training in farming, have cared for six hundred and nineteen head of hogs this year, and so, I could go on and give not theory, nor hearsay, but actual facts, gleaned from all the departments of the school.

Tuskegee It does not look reasonable that, of all the large number Graduates of students engaged upon the farms and in the diary, that only Work at Their about one per cent, should make any practical use of their Trades. knowledge after leaving Tuskegee. But this is not the fact. The best place to get a true estimate of an individual is at his home. The same is true of an institution. Let us take for example, Macon Country, Alabama, in which the Tuskegee Institute is located. By a careful investigation, it is found that there are not less than thirty-five graduates and former students in Macon Country and the town of Tuskegee alone who are working at trades or industries which they learned at this institution. At the present time, a large, two-story brick building is going up in the town of Tuskegee that is to be used as a store. In the first place, the store is owned by a graduate of this institution. From the making of the brick to the completion of all the details of this building, the work is being done by graduates or former students of this school; and so the examples could be multiplied. Following the graduates a and former students into the outer world. The record is as follows: A careful examination shows that at least three-fourths of them are actually using during the whole time, or a part of the time, the industrial knowledge which they gained here. Even those who do not use this knowledge in making a living, use it as housekeepers in their private homes, and those who teach in the public schools, either directly or indirectly, use it in helping their pupils.

Aside from all that I have said, it must be kept in mind that the whole subject of industrial training on any large and systematic scale is new, and besides, is confined to a very few institutions in the South. Industrial training could not be expected to revolutionize the progress of a race within ten or fifteen years. At 00056the present time the call for graduates from this institution to take positions as instructors of industries in other smaller institutions, as well as in city schools, is so urgent and constant that many of our graduates who would work independently at their trades, are not permitted to do so. In fact, one of the most regretful things in connection with our whole work, is that the calls for our graduates are so many more than we can supply. As the demand for instructors in industrial branches of various schools becomes supplied, a still larger percentage of graduates will use their knowledge of the trades in independent occupations.

The Masses One thing which every Negro institution should seek to Should Remain do, is the giving of such training as will result in In Rural creating an influence that will keep the masses of the colored Districts. people in the rural districts. This should be done both in the interest of the white man and in the interest of the Negro, himself. Every land-owner needs every laborer he can secure. The Negro is not so much in demand in cities as in the country. The colored man is at his best in the rural districts, where he is kept away from the demoralizing influences of city life, and besides, in most cases, the competition in the cities is too severe for him. The only way to keep the colored man in the rural districts and away from the cities, is to give him first-class agricultural training, to the extent that he will not consider farming a drudgery and a degradation, but will see in farm life dignity and beauty. It should, then, be borne in mind that any agitation which makes the Negro feel that he is likely to be deprived of school privileges in the country for the cities.

The Introduction The demand for the introduction of industrial or of Industrial manual training into the public schools of both the cities Training into and the country, has become so wide-spread throughout the Public Schools. South, that this institution is constantly appealed to for information and help. Besides numerous letters from school officials, we are having visits from school superintendents and boards of education, seeking such information as will enable them to introduce our methods into their schools. In connection with this subject however, I wish 00067it thoroughly understood that I do not advocate the lowering of the mental standard as I understand is proposed by the public school boards of one, or two of our Southern cities. No race can be elevated till its mind is awakened and strengthened. In order that we may meet these demands in the best manner, we ought to have an addition to our present industrial department for the older students, a model primary school that will serve as an object lesson to those who want to get information as to the manner of introducing manual and industrial training into the public schools. The present primary school of 176 pupils, which is taught upon the grounds, will serve as a foundation. To carry out the plan that I have mentioned, we should have a new and larger building and the location should be where there is plenty of land that can be used for their purpose of teaching, among other things, simple lessons in gardening, to the small children. In addition to the usual class rooms, such a building should contain space for teaching kindergarten, mechanical drawing, carpentry, sewing, cooking and laundering. There should also be a place for bathing. Such a building, well equipped, would cost about $2000. I urge this as one of our most pressing needs. Few things would so much extend the influence for good in all parts of the South as the securing of this building.

Attendance and The average attendance for the school year has been Growth of 1,083; 321 young women, and 762 young men. The total the School enrollment has been 1,231; 359 young women and 872 young men. Nine-tenths of the number have boarded and slept on the school grounds.

In all the departments, including officers, clerks and instructors, 103 persons are in the employ of the school. Counting students, officers and teachers, together with their families, the total number of persons constantly upon the school grounds, is about 1,200. Students have come to us from 27 States and territories, from Africa, Porto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica and Barbadoes. There are 12 students from Cuba alone.

During the present school year students have been trained in the following 28 industries, in addition to the religious and academic training: Agriculture, Dairying, Horticulture, Stock raising, 00078Blacksmithing, Brickmasonry, Carpentry, Carriage Trimming, Cooking, Architectural, Freehand and Mechanical Drawing, Plain Sewing, Plastering, Plumbing, Printing, Sawmilling, Founding, Housekeeping, Harnessmaking, Electrical Engineering, Laundering, Machinery, Mattress-making, Millinery, Nurse Training, Painting, Shoemaking, Tailoring, Tinning and Wheelwrighting.

This year we have made progress in the matter of training young women in outdoor occupations. Beginning with this school year, we are now giving a number of girls training in poultry raising, bee culture, dairying, gardening, fruit growing, etc. In this climate there is no reason why women should not be trained in such industries, and thereby get a knowledge which will command a good living and enable them to live at the same time out in the open fresh air. A large hennery is now being built, and it will be almost wholly under the supervision of our girls. The electric lighting has been extended to the point where about one-half the buildings are now lighted by electricity.

Notwithstanding the stress put upon industrial training, we are not in any degree neglecting normal training for those who are to teach in the public schools. The number of graduates this year from all the departments is 51. In addition to religious and academic training, each one of these graduates has had training at some trade or industry. In considering the number that go out each year, account should be taken of those who are well trained, but who are unable to remain long enough to graduate. Our graduates and former students are now scattered all over the South, and wherever they can, they not only help the colored people, but use their influence in cultivating friendly relations between the races.

While our work is not sectarian, it is thoroughly Christian, and the growth in the religious tone of the school is most gratifying. We have had more visits this year than ever from Southern white people, who are more and more showing their interest in our effort.

Financial. The total cash receipts for the year, including endowment, beneficiary and building funds, as well as for current expenses, have been $236,163.40. The current expenses 00089for the year have been $75,992.59. The bulk of the remainder of the cash receipts went into Endowment Fund and into the permanent improvement of the plant, in the way of buildings, machinery, etc. As to the details of the financial condition of the institution, I refer you to the report of the treasurer, Mr. Warren Logan.

The main sources of income of the institution are as follows: State of Alabama$ 4,500 00.John F. Slater Fund 11,000 00.Peabody Fund1,500 00.Frothingham Fund700 00.Society for Propagating the Gospel500 00.Entrance Fees paid by students1,234 00.Interest from Endowment Funds 3,530 98.

The other portion of the funds necessary to carry on the work of the school comes mainly from individuals, Sunday Schools, missionary societies and churches.

An especial effort in which ex-President Grover Cleveland took special interest, has been made during the past year to secure a partial endowment fund of at least $500,000. I am glad to say that, counting a gift of 50 bonds from Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Huntington, the Endowment Fund has now been increased to $152,232.49.

The Temporary Relief Fund of $50,000 referred to in my last report, which some friends in Boston began raising two years ago at the suggestion of Mr. H. A. Wilder, has proved most helpful in relieving the Principal in some degree from the daily strain of collecting money.

Friends in New York who do not permit their names to be known, have given us through one of our Trustees, Mr. W. H. Baldwin, Jr. $9,717.13 to be used in meeting special needs. The bulk of this money is being used to enlarge the hennery, to erect a dairy house, and a large dairy barn.

Every possible means are used to keep the expenses of the school down to the lowest possible point. During the present year circumstances have forced us to make some additions to the plant, for which we did not have the money, but I believe that the wisdom of these expenditures will appear in reduced expenditures 000910in the future. The smallpox, which appeared two years ago, compelled the destruction of cabins which had to be replaced by new barracks. Aside from this, we found it necessary to erect two small buildings to be used in case of contagious diseases. Added to this was the erection of a teacher's cottage, the enlargement of the dining room, the introduction of steam heating and electric lighting into several buildings, and the putting of new machinery into the laundry, and cooking apparatus into the kitchen. All of these were expenses which could not be avoided, and for which there were no funds. Next year there will be little reason, I think, for departing from the principle to contract no debts for improvements till the money is in hand to make payment.

The erection of the following buildings, for which funds have been secured, is now proceeding in a satisfactory manner: Huntington Hall, the Girls' Industrial Building, the Hennery, the Dairy House and Dairy barn.

The life of this school depends upon small gifts which carry with them the good will and active interest of hundreds of the best people throughout the country. In addition to the smaller gifts, we have received during the year among other donations, the following:

TOWARDS THE ENDOWMENT FUND.Mrs. Alfred T. White$1,000 00.Mrs. J. B. Ames500 00.A Friend, Columbus, Ohio.25,000 00.Mrs. George Faulkner 1,000 00.Mrs. E.P. Stillman and daughter1,000 00.Friends in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Lewis. 1,000 00A Friend, Philadelphia, Pa 5,000 00.Mrs. Harriet A. Soutworth and daughter1,000 00.Miss Emily Howland1,000 00.Mrs. Leroy King 2,000 00.Mrs. A. M. Harris1,000 00.Mr. John E. Parsons500 00.Mr. George Foster Peabody 1,000 00.001011Miss H. W. Kendall500 00Mr. H. W. Maxwell500 00.Mr. Oswald Offendorfer500 00.Hon. Seth Low1,000 00.Estate of Mrs. Mary M. Brown1,805 10.

Besides those mentioned above, Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Huntington have given $50,000 toward the Endowment Fund.

For general and special purposes, aside from endowment, the following amounts are among the principal ones given during the year:Estate of Mr. Robert C. Billings $ 8,000 00. Estate of Mr. H. E. Hecox500 00. Mr. John D. Rockefeller 12,500 00. Mrs. Julia Billings1,000 00. Mrs. Eleanor C. Morris1,000 00. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Dodge2,000 00. Friends, through Mr. Wm. H. Baldwin, Jr9,717 00 Hon. W. Bourke Cockran500 00. Mr. H. A. Wildner, for Painting Buildings600 00.

The gift of a large 75 horse-power boiler and 125 horse-power engine, also given by Mr. C. P. Huntington, of New York, has added much to the efficiency of our industrial department.

We are also indebted to Mr. Wm. E. Dodge for an outfit for our shoemaking division.

Needs. I repeat what I have often said, that it is very necessary that every thing at this institution be done in the very best manner, because so many look to us for example.

Among our greatest needs at present are:$2,000 for Model School building, as already described.$10,000 for better equipment of industrial departments.$4,000 for hospital building.$20,000 for Library and Administration building.$15,000 for dormitory for young men.$40,000 for steam heating.$348,000 to bring the endowment up to $500,000.Five teachers' cottages, cost $1,200 each.

In closing this report, I would say that my feeling grows stronger each year that the main thing that we want to be sure of is that Negro is making progress day by day. With constant, tangible, visible, indisputable progress being made evident, all the minor details regarding the adjustment of our position in the body politic will, in a natural way, settle themselves.

Respectfully Submitted:BOOKER T. WASHINGTON,Principal.Tuskegee, Ala., May 30, 1900.