on at New Orleans, issue a call for a
conference at that point, and thereby have a representative gathering to
obtain their views. I therefore proposed, had printed and issued the
following:

CALL FOR A CONFERENCE ON "SCHOOLS OF TRADE."

"Emancipated, turned loose, poor, ignorant and houseless, continually
surrounded by difficulties and embarrassments sufficient to appall and
retard, by commendable effort on their part, sustained by the generous
aid of philanthropists friendly to education, our race in the South has
made gratifying advance, mentally and morally. But with this progress of
mind and morals, we are confronted with the need of opportunity to
qualify ourselves for those activities and industries necessary to make
a people prosperous and happy. Our great want now is 'cunning hands' to
accompany cultured brains. After obtaining the benefit of our public
schools our boys should be fitted for some useful and profitable means
of livelihood. The restrictions engendered by trades unions, and the
obstacles of race prejudice concur to make it impossible for them to
obtain trades in the workshops of the country. Therefore, we need
industrial schools where our youth can qualify in the various mechanical
pursuits and thereby ennoble themselves, and add value to the State. For
the establishment of these "schools of trade" we require a united effort
and should make earnest appeal to the philanthropy of the nation.

"In view of this vital necessity the undersigned do hereby call a
conference, without distinction, of delegates appointed by mass
meetings in cities and counties; presiding officers of colleges,
principals of schools, bishops, and leading ministers; editors and
publishers friendly to the movement are also invited to meet at New
Orleans, La., January 15, 1885, for expression on this subject. Signed,

"M. W. Gibbs, Little Rock, Ark.; Hon. J. C. Napier, Nashville,
Tenn.; A. De Pose, New Orleans, La.; Hon. J. C. Clousen,
Charleston, S. C.; Rev. B. F. Tanner, Philadelphia, Pa.; Joseph
Carey, Galveston, Tex.; H. C. Smith, Cleveland, Ohio; W. G.
Simmons, Louisville, Ky.; Peter H. Clark, Cincinnati, Ohio;
Hon. B. K. Bruce, Washington, D. C.; P. A. Bell, San Francisco,
Cal.; J. W. Cromwell, Washington, D. C.; J. Henri Herbert,
Trenton, N. J.; Hon. Henry Demas, New Orleans, La.; Rev. E.
Lee, Jacksonville, Fla.; W. H. Russell, Indianapolis, Ind.; F.
L. Barnett, Chicag