Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-04
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
THEIR SECOND DA US SESSION

Wide Rance OF Discussion on state ans
Comfy fsstiiu,es-yudges stevens Makes a
speeeh-srse Books. &e., kc.
The morning session Of the school
superintendents opened with prayer by
Rev. DIR. George W. Dame. The Chair
announced as the Committee on School
Laws: DR.. George W. Dame, Super
intendents Stevens, Repass, Barksdale,
and Roller.
A number Of new members were
present, among them the following
vice-presidents E. NJ. Garnett, ii. Q.
Slaughter, Rev. A. P. Funkhouser,
ard Major W. G..Repsss.
COUNTY INSTITUTES.
Superintendent Farr made a state
ment in reference to the importance of
county Institutes" which, he said,
were of the utmost value in promoting
the efficiency Of the system.
Rev. A. p. Fuukhouser moved that
committee Of three be appointed to
consider what action should be taken in
regard to teachers institutes and report
by resolution or otherwise at the night
session.
The Chair appointed Superintendents
Funkhouser, Strother, and Franklin.
STATE NORMAL INSTITUTES,
The Chair announced that the 1ues-
tion before the Conference was ::
4" Shall an appropriation be made for
the State Normal Institute?"
Superintendent Franklin, of Glou-
cester, thought that the money spent
on the state institute could be better
spent on the county institutes, as
teachers at a distance could not be in
duced to attend the state institute.
Superintendent Funkhouser was
warmly in favor Of the State summer
normals. His teachers had been greatly
benefited by the summer normals held
both at IIarrisonburg and at Staunton.
lie would have several Of these in differ
ent sections Of the State, not only for
the convenience Of the teachers, but
because he thought an institute of two
hundred teachers even better than one
of six hundred. lie called attention to
the fact that the law really forbids
county institutes, and that they have
latterly been held by really " flank
ing" the law. A proper title for the
law, he suggested, would be. A bill
to kill county institutes"
Judge Stevens, Of Nelson, offered a
resolution to the effect that the Legis-
lature be requested to provide by law
for districtiDg the State into county
institute districts, to be composed Of
not less than two counties nor more
than six. in which shall be held, in one
of said counties, annually one insti-
tute.
FLANKING THE LAW"
Superintendent Farr said that he
pleaded guilty to the charge of " flank
ing" this law, and he had no concern
for what had been or might be said about
him. lie would attack anybody or
anything that opposed the interests Of
public schools. lie was warmly in IA
yor OF county Institutes, but would have
them drill-Schools rather than Institutes.
lie favored the resolution Of Judge
Stevens, but insisted that it would cost
at least sl5, 900 to carry out the scheme.
lie favored the establishment of at least
four normal institutes on the basis
Of the institute at Farmville, to which
be paid a high compliment. But mean
time he urged that the summer normals
should be kept up and their influence
extended.
lie reiterated his opinion, expressed
Tuesday night, that the schools in Vir-
glnia have to-day the best set of teachers
in America, but he would afford then.
every facility for improvement.
VARIOUS OPINIONS.
Superintendent Franklin was warmly
in favor of State normals, but he wanted
the county institutes also, and regarded
them as even more important. Super
intendent Slaughter called attention to
the Importance of having in the hands
of the superintendent, rather than the
trustees, the power of compelling the
attendance of teachers at the institutes.
Superintendent StrOther cordially en-
doTsed this view.
TEACHERS OF TIE COUNTY.
Superintendent Roller thought that
the superintendent had already the
whole matter in his power, for he could
make the especial " examinations called
for by the trustees Of such character
that the teacher would never desire to
have them repeated. lie would have
the county institutes, in large measure,
the work of the teachers Of the county,
and would have foreign aid as merely
Incidental.
DR.. George w. Dame said that in
Piltsylyanis county he found his own
teachers better than the foreign aid that
had been sent him.
Superintendent Broyles, of Page,
warmly favored the working Of county
institutes by county men.
Major \. 6. Pendleton, Of Smythe
county, would have the whole law re-
pealed.
On motion, the whole question was
referred to the Committee on Revision
of Laws.
On motion, all speeches except the
opening speech on any question was
limited to ten minutes.
THE ELECTORAL BOARD.
Superintendent W. II. Strother, Of
Fauquier. offered a resolution to the
effect that the law should be SO changed
that the Electoral Board should have on
it er-c6,cio the county superintendent,
or that the law should go back to the
old regulations.
Mr.. Strother pleasantly suggested
that he made this move in the interest
of his successor and of the schools. lie
thought that there would be no objec.
ton TO the superintendents who are
soon to be elected having great inilu-
ence with the Board.
Judge Stevens, Of Nelson, moved to
refer TO the Committee on Laws. In the