Extravagant salaries were paid to favorites, and unnecessary equipment was bought at exorbitant prices.

The authorities in several States seemed more interested in the idea of educating negro children with white children than in the real process of education.
Though in but four States--South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas--were mixed schools the only schools, such an arrangement was understood to be the ultimate goal in several other States.

Several of the state superintendents were negroes, and others were carpetbaggers dependent upon negro votes.

Before the end of Reconstruction, several of these were forced to flee to avoid arrest for malfeasance in office.

In those States where mixed schools alone were provided, white children did not attend and were thus cut off from educational opportunities at public expense.