Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-14
TALK ON TEACHING.
C0EFERHEoE OF THE sUPERINrsNn-
RNTs OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Brief Speeches from Governor Lee, DR.. Garry,
and 0ihers-The Question OF
Ealaries.

The sixth annual conference OF tho couu-
ty aDd city superintendents o. public schools
Of Virginia began in the ball Of the House
Of Delegates yesterday morning at 10
O'Clock. State-supenntendeut j. J.. Bu-
chanan presiding.
slxty.tbree superlntendents answered to
the roll.cal.
Or. Buchanan called the conference 70
order, and Rev. Dr.. Cooper, OF the FIRST
Baptist church, led in prayer.
THE GOVERNOR.
The Chsirmln then introduced Governor
Lee. who IN a short speech welcomed the
superiutcndents.
Superintendent Clrne, Of Alexandria, on
behalf OF the supern,enden's responded ap-
propria,eIy to the Governors welcome.
DIR. CURRY.
Hon. J. L. NJ. Curry. late Minister to
Spain, now again secretary OF the Peabody
educationll fund, was then presented 10 the
conference and made short speech in re-
gard 10 the work aud influence OF Iree
schools
The body then extended to DR.. Curry an
invitation 70 address them during their con-
veution oU the subject Of education and Its
bearing on the fuDdre welfare OF the cOlored
race.
SALARIES.
The conference then took mp the first SUBJ
Icct Tor discussion" Teachers Salaries as
DEPENDENT Upon the Average Attendance"
The discussion was quite spirited and wss
participated IN by several OF the members OF
the conference.
Pending the discurgon the assembly adj
jOurned at i:30 O'Clock for recess until 1870
o'clock.
Night Session.
The conference met again al 7.30 o'clock.
The subject. "reachers' Salaries a. Depend
ont on the Average Attendance" being
ouen for discussion, Mr.. Frank I. West, Of
Louiss county, offered the following reso-
buttons:
Whereas the laws and regulations that tare
now in foil force for the relief OF school
teachers-namely, those relating to iactious
spirit. contagious diseases, enforcement OF
school discipline. hcs OF textbooks. and
sparsply settled districts are ample: there
fore be- II
he.Oiyed. I. Th1t we recommend that The
State Board Of EducqtOn issue circular
addressed - the teachers containing sll the
laws and regulations that arc intended for
their relief, ard that the same be sent TO The
county superinicndents for distribution
among said teachers.
.. That when the teachers report the facts
| under section | Of these resolutions the
couulv superintendent II schools shall have
sole power % decide the cases so reported,
except in cases OF iaCtious spirit and IN that
case the teacher shall report the facts to the
District Board, and the District Board shall
make 2 recommendation IN such case 10 the
comfy superintendent for final decision.
.. That the couaty superntendent shall
draw his receipt for the teachers monthly
report according TO the actual enrolment and
average daily attendance, and that the salary
shall bee for such 4 sum "a bis decision under
section 2 Of these resolutions may justify,
and that he shall make an endorsement on
sald receipt 10 that effect.
4. That It is the sense OF this conference
that the teachers should be paid. and that the
laW, aud regulations are not intended 70 work
hardship 10 the teachers, but to secure faith
mlness nod efficiency on The part Of teachers
and to prevent the multiplication OF small
schools. thereby avoiding Useless eXpendl-
turcs oi the public money.
Nj. Caskic. oi Nelson, offered the follow
ing As substitute:
Feso!ved. That IL Ia the sense Of this con-
ference that the laws and regulations now
regulating the pay of the teachers o. the pub
he schools should be so amended a. TO re-
ouire the teuchers 10 make, IN addition to the
mJrthy report n0w required bv law. re.
port OF the children within the bounds Of bis
or her school not in attendance upon such
school for the whole or any part OF such
month, and the reasons for such absence;
and upon the coming in Of such report the
county suprnicndent shall be az liberty to
order The payment In fuil Of the salary 10
such teacher ii he shall deem il proper TO
do so.
s,aie.Superintcnden Buchanan from the
chair related many OF the troubles that have
arisen from the matter under consideration.
/ After some debstc, engaged ia by several
members, the vote vas taken upon Mr.
| Ciskie's substitute, and il was defeated by a
vote Of % 10 Is.
The resolutions Offered by Mr.. West were
| then adopted.
This disposed OF the first subject on the
/ programme.
EXAMINATIONS.
Rev. J. l.. 2. Holland, Of Amelia county,
| then read an able PAPER on the subject Of
"Tbe Examination OF Teachers-W hat
I Ch1nyes are Needed In the Existing Laws"
/ lie spoke ~ three changes IN the law reliting
| 10 the examinations which seemed TO be
( growing in f1yor-tr,t, regarding annual
| EXAMINATIONS; second, State uniformity In
examinations; third, that a State certificate
should enltie u holder to teach IN any
county.
lie spoke Of the many advantages and dis
advantages that would no doubt arise from
the changes IN these particulars, and hoped
the conference would discuss the subject
fully.
Mr.. r. c. Glass, Of Lynchburg, thought
that among the many changes needed IN our
laws ;, that q certificate iIom the state Nor
paI school should enttle the holder 10 teach
IN any OF orr public schools. lie believed
IN issuing life certificates. and that a certih-
cate from one county superintendent should
he accepted by 4 superintendent IN another
county. lie recommended the New York
school law, which he thought good one for
Virginia.
hr. smith, Of Scott county, followed in
general remarks upon the subject. lie re-
ferrcd 10 the many difficulties that face the
couaty superintendent In the examination
ot teachers. lie believed one u the very
best examinations was to visit tia school
room and Observe the discipline OF the
seh0ol-roOm and the methods Of instruc.
tion.
Inc SID CT was IuFltff uthtitFtt ~ ctNt-
raj Other members Of the conference and was
under consideration when the conference
adjourned at 1915 O'Clock 10 meet at . o'clock
this morning.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
The Chair appointed the following gen.
ilemen a committee TO report upon the
necessary changes In the laws regarding the
examination of teachers: superintendent
y. -. Hawkins, d. p. Powers, aud W. W.
Robertson.
TODAY.
The conference will meet at Q O'Clock this
morning aud adjourn iu time to attend the
laying OF the Cornerstone OF the Masonic
Temple. Tonight they will sttend the how
OF the LAST DAYS Of POmpeil."
Professor Thornton, OF the University OF
Virginia, viii arrive this morning and adj
dress the conference on some subject to be
chosen by himself.