St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-06-01
Judge Gunby was enthusiastically &p-
',,3r.; OF ,1. oIoe a IF his od1rasa

Judge Gunby was enthusiastically ap-
plaud ed at the close of bis address.
The question of calling the roll of par
ishes to receive the reports Of schools came
up. An objection was made to 1t because
of the long time it would take fifty mine
parishes to report.
1t was moved and carried that the re-
ports be limited to five minutes.
Mr.. Lawrence Fl. Pugh, of Assumption
parish, said he had over t~enty-nine
schools, which opened on May l. They
are divided into three grades. Teachers
are appointed after examination. The
superintendent hoped to secure better
teachers, better schools and lead the peo-
pie generally into reading good books, and
he is bending all his efforts into this di-
recJion.
Judge William Hall for Avoyelles, re-
ported that his schools were not in sue
cessful operation. Fully thirty applicants
have been rejected Efforts are being made
to secure good teachers, bu5 the salaries
are small and the work large.
Mr.. F. ID. Tunnard, for East Baton
Rouge, said there were about forty schools
in his parish open from Feb to July l,
which will leave enough hands to open in
the fall The number of scholars is en-
tirely disproportionate to the number of
educatle youths. He proposed to make
thorough study of the workings of the
schools there and could thereby report
more intelligently next year. In Baton
Rouge there are as fine public schools as
there are in the State of Louisiana. The
credit is due to one man who has built
them up. Three hundred now attend the
school v here seventy attended before. Tie
onr1ar
Benvile was represented by Supern-
tendent w. U. Richardson. He id with
reference to the present school law pro-
viding for the qualifications of teachers
that 1t will meet with general approval.
The effect will be good.
Prof. John McNeese spoke for Cslcasieu.
The schools granted since Nov l, he said,
were 60 !; average attendance, 20, making
total attendance of 1900. There are 90
teachers and 900 expended. The poll
lax is we'll collected. Parish donation,
$4,000. Parish schools, 10. Draws for
only 1900 children. when entitled TO draw
for 5000. Expect to inaugurate graded
schools in Lake Charles st an expense OF
$4,000 and an attendance of 500.
Mr. D. NJ. Sholars did not think these
reports were accomplishing the purposes
of the convention. Something more prac-
teal ought to be done. The roll should
be called, and if the superintendent had
anything interesting or suggestive to say
to say it, but leave out statistics.
A motion TO that effect was made and
carried.
Mr.. J. w. McGirnis, of Caldwell, said
he had three schools in operation. Had
ro suggestions.
MIR. W. S. Brown, of East Carroll, criti-
cised that portion of the school law which
requires the school board to report upon
the census sent in by the assessor. He
would like the question discussed, also the
query whether the parish school board can
do as it wishes with parish donations H
likewise wished the question of high
schools reported. There are 257 white
children and about eight times as many
colored.
Some long discussion on whether the
question should be discussed followed.
To end it Hon. Warren Easton moved
that all questions snd suggestions ba re-,
ferred to The committee on resolutions,
" no shall III e their discretion in selecting
that on which to report.
This was carried, lik eHise resolution
that the convention receive all written
resolutions through the secretary instead
of receiving them verbally.
Mr.. Easton outlined what he considered
were the objects and work of the conven-
ton.
A motion to renew the calling of the roll
was lost. a
1t was moveHand carried that the com
mittee on resolutions present their report
at 2 p. m. to. day.
TIE convention then adjourned until II
q. N.