out of doors in pots and the principal entrance requirement was a
'desire to make something of himself' a young man, Jailous Perdue,
came to Tuskegee to get an education. He was financially poor and
intellectually dull. Examinations he could not pass. After struggling
along for several years and accumulating a lot of examination
failures, he decided to quit school, go out to work and help educate
his sisters. Although he had failed in his literary subjects, he had
nevertheless got an education in how to use his hands. He had learned
to be a carpenter. Out in the world he went and began to work at his
trade. As soon as he had earned a little money he placed three of his
sisters in school at Tuskegee, and with the help of his brother
Augustus, who had graduated some time before, supported two of them
there for three years and one for four years.
"In the meantime he had succeeded at his trade and gone into business
for himself at Montgomery, Ala., as a contractor and builder. Here
also he was successful and did thousands of dollars' worth of work. No
job was too small nor too large for him to make a bid on. If he did
not have a contract of his own he was not above working for some other
contractor, and as a result he was always busy. He has superintended
the construction of some of the largest buildings in Montgomery. Among
the buildings the erection of which he has superintended are the
Exchange Hotel, at a cost of $150,000; the First Baptist Church, at a
cost of $175,000; the First National Bank Building, at a cost of
$350,000; and the Bell Building, at a cost of $450,000. Perdue also
assisted as foreman or assistant foreman in erecting many of the
important buildings at Tuskegee Institute, such as the Principal's
house, the chapel, the library, Rockefeller Hall, the Academic
Building, and the Millbank Agricultural Building.
"It is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Perdue has accumulated
property or that he owns a good home in Montgomery, for in these
progressive days every black man in the South with any foresight is
investing some part of his earnings in property. The most interesting
and somewhat remarkable thing about the career of Perdue and the
greatest measure of his success is that twenty-three years after he
had left Tuskegee a literary failure he was asked to come back and
become a member of the faculty as an instructor in carpentry. Thus it
was that the man who failed succeeded and returned to the scene of his
failure a success. Perdue was constantly encouraged by Mr. Washington.
He came under the type of those who were not brilliant, but who were
always in his opinion worthy of help and encouragement."
Washington A. Tate was even duller in books than Perdue. During his
early years at Tuskegee he seemed unable to grasp the most
rudimentary information. His native dullness was made unpleasant and
aggressive by a combative disposition. He was constantly trying to
prove to his exasperated teachers that he knew what he did not know.
He was almost twenty-five years of age when he reached the Institute
and entered the lowest primary grade. He had the greatest difficulty
in passing any examinations and never succeeded in passing all that
were required. Motions were constantly made and passed in faculty
meetings to drop Tate, and were as constantly vetoed by Mr. Washington
on the plea of giving him one more chance. Finally when Tate's time to
graduate came the teachers in a body protested against giving him a
diploma. Mr. Washington argued that a man who had made all the
sacrifices Tate had made at his age to stay in school, a man who had
worked early and late in fair weather and foul for the school, a man
who had stuck to his task in the face of repeated failures and
discouragements, had in him something better than the mere ability to
pass examinations. Through Mr. Washington's intercession for him Tate
got his diploma. The next day Mr. Washington had him employed to take
charge of the school's piggery. Because of his hard, conscientious,
and effective work in this capacity he was afterward recommended to
the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington as the
proper man to take charge of the United States demonstration work in
Macon County, Ala. Tate proved to be one of the Government's most
successful demonstration agents. He is now farming successfully on
his own account in an adjoining county.
Booker Washington, as previously pointed out, saw very much more
clearly than most educators that education's only purpose and sole
justification lies in preparation for right living. A man who has
passed all manner of examinations may not be prepared to live rightly
and hence may not justly claim to be educated. A man who has failed to
pass examinations may be prepared for right living and hence may
justly be called an educated man. In other words, Booker Washington
realized that education was primarily a matter of the development of
character and only secondarily a matter of the acquisition of
information.
CHAPTER TEN
RAISING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS A YEAR
During recent years the expenses of Tuskegee Institute have run to
between $250,000 and $300,000 a year. Of this sum Booker Washington
had to raise over $100,000 annually aside from the large sums
constantly demanded for new equipment such as the great central
heating and power plant which was installed in 1915 at a cost of more
than $245,000.
At the ceremonies commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
founding of Tuskegee Institute President Charles W. Eliot of Harvard
was one of the speakers. He said that one of his "first impressions of
Tuskegee Institute," after just a glimpse, was "that the oldest and
now largest American Institution of learning was more than 200 years
arriving at the possession of much less land, fewer buildings, and a
smaller quick capital than Tuskegee had come to possess in twenty-five
years. That's just a fact," he said, "Harvard University was not as
rich after living two hundred years among the people of Massachusetts
as Tuskegee is to-day, after having lived twenty-five years among the
people of Alabama. And that's the first impression that I have
received here.
[Illustration: In 1906, the Tuskegee Institute celebrated its 25th
anniversary. In the group above appear such well-known American
characters as Dr. William J. Schieffelin, New York; Dr. H.B. Frissell,
Hampton Institute, Va.; J.G. Phelps Stokes, philanthropist, New York;
Isaac N. Seligman, banker, New York; Dr. Lyman Abbott, editor of the
_Outlook_; Dr. Wallace Buttrick, Secretary General Education Board;
William G. Willcox, now President of the New York Board of Education;
Robert C. Ogden, philanthropist, New York; Andrew Carnegie, and Miss
Clara Spence of the Spence School, with numbers of their friends.]
"This evening I have received another impression from your Principal.
He said that the great need of Tuskegee, to-day, was a considerable
sum of money, which could be used at the discretion of the Trustees,
to fill gaps, to make improvements, and to enlarge and strengthen the
different branches of the institution. Now I should not find it
possible to state in more precise terms the present needs of Harvard
University. The needs of these two institutions, situated, to be sure,
in very different communities, and founded on very different dates,
are precisely the same." This comparison is the more striking when we
realize that President Eliot had at the time been at the head of
Harvard University for thirty years, five years longer than Tuskegee
had been in existence--President Eliot of whom it was said, "When he
goes to rich men they just throw up their hands and say, 'Don't shoot!
How much do you want?'"
The magnitude of Booker Washington's financial task is indicated in
his last annual report which he made to his Trustees in 1915. He
reported:
"As of May 31st, we have received from all sources for current
expenses $268,825.17; for buildings and improvements, $28,919.47; for
endowment, $28,102.09; from undesignated legacies, $53,858.10, making
the total receipts for the purposes named for the year $379,704.83.
"The gifts to the Endowment Fund for the year amounting to $28,102.09
now make the Fund stand at $1,970,214.17.
"The budget recommended for your consideration for the new year calls
for an expenditure for current expenses, repairs, renewals, and
equipment of $291,567.92...."
Later in the report he said: "Notwithstanding the depressed financial
condition of a large part of the country, I feel it would be a great
mistake for us in any degree to slacken our efforts to keep the school
before the public or to get funds. I believe, as Dr. H.B. Frissell,
Principal of the Hampton Institute, has often expressed it, that a
large part of the mission of both Hampton and Tuskegee is to keep the
cause of Negro education before the country, and that the benefits
coming from such efforts of publicity do not confine themselves alone
to Hampton and Tuskegee, but benefit all the schools in the South.
With this end in view, I very much hope that the Trustees may see
their way clear to encourage and help us as far as possible in holding
a number of large public meetings during the coming year." These were
brave words for a dying man. Five months later he died of sheer
exhaustion shortly after addressing one of these "large public
meetings." They also show the breadth of his conception of his task.
You will note that he points out that such publicity as he urges,
"benefits all the schools in the South"--not merely the schools for
Negroes, but "all the schools." It never occurred to him to limit his
sense of responsibility to his own school nor even to the schools for
his own race. As previously mentioned he would sometimes devote an
entire public address to an appeal for more and better schools for the
poor whites of the South.
Booker Washington's money-raising efforts consumed two-thirds of his
time and perhaps even more of his strength and energy. He planned
these money-raising campaigns just as carefully as a good general
plans a military campaign. His last big money-raising campaign was
conducted during June, 1915. He and the Trustees of the Institute had
been engaged for two or three years in the effort to raise the money
to complete the cost of the central power and heating plant, but
nearly $100,000 of the $245,000 needed had not been raised. This
burden bore heavily upon him. At last, with the approval of the
Trustees, he decided to make one last herculean effort not only to
raise this huge sum, but in addition, the money necessary to end the
school year free of debt. For this purpose he formulated a plan of
campaign by which five representatives of the school should cover the
chief centres of population throughout the Northern and Middle Western
States. This was the outline of the territorial assignments of the
collectors:
Frank P. Chisholm: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Connecticut--important centre--Boston.
Charles W. Wood: New York east of Syracuse, and Binghamton--important
centre--New York City.
Jesse O. Thomas: New York west of Syracuse and Binghamton,
Pennsylvania--important centre--Philadelphia.
John D. Stevenson: Illinois, Wisconsin--important centre--Chicago.
Clarence A. Powell: Michigan, Ohio--important centres--Detroit and
Cleveland.
Each representative carried letters of introduction to leading men and
women in the various centres throughout his territory. All these
letters were personally signed by Mr. Washington. At the close of each
day each collector telegraphed Mr. Washington at Tuskegee giving the
amount of subscriptions and pledges he had secured that day. The next
morning Mr. Washington wired each collector, stating the total amount
of gifts and pledges secured by all five collectors. When the Trustees
met in New York City, on the last Thursday of June, 1915, all but four
or five thousand dollars of the over $245,000 had been raised.
The Trustees themselves made up the difference by increasing by this
amount their own subscriptions. Thus was successfully concluded the
last great and difficult task which Booker Washington was to be
permitted to perform.
Of the hundreds of invitations to speak here, there, and everywhere
which kept pouring in upon him certain ones he definitely accepted
because of the money-raising opportunities either direct or indirect
which they offered; others of less promise he tentatively accepted to
fall back upon in case the more desirable ones for any reason
miscarried. Chautauqua engagements he considered only where they
provided an opportunity for direct appeal for contributions for the
work, or at least the chance to distribute printed matter. Chautauqua
bureaus offering him as much as half the gate receipts above $500 in
addition to a guarantee of $300 a night he turned down out of hand if
they did not include one or both of these opportunities. No matter how
much money they offered he would never accept such propositions unless
they carried with them some opportunity to make a direct appeal for
his work. It was sometimes suggested to him that he might receive
these fees personally and then turn them over to the school. This he
declined to do because he was unwilling to give even the appearance of
capitalizing his reputation and oratorical gifts for his personal
enrichment. Booker Washington was not one of those simple-hearted
individuals who are guided solely by what they deem inherently right.
He always strove to avoid the appearance of evil as well as the evil
itself; and, with one unhappy exception, he always succeeded. He fully
realized that his conduct was under constant scrutiny by enemies in
both races eager to find some pretext to drag him down. So circumspect
was he in his behavior that once only between the time he became a
national character in 1895 until his death twenty years later did his
critics succeed in distorting any deed of his into the semblance of
misconduct. The very nature of the charge in this one instance was
sufficient refutation for any person acquainted in even the slightest
degree with the man's life, work, or character.
The press as well as the platform he constantly used to keep his work
before the public for money-raising purposes. He had as good a "nose
for a story" as the best of reporters, and every story that came his
way was sure to find its way into print. No matter how driven with
pressing matters nor how tired he never denied himself to "the
newspaper boys." He believed that the more prominence, the more
"limelight," he could secure the better, provided he used it for the
promotion of his work. Thus he presented the apparent anomaly of being
at the same time one of the most modest and unassuming of men and also
one of the greatest advertisers of his day.
As well as the general press of both races he constantly used the
school press for money-raising purposes. The school paper which
circulates among donors and prospective donors as well as among the
students, teachers, and graduates carries in each issue brief
statements of some immediate and pressing needs and the money required
to satisfy them. These needs are set forth in the following manner:
"WHAT $1,700 WILL DO"
"For a long while an important part of our extension work
and publicity work has been greatly hindered and hampered
because of the lack of a new and up-to-date printing press.
"One thousand and seven hundred dollars will supply us with
this long-felt need and greatly add to the value and
influence of our work."
"WHAT $3,000 WILL DO"
"One of our very greatest and most practical needs is a well
but simply equipped Canning Factory. Three thousand dollars
would help us to properly equip the Canning Factory we
already have at Tuskegee. The factory will help not only in
preserving large quantities of vegetables, fruits, berries,
etc., during the summer, but at the same time could be used
as a means of teaching large numbers of our girls a useful
industry, and, more than that, the products could be used to
sustain the institution during the winter months.
"We could not only use everything that might be put up in
cans here at the school in feeding the students and
teachers, but there is an increasing demand among the
merchants of the South, in the large cities, for anything we
can produce on the school grounds.
"We very much wish that some friend might see his way clear
to give $3,000 with which to properly equip this factory."
The need for a new laundry building with equipment, a foundry, and a
veterinary hospital were similarly presented. The funds to meet each
of these needs were received as a result of these appeals, and a new
list of needs is now being advertised.
In concluding his annual report each year Mr. Washington would
summarize the immediate needs of the institution. In his last report
he thus stated them:
1. $50 a year for annual scholarships for tuition for one
student, the student himself providing for his own board and
other personal expenses in labor and cash.
2. $1,200 for permanent scholarships.
3. Money for operating expenses in any amounts, however
small.
4. $2,000 each for four teachers' cottages.
5. $40,000 for a building for religious purposes.
6. $16,000 to complete the Boys' Trades Building.
7. $50,000 for a Boys' Dormitory.
8. $50,000 for a Girls' Dormitory.
9. An addition to our Endowment Fund of at least $3,000,000.
A few months later, as he lay dying in a New York hospital, the
following letter was received for him at Tuskegee. It was at once
forwarded and passed him on his last journey to his home in the South.
He never saw it. The donor, a Northern friend who withholds his name,
has renewed the offer to the Trustees and they have accepted it.
_November 8, 1915._
_Dr. Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama._
DEAR MR. WASHINGTON: I have read your annual report and also
your treasurer's report, and make you the following
proposition: If you will raise enough money to pay all of
your debts up to May 1, 1916, and add two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars to your endowment fund, I will give you the
sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for your
building fund, to be used in building the items such as Nos.
4, 6, 7, 8, and the "Barnes, etc.," mentioned under the head
of "Special Needs," and for objects of similar character.
The above does not include item No. 5, "Building for
religious purposes," as I am not interested in that sort of
work. I shall be glad to know whether this proposition
interests you.
Yours very truly,
---- ----.
The interest of this giver was first _aroused_ by his reading "Up from
Slavery" when it appeared in book form in 1901. As soon as he had read
the book he sent Dr. Washington a check for $10,000 for his work
which he has renewed each year since until he made the above offer.
"Up from Slavery" has brought more money to Tuskegee than all the
other books, articles, speeches, and circulars written by Mr.
Washington himself and the many others who have written or spoken
about him and his work. Among its larger immediate results, aside from
awakening the interest of the anonymous giver already mentioned, was
its similar effect upon the late H.H. Rogers, Vice-President and
active head at the time of the Standard Oil Company, and upon Andrew
Carnegie. Mr. Rogers became so much interested that he not only gave
large sums for the general needs of Tuskegee but eventually financed a
large part of the rural school extension work, which has been
described in earlier chapters, and which is now so important a part of
the school's activities. Under Booker Washington's inspiration and
guidance, too, Mr. Rogers later combined railroad building with race
building. In building his Virginia railroad he undertook a
wide-reaching work in agricultural education among the Negro farmers
living within carting distance of his road. Booker Washington had
demonstrated to his satisfaction that by increasing at the same time
their wants and their ability to gratify their wants he would be
building up business for his railroad.
Shortly after the publication in 1901 of "Up from Slavery," Frank N.
Doubleday, of Doubleday, Page & Co., the publishers of the book, in
playing golf with Mr. Carnegie mentioned Booker Washington and told
him something of his life. Mr. Carnegie was interested and wanted to
know more. Mr. Doubleday gave him a copy of "Up from Slavery." After
reading the book he immediately got into communication with the
author, told him of his interest in his life and work, and of his
desire to help him. The result was that Mr. Carnegie agreed to pay for
the construction and equipment of a library to be built by the
students. Booker Washington, his Executive Council, and the school's
architect, spent hours and hours of time in scrutinizing every detail
to bring the cost down to the smallest possible figure consistent with
an adequate result. The final cost to Mr. Carnegie was only $15,000.
Mr. Carnegie was amazed that so large, convenient, and dignified a
building could be built at so small a cost. Over and over again both
to Mr. Washington and to friends of the school he expressed his
surprise and pleasure at the result obtained by this relatively small
expenditure. After that there was no doubt he would do more for the
school. It was simply a question of how much more and what form it
would take. In 1903 the following letter was received by the late
William H. Baldwin, Jr., in his capacity as president of the Tuskegee
Board of Trustees.
_Andrew Carnegie_
_2 East 91st Street, New York_
_New York, April 17, 1903._
MY DEAR MR. BALDWIN: I have instructed Mr. Franks,
Secretary, to deliver to you as Trustee of Tuskegee
$600,000 of 5 per cent. U.S. Steel Company bonds to complete
the Endowment Fund as per circular.
One condition only--the revenue of one hundred and fifty
thousand of these bonds is to be subject to Booker
Washington's order to be used by him first for his wants and
those of his family during his life or the life of his
widow--if any surplus is left he can use it for Tuskegee. I
wish that great and good man to be free from pecuniary cares
that he may devote himself wholly to his great Mission.
To me he seems one of the foremost of living men because his
work is unique. The Modern Moses, who leads his race and
lifts it through Education to even better and higher things
than a land overflowing with milk and honey--History is to
know two Washingtons, one white, the other black, both
Fathers of their people. I am satisfied that the serious
race question of the South is to be solved wisely only by
following Booker Washington's policy which he seems to have
been specially born--a slave among slaves--to establish, and
even in his own day, greatly to advance.
So glad to be able to assist this good work in which you and
others are engaged.
Yours truly,
(Signed) ANDREW CARNEGIE.
_To Mr. Wm. H. Baldwin, Jr., New York City, N.Y._
This great gift delighted Booker Washington not only for what it meant
directly to his work, but because it so strikingly illustrated a truth
which he had long and insistently impressed upon his staff and his
students: namely, that if every dollar contributed were made to do
the work of two, more dollars would be forthcoming from the same
source.
The two events upon which Booker Washington's popular fame chiefly
rests are his speech before the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta,
Ga., in 1895, and the publication of "Up from Slavery" five years
later. Since "Up from Slavery" played so great a part in aiding its
author to secure funds for his work it seems appropriate to give here
some account of how it came to be written, how it was written, and how
it was received.