Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 14—NOVEMBER 1957—SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS
Florida Legislators Require School to Close If Troops Come
MIAMI, Fla.
T^lorida’s legislature, meeting
in extra session while the Lit
tle Rock school situation was in
the news, devoted most of its time
to segregation matters, but en
acted only one new law on the
subject. This requires the imme
diate closing of any school where
federal troops are assigned to en
force integration. The legislature
asked that President Eisenhower
be censured for using federal
troops. (See “Legislative Ac
tion.”)
The U. S. Supreme Court decided
against ordering the immediate admis
sion of a Negro to the University of
Florida. Some Florida leaders inter
preted this as a “softening” in the
court’s attitude toward school segrega
tion. (See “Legal Action.”)
Florida’s legislature met in a pre
viously scheduled extra session to
consider constitutional revision. In
stead, segregation became the major
topic.
Almost immediately, a memorial was
adopted urging Congress to censure the
President for ordering federal troops
into Little Rock. The Senate vote was
36-1, the House 76-4.
A number of segregation bills were
introduced. The big drive was behind
the so-called “last resort” measure,
passed at the regular session last June
but vetoed by Gov. LeRoy Collins.
This bill allowed communities to abol
ish public school systems by referen
dum, in order to circumvent court-
ordered integration.
SHIFT IN ALIGNMENTS
There was some switch in align
ments on the proposal. Atty. Gen.
Richard W. Ervin, who prepared the
original bill and strongly urged its pas
sage last summer opposed it now,
stating that it would “do more harm
than good at this session.”
Ervin said it would “muddy the
waters” while Collins, as chairman of
the Southern Governors Conference,
was trying to work out a solution to the
situation in Little Rock.
“I believe the authority which is now
vested in the governor is sufficient to
cope with any emergency situation
which might arise in the immediate
future,” Ervin said.
SENATE APPROVES BILL
Some segregationists backed Ervin.
Nevertheless, the revived bill was
passed by the Senate, 31-5, after Sen.
Ralph Hodges, Cedar Key, told his col
leagues: “It is obvious we are going to
have Supreme Court orders enforced
by the cold steel of bayonets.”
In the House, however, backers
failed by four votes to get the two-
thirds majority necessary to bring up
matters not included in the extra ses
sion call.
Though administration leaders tried
to limit further debate on segregation,
the question remained dominant. Later
efforts to reconsider the “last resort”
bill failed, once by only two votes.
‘PARENT OPTION’ BILL
The House passed other segregation
bills. One (HB-794), a so-called “par
ent option” measure, allowed parents
to move a child from a school if they
believed his “education, welfare, health
or safety may be adversely affected by
conditions in the school.” Parents
could petition the school board to ex
cuse the child, or transfer him to an
other school.
Another House-approved measure
called on jurors who might convict
parents of violating the compulsory at
tendance laws, when children were
kept out of integrated schools, to assess
a nominal $1 tine. Both measures failed
of support in the Senate.
The only measure to get through
both branches (HB-111X) called for
“the automatic closing and suspension
of operation of any public school in
this state upon the employ of federal
troops in the vicinity of said school for
certain purposes.”
SOMETHING CONCRETE
The bill had little of the pressure be
hind it that whipped up debate on the
“last resort” proposal. Some legislators
explained that it was in the nature of
a gesture against the Little Rock sit
uation, the result of a feeling that
something concrete should be done.
A veto by the governor was expected.
But Collins approved the measure even
though, he said, it was not needed.
“The permissive authority we have
now is adequate,” Collins said.
However, he added, “It has always
been my feeling that no public school
has any business being operated under
circumstances of violence and disorder
beyond the control of local and state
police authorities. It is almost ridicu
lous to assume that any sound educa
tion could be carried on under the
pressure of armed guards and as a
parent I would rather have my child
at home.”
The major business of the legislature
at this session—to approve a new con
stitution containing a reapportionment
provision over which the legislators
had struggled for many months—was
pushed into the background.
PRIVATE SCHOOL FUNDS
Segregation figured in this debate
also. The proposed constitution, which
must be approved at a special election,
contains a requirement that the state
must maintain a free public school sys
tem, but authorizes the use of state
funds for private schools. Proponents
said this would permit a statewide pri
vate school system to avoid integra
tion.
The discussion over the situation at
Little Rock was widespread in Florida
because Gov. Collins, as chairman of
the Southern Governors Conference,
took a leading role in attempting a
settlement. His statement following the
session of the legislature that “integra
tion is coming some day” had reper
cussions.
In an interview, Collins said: “Some
day, somewhere, somehow we will have
‘3Ian. Do You Look Terrible!’
—Miami Daily News
some integration in schools in Florida—
but not in the near future. I don’t think
that will come until it comes in the
minds and hearts of the people who
must accept integration.
“As long as I am governor I will see
that we do not have riots and disor
ders. More than anything we do not
want to develop hate among people.”
CRITICIZED AND APPLAUDED
Sen. Charley E. Johns of Starke,
former acting governor, said the state
ment by Collins had done “consider
able harm” to Florida’s effort to pre
serve segregation. But Rep. W. C. Her-
rell of Miami said Collins “has done
more than any other man in public
office to preserve peace.”
National interest was expressed in an
address by Florida’s Sen. George A.
Smathers to the Executive Club of
Chicago, calling on the U. S. Supreme
Court to “reassess” its position on
school segregation in the fight of dis
orders at Little Rock and elsewhere.
Smathers said the segregation issue
ranks with national security as the two
great problems facing the nation. He
added, “In the fight of the havoc
created by [the Supreme Court’s] first
decision and their recognition of its
social and psychological effects, there
is a possibility that they might be in
a disposition to redefine their order.”
Gov. Collins’ position on segregation
has projected him into the national
political picture. He was assigned to
keynote the Southern Governors Con
ference with an address: “Can a South
erner Become President?” His answer
was in the affirmative—provided the
candidate had a successful record in
resolving racial conflicts.
The Orlando Sentinel reported Col
lins has been deluged with invitations
for network TV appearances and
speeches before top-ranking groups.
These, the newspaper said, “could im
mediately bounce him into the spot
light as the leading contender for
the nomination at the 1960 Democratic
convention.”
The Little Rock crisis will have an
effect upon the strength of national
political parties in Florida, where the
Republicans had hoped to solidify
gains. President Eisenhower carried the
state in 1952 and by a larger margin
in 1956.
REPUBLICAN DEFECTIONS
Since the use of troops at Little
Rock, Republican defections have been
widespread. The vice chairman of the
Republican State Executive Committee
proposed a move to censure President
Eisenhower. The chairman of the tfej
County Young Republican Club^T
signed with the assertion that the
has “committed southern suicide.”^ \
County registrars reported “man,,
Republicans were re-registering^
Democrats or independents.
The U. S. Supreme Court declined to
order the immediate admission of Vir
gil Hawkins, Daytona Beach Negro ^
a law student at the University „<
Florida.
Previously, the court had issued sucl
a mandate to the Florida Supreme
Court in the long-fought case
kins v. Florida State Board of Con.
trol). The Florida court refused to
carry out the mandate, declaring the
legal principle that a state court haj
final authority over the safety am)
welfare of citizens of the state.
Hawkins’ attorneys then asked the
Supreme Court to circumvent the
Florida court and issue its order &
rectly to the board of control. This the
court refused to do, pointing out there
were other legal remedies.
SOFTENING?
Some Floridians saw in the rulings
“softening” of the Supreme Court’s at- ,
titude on segregation in fight of dis
orders at Little Rock and elsewhere. |
“[The Supreme Court] has indicate) '
a more conciliatory and understanding
position,” said Gov. Collins. “And lor
this I can only say thank goodness.”
Atty. Gen. Richard W. Ervin who
presented Florida’s case, thanked the
court “for proceeding wisely and pru
dently.”
(Continued On Next Page)
i
Kentucky Study Shows 11 More Districts Desegregate
LOUISVILLE, Ky.
A State Department of Educa-
tion survey showed that 11
additional Kentucky districts de
segregated in September, bringing
to 114 (state total: 217) districts
now having “integrated situa
tions.” More than 80 per cent of
the state’s school-age Negroes live
in these districts. (See “Under
Survey.”)
Gov. A. B. Chandler, who earlier had
approved the dispatch of federal troops
to Little Rock, blamed Arkansas Gov.
Orval Faubus for President Eisenhow
er’s refusal to withdraw the troops.
(See “What They Say.”)
A federal court postponed until the
beginning of the next school year its
orders for Fulton City High School to
desegregate. (See “Legal Action.”)
BAR DESEGREGATION
Trustees of Kentucky Wesleyan Col
lege at Owensboro voted down a pro
posal that the college desegregate in
1958. (See “In the Colleges.”)
The National Guard Association, at
its Louisville convention, voted down
resolutions criticizing the dispatch of
federal troops to Little Rock. (See
“Community Action.”)
Top candidates of both major political
parties for Louisville and Jefferson
County offices told a Negro audience
they opposed a law prohibiting private
businesses from practicing racial dis
crimination but favored furthering inte
gration by education. (See “Political
Activity.”)
Thirteen Negroes showed up at a
Citizens Council meeting in Louisville,
but left at the request of police. (See
“Miscellaneous.”)
A mid-October check by the State
Department of Education showed that
of Kentucky’s 217 school districts, 114
now have “integrated situations”—94
with actually mixed classes, 20 “by
policy” but with no mixed classes.
Forty-seven of the 217 have no Negro
school-age population.
Eleven districts desegregated for the
first time in September—nine county
districts and two independents (Cavema
and Lebanon). The counties are Gal
latin, Hart, Henry, Hopkins, Marion,
Spencer, Union, McCracken and Web
ster. All have actually mixed classes
except Webster, which reported no Ne
groes yet enrolled in hitherto all-white
schools under its “voluntary integra
tion” policy.
Kentucky has 120 county districts, 97
independents.
The county breakdown: 48 with class
es actually mixed, 10 by plan or policy
but with no Negroes actually enrolled
in mixed classes, 39 with no announced
plans, 23 counties with no Negro school-
age population. Mixed-class figures for
these county districts: 72,267 white pu
pils and 2,910 white teachers; 1,756 Ne
gro pupils and 13 Negro teachers.
The independent district breakdown:
46 with classes actually mixed, 10 by
plan or policy but with no Negroes ac
tually enrolled in mixed classes, 17 with
no announced plans, 24 with no Negro
school-age population. Mixed-class fig
ures for these independent districts:
60,915 white pupils and 2,565 white
teachers; 9,141 Negro pupils and 159
Negro teachers.
Combined totals for all mixed-class
districts: 133,182 white pupils and 5,475
white teachers; 10,897 Negro pupils and
172 Negro teachers.
56 HAVE NO PLANS
Total districts, county and independ
ent, having Negro school-age popula
tion but no announced plans for inte
gration: 56.
Estimated Negro teacher-job-loss or
displacement this year: None.
Estimated average teacher salary (no
racial differential): $2,900.
Total number of schools having mixed
classes: 260 (137 in county districts, 123
in independent districts; of the former,
32 for the first time this year, of the
latter, 13).
Gov. A. B. Chandler, who in Sep
tember had voiced approval of the dis
patch of federal troops to Little Rock,
on Oct. 5 termed the school integration
crisis there “a disservice to the South
and to the entire nation.” He described
as “quibbling” Gov. Faubus’ failure to
give ironclad assurance that federal
court orders would be upheld.
Interviewed by Ben Reeves of the
Louisville Courier-Journal, the gover
nor said that “neither the nation nor the
Negro people would be fooled by some
southern spokesmen now widely ad
vertised as ‘moderates’ and ‘peacemak
ers’.” The test of such spokesmen, he
said, “is the number of integrated
schools in their areas.”
He recalled that he recently had told
at least three Georgia audiences that
“the struggle of some southerners
against integration is foredoomed to
failure.”
“I was not present when they handed
out the colors.” he said. “The non-white
peoples of the world have us out
numbered six or seven to one, and if
we are going to make an issue of seg
regation we are already defeated . . .
“My roots go as deeply into the
South as anyone’s. My wife’s family is
in Virginia. My own forebears were in
the Confederacy, and my grandfather
was shot at Shiloh.”
On Oct. 4 Federal District Judge Roy
Shelboume at Paducah postponed
court-ordered integration of Fulton City
High School until the beginning of the
1958-59 school year. He blamed both
the Fulton school board and himself
for making the delay necessary.
The board, he said, was at fault for
not displaying more active interest and
cooperation until after classes were
under way this year. He held himself
at fault because, though he had issued
an order for desegregation this year, it
was not handed down until after school
started.
The school board had protested im
mediate integration on the ground of
administrative difficulties. The delay
was agreed to by attorneys representing
Fulton Negro students eligible for ad
mission.
Fulton has no Negro school. Negro
students from Fulton, Hickman and
Ballard counties attend Riverside High,
a Negro school, at Hickman, 21 miles
from Fulton.
By an undisclosed vote, trustees of
Kentucky Wesleyan College at Owens
boro on Oct. 1 voted down a proposal
that in the fall of 1958 the Methodist
institution “admit to the student body
qualified students regardless of race
or color.”
The 97-year-old college, under aus
pices of the Louisville Annual Confer
ence of the Methodist Church, has a co
educational enrollment of about 600.
Twenty-nine of Kentucky’s 40 col
leges, universities, and theological sem
inaries no longer have any racial bars
to admission.
COMMUNITY ACTION
More than 1,000 delegates to the Na
tional Guard Association convention in
Louisville cheered Arkansas members
when they were introduced—but they
squelched southern resolutions criticiz-
mg the dispatch of federal troops to
Little Rock.
ticMcc-udLKea resolution in comir
then on the floor overwhelmingly
down a Georgia-backed reso]
blasting the law under which Pre<
Eisenhower acted as “destroying
National Guard,” giving to “this an
future President unlimited power
surrendering “forever . . . the discre- f
tionary power of Congress.”
The Tennessee resolution proposed
curtailing the President’s power to em- ;
ploy the National Guard or the regula.’) -
military establishment in any state ( i
subjecting his discretion instead to con- ,
trol by a joint resolution of Congress t
It also deplored “unwarranted and un- |
constitutional interference with the in
ternal affairs of any state.”
NATIONAL’ PROBLEM
Southern representatives themselves
were divided on the issue. The oppos;
tion included Virginia, Mississippi) ^
North Carolina, whose Maj. Gen. Cap®
Way nick explained: “In this time ov®!
a sectional problem, we think it is r - c:
appropriate to take a stand on a P 1 *'
lem essentially a national one—states
rights.”
Some Guardsmen said that “what f
the last nail in the coffins of the resoh
tions” was picketing of the convents
hall, the Jefferson County Armoryi'
six members of the Citizens Count
of Kentucky. The pickets distribut^
leaflets and carried signs attacking
President and Army Secretary W®*'
M. Brucker—one reading “Bru<*
turns Guards against the South,’ &
other “Brucker, Brownell, Eisenho* 6
—3 Traitors.”
Democratic Sheriff Bruce Hobh^
his party’s nominee for mayor of j
ville, and Jefferson County Judge ^
Van Arsdale, running for re-elect^ 011
it#
Nov. 5, on Oct. 22 told a Negro
ence in substance that they °P^
prohibiting by law private busing
from practicing racial discrinufl 8 ,
but agreed that setting up a c0t0! !ti
to further integration by educa°
feasible. u
Earlier the Republican candida*U
mayor, Robert B. Diehl, had t 8 * x
somewhat similar position befof^
same group, the Frontiers of A® ^
a Negro luncheon club and sen' 1 w
ganization. Both Hoblitzell and ■.
held that consideration of
discrimination ordinance f° r „)£
restaurants, theaters and other P. ,
places would be “up to the b°fj ^
aldermen,” and that they wom° :
commit themselves. _
In Richmond, Ky., City School
Chairman Charles H. Coy °n
announced his resignation hec aU ~ e
(Continued On Next Ya& e '
b