Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-05-15


derful results of this action show its
wisdom. A correspondent of the New
Berne Journal, writes from Wilson :
e'The Graded School at this place is
considered a sine qua non, and it is now
admitted that since its establishment
two years previous and by means
thereof, the value of property has IN
creased more than thirty percent, and
houses to rent are not now to be found.
x x What do you think !!
Over eight thousand visits were paid
the different departments of the Will
son Graded School during nine months
last year. 1t was place to take friends
from abroad, for these visitors repre-
sented thirtyfve counties" Enthusiasm
was awakened i'll teachers, pupils and
parents Such an educational reforms
ton within 50 short time is rarely
witnessed. No one can doubt that
Prof. Tomlinson was the author and
leader of the movement. Approaching
his great worth, the Board of Mana
gers elected him Superintendent of the
Wilson State Normal School. Calmly,
intelligently, persistently he set to
work to inspire new vigor in this work.
Having formed his plans, he sought in
structors whom he thought most fit
to assist him in executing them.
He worked day and night through
the first session of his manage
ment without one cent of compen-
sation More than this; he paid from
his own pocket over hundred dollars
towards defraying the expenses of the
school in order that his purposes might
be accomplished. The enthusiasm of
all connected with this session of the
school was indeed great.
During the summer of 1888 he was
again in charge of this Normal School.
Guided by the experience of the pre-
ceding summer, he drew up pro-
gramme which yielded most practical
results to all concerned. The work
was so admirably arranged that nei
ther instructors nor pupils became tired.
No detail, however trifing, escaped
his attention, adding little here, cut
ting off little there, varying the dai-
ly exercises with music and calisthen-
les, and awakening and sustaining en-
thusiasm OH all sides. It is not too
much to say that no Normal School
ever held in the State was more pro-
ductive of lasting good to all the pu-
pills than was the Wilson Normal School
of 1888. 1t was,all planned and execu-
ted under his direction.
The whole State is to be congratu-
lated upon the appointment of fProfes-
sor Tomlinson to the uperintendency
of the University Normal School for
the coming summer. Among the young
and vigorous forces at work in the
State forming and reforming our edu-
cational system, this school is promi-
nent. 1t has already begun to bring
forth fruit to the honor and glory of
the State. 1t is peculiarly North
Carolina institution for North Carolina
teachers who train North Carolina chill
dren. Prof. Tomlinson is thorough
North CaroIinian, full of love for his
State, and imbued with strong faith
in the early development of her great
resources. He knows the wants and
wishes of our teachers, and his past
experience will show him how they
may be satisfied. If careful, intelli-
gent plans, energetic, enthusiastic exc
cution and a thorough knowledge of
the needs to be supplied can accom-
plish anything, the University Nor
NAL School of 1854 will surpass its
former excellent predecessors for
Professor Tomlinson plans deliberate
ly, organizes thoroughly, manages
ably, and succeeds eminently as an Or
ganizer and instructor of children and
teachers. Such is the confidence i'm
posed in him by teachers, that sixty of
them have applied for positions in the
Winston Graded School. They are
from four different States, and some of
them offer their services gratis for the
sake of being trained by him.
Professor Tomlinson does not admit
that teachers are born such, but strong
ly intimates that ifthey are, many
need to be "bors again." He says that
Nothing brings about regeneration so
readily as work, work Success begets
genius. and success itself is begotten
through dint of good, honest, conscien-
tious, well-directed, hard work and in
vincible determination to succeed. This
is genius" Urged on by these convic
tions, he has become diligent student.
The result of his hard study is that he
is thoroughly progressive, "holding to
whatever is good of the old and adopt
ing whatever is best of the new, dis
carding nothing because it is old and
adopting nothing beause ills new" He
may be called practical utilitarian,
for his knowledge is sacquired only to be
used in producing practical results.
The secret of his success may be best
given in his own words: "The thor
ough perfecting of plans and careful
working up OF details"
Prof. Tomlinson's modesty, gentle
ness, purity of life and of language,
faithfulness, cheering words, and warm
heart have endeared him to many
friends throughout the State.
Let the Motion be Carried.
From the Cas,ceH Ne,os
Gentlemen of the Convention We