Viewing page 21 of 89

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

34
way of securing state aid for your school then. Should have moved in the matter earlier had I known the situation after your visit.
Very respectfully Yours,
Wm. M. Colby,
Asst Supt of Schools.
#42 Little Rock, Ark.
April 16th 1969.
[[Alwood]] Rev. J.W.,
Gen'l Supt. of Schools,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipts of your favor of the 26th February which came to hand March 19th. The package of Form No. 5 came in due time.
Your very valuable suggestions are being carried out in my District (embracing about one-half the counties of the state,) as fast and as far as practicable.  My March report shows a few additional schools organized and a better feeling everywhere prevailing.  At the same time less is done by local school officers than should be done to forward the school interest of the freedmen. While the State Supt. of Pub. Instruction is a friend of equal rights and privileges for all, the school law in so framed and administered that he is shorn of nearly all power over and influence with the school officers: otherwise we should hope to be more Successful than we have been in securing state 
35
patronage for the colored schools.
In spite of these and of all discouragements, however, by judicious management we expect to secure the state patronage, for a term varying from three to six months, for all schools in the District.
Very grateful to superior officers for their continued forbearance and support, I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Wm M. Colby,
Asst Supt of Schools.
2nd Dist. Ark.
#43 Little Rock, Ark,
April 18th, 1869.
[[Alwood]] Rev. J.W.
Genl Supt of Schools,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor respectfully to acknowledge the receipt this day of 100 Ed. Forms No. 2. and 50 manual on School [[Houses]].
Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Wm M. Colby,
Asst Sup't of Schools.
2nd Dist. Ark.