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Remarks accompanying Tabular Statement of Priv. Schools for Colored Children in Norfolk & Portsmouth Va.

The School taught by Miss Skinner, owes its existence to Members of the Society of Friends in N. York City, who wish to test the expediency and practicability of supporting colored teachers by the paid tuition of pupils, thus raising up schools which, as to the colored people themselves, shall be independent of extraneous influences.
These Friends guarantee a certain support to Miss Skinner in case of a failure of income from the School; but she is to collect from the pupils, if possible, the entire support.
The experiment is under favorable auspices, & promises success. Miss Skinner is well adapted to success. She is a graduate of the New Haven High school, New Haven Coun. of pleasing manners, & good culture. In appearance her School compares favorable with those of white teachers, and is incomparably superior to all the other pay Schools visited. The number of pupils has risen in ten month from 2 to 31. The tuition bills are however paid with but little promptness.
I suggest that the "Friends" be encouraged to test thoroughly this question which has interested them so far. And that the Patrons of Miss Skinner be requested to furnish her with a good School House, & appliances of Education - things of which she is now obstitute. It may aid in leading to action on the part of others, which may result in special Efforts to Establish Normal Schools for Colored teachers.- the great question which the experiment affects, or it is nothing. These N. Schools, so long talked of & desired, can not be established without special funds for School Building's, and the societies are not clear as to their ability to manage that matter. They must however be Eventually instituted (Congremonial appropriation or not) and this experiment involves an important point i.e. the support of teachers, after preparation. It is thought that official recommendation will encourage contributions for a suitable building for experiment.
Other & less worthy motives furnish the Animus for the support of the private schools. Among those declared are "Desire to support their own people rather than foreigners" (Meaning northern teachers) a very southern sentiment. There is also the impression that it is "more respectable" to send to private schools". And again, some affirm that "they can pay and that thus room is left, for those who cannot, in the public schools".
But it does not appear that those sending, are pupils of parents whose respectability, or pecuniary ability exceeds those of pupils in public schools.