The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-08
J, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 8. 1876
tho force and beauty oi'every other is iniu
riously Affected So.
He would rest the , a
NECESSITY OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS

4 - +, @-Er.. .
| NECESSITY OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS
as part OF system on two questions: Can
the primary school, for the sake OF one
pupil in twenty-five, afford to provide classi-
cal instruction ? Can the college open its
preparatory department to one hundred
for the sake of getting ten in its regular
classes?
9. He considered the secondary school in
its relations to the primary as having value
to both pupils and teachers. He insisted
that the primary school cannot furnish COM
petent teachers for itself, and that the
secondary school must he held out as prize
to the pupils Of the primary.
s. He next discussed the inestimable
VALUE OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL
in its relations to the college. It may some
times do the necessary Office of convincing
a boy that he need never aspire to be a
scholar; but it will, onlthc other hand. send
the college students well prepared, so that
instead Of spending their strength on the
elements the professors OF the college may
elevate their standards and improve their
own scholarship. He next considered the
practical question OF the founding and sus-
tanning these secondary schools, and insisted
that they cannot be furnished by the State
tary contributions. He suggested that the
solution OF the question might be in each
denomination having at suitable points
secondary schools as feeders to their col
leges.
The paper seemed to produce profound
impression on the Association.
THE SUBJECT DISCUSSED.
Mr.. Estell said that Professor Harris had
touched one weak point-a defect in our
systematic lack OF secondary schools.
There ought to be one secondary school for
each county in the State, and not, as is now
the case, rs many as you can count on your
hand.
Mr.. W. W. Smith said that nearly all of
the secondary schools were preparatory to
the University, and not to the colleges, be-
cause the colleges have their own prepara-
| tory courses. The colleges ought to raise
their standard.
Major Sheppard thought the difficulty
might be solved in measure by the estab-
lishment Of high-schools in the towns in the
State, which should be supported at the
expense OF the people.
Professor Cooke said nc was glad we had
now come down to practical questions.
These matters ought to have been consider
ed first. The Governor and Superintendent
| of Public Schools had invited discussion,
and because he had pointed out the great
deficiency OF the public schools he had been
said to be arrayed against the public schools.
1t is q mistake which this southern land has
made in attempting to run L university In
every State. Another great mistake is the
attempt OF every denomination that comes
into this State to establish college. The
North has tried it and failed. II he had it
in bis power he would not run one Of these
colleges. Pupils ought to be prepared by
secondary schools for the University.
Rev. DR.. Jones said that the practical
cause Of the breaking up OF these prepara-
| tory schools was, in a measure, the intro
duction of the public-school system. He
thought that the public school authorities
had done-unintentionally, no doubt-a
great deal towards breaking up instead OF
| fostering the schools of the State. He be-
lleved the State School Board might in a
measure remedy the matter.
Professor Harris and Mr.. John P. Nc
Guire also spoke on the subject. The latter
gentleman thought the difficulty lay at the
University, andhe hoped that the change OF
the system there may have beneficial effect.
Mr.. Swami said there was one objection
to sending the pupil away to college before
he is prepared. Occasionally scholar Is
turned away because he is not prepared,
and he is told that he had better 60 to work.
This is extremely mortifying, and is pro-
ductive of harm.
DR.. Edwards was called out by the Chair,
and also addressed the Association on the
subject OF secondary schools.
Professor Terry (Mr. Powell in the char!
said that he was sorry to leave the char OF
the Speaker OF the House OF Delegates OF
Virginia, as he believed it would be the
only time he should ever occupy it. dc then
proceeded to make L iacetious and interest
ING address upon the importance OF second
arv schools, and remarked that DR.. Jones
had struck the keynote this morning when
he said that before the war we had system
OF schools that were feeders to the col
leges.
Mr.. Cooke said we ought now to endeavo1
to make Virginia the great educational
centre OF the nation.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Rev. Paul Whitehead attributed the fall.
ing off OF the secondary schools to the finan.
cial condition OF the country occasioned by
the war.
Professor w. 7. Davis also spoke of the
importance OF harmony between the second.
ary private schools and the public schools
Professor Harris presented the following,
which was unanimously agreed to:
RESOLVED, /. That IN the opinion Of this
Association harmony between the primary.
the secondary schools, the colleges, and the
University, is of great Importance to the ad'
yancement OF learning iii the State; and tc
secure it there should be, if possible, falI
adjustment of studies in these several insti'
tutionS.
2. That friends of learning in the State be
requested to consider earnestly whether
some plan can be devised through which
this cooperation may be secured.
On motion, the Association took recess
for fifteen minutes.
Professor Charles L. Cooke presented q
resolution that in the opinion OF the Asso'
citation the Legislature should pass an ACT
extending to students from other States who
have spent two years or more at any Vlrgr
mia school the same privilege OF free tuition
in the Virginia University that is extended
to students from Virginia.
Mr.. Cooke said he knew the University
would oppose it.
Major Sheppard moved to lay the resolu'
ton on the table; but Professor Cooke with
drew it.
HIGHER EDUCATION OF WOMEN, &C.
After recess Professor Cooke read his
essay on the "Higher Education Of Wo-
men,"
Rev. Paul Whitehead thought that the
subject had been pretty well exhausted ;
but he would like to emphasize the point
made by Mr.. Cooke that so little has been
done by governments towards the educa-