Those who write the following chapters represent, in the main, this class. They have written simply, with perfect frankness, have dealt with the significant things of their lives, and have demonstrated, the writer believes, that from humble origin black men and women may confidently be counted upon, with proper encouragement, to win success. The chapters are autobiographical, significantly optimistic, with just pride in what has been done, and outlining, as did "Up from Slavery"--which was commended as a proper model--experiences from childhood, the school-life of the writer, and the results achieved in the direction of putting into practise what was learned in school. Through this symposium it is hoped that the public may learn, in the best possible way, some of the finer results already accomplished by the Tuskegee Institute. E. J. S. TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE, ALABAMA, _April 1, 1905_. CONTENTS PAGE GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 By Booker T. Washington. PART I THE SCHOOL AND ITS PURPOSES I.--PRESENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND GOVERNING IDEALS 19 By Emmett J. Scott, Mr. Washington's Executive Secretary. II.--RESOURCES AND MATERIAL EQUIPMENT 35 By Warren Logan, Treasurer of the School. III.--THE ACADEMIC AIMS 56 By Roscoe C. Bruce, Director of the Academic Department. IV.--WHAT GIRLS ARE TAUGHT, AND HOW 68 By Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Director of Industries for Girls. V.--HAMPTON INSTITUTE'S RELATION TO TUSKEGEE 87 By Robert R. Moton. PART II AUTOBIOGRAPHIES BY GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL I.--A COLLEGE PRESIDENT'S STORY 101 By Isaac Fisher, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. II.--A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S STORY 111 By William H. Holtzclaw, of Utica, Mississippi. III.--A LAWYER'S STORY 141 By George W. Lovejoy, of Mobile, Alabama. IV.--A SCHOOL TREASURER'S STORY 152 By Martin A. Menafee, of Denmark, South Carolina. V.--THE STORY OF A FARMER 164 By Frank Reid, of Dawkins, Alabama. VI.--THE STORY OF A CARPENTER 173 By Gabriel B. Miller, of Fort Valley, Georgia. VII.--COTTON-GROWING IN AFRICA 184 By John W. Robinson, of Lome, Togo, West Africa. VIII.--THE STORY OF A TEACHER OF COOKING 200 By Mary L. Dotson, of Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. IX.--A WOMAN'S WORK 211 By Cornelia Bowen, of Waugh (Mt. Meigs), Alabama.