Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-12
A DECIDED SUCCESS.
THE RECENT GATHERING OF VIRGINIA
TEACHERS AT BEDFORD CITY.
Leading Topics Discussed-A System OF
State Exausinatiops-Payme Of
Tencher5 Salaries.

Mr.. j. A. ncGilvray, secretary OF the
State Board of Education. has returned
from the meeting Of the State Educational
Association and supernterdcnts OF
schools recently held at Bedford CITY.
In reply 10 the question from DIspATcH
reporter yesterday whether the meeting
was r success, Mir. Mctiilvray said: The
meeting was very decided success. In
deed / doubt whel her there has ever been
a similar gathering in the State. While
the officers were in position to feel con
fident of successful meeting some time
in advance of the opening. they did not
anticipate the full measure OF success
awaiting them"
when was the association organized :"
" A temporary organization was elected
last year IN connection with the PEABODY
Institute. held at Lynohburg. ms year
10 yas permanently organized at the JOINT
meeting OF the association aud conference
Of superintendents OF schools"
" Does the association embrace all de-
partmeuts Of school work."
Yes the constitution adopted provides
for DEPARTMENTS Of superintendence, ele-
mentary, secondary, and higher education.
All engaged in educational wOrA are H.
yited 10 become active members OF the as
ISOLATION. The respective departments VIII
be Organized under the direction OF the
Executive Committee. and while each will
have It's distinctive function. all Will WORK
together FOR the cause OF education"
LEADING TOPICS.
"What were the leading topics discuss
ed. and what practical benefit was derived
therefrom ?"
IAN of the topics on the programme in
yolved questions of vital importance IN
our school economy. In my Judgment
Uniformity Of State Examinations OF
Teachers" was the most important sub
jecs considered in relation to the pubic
schools. Hon. John w. Holcombe, de-
putty United States Commissioner OF Edu-
cation, read valuable and practical paper
ON the subject. Dir. Holcombe. while
Superintendent Of Public Instruction OF
Indiana, inaugursted a system of state ex-
aminations that greatly Increased tho
efficiency of the schools Of that state.
His present position has afforded HIM
an opportunity - observe the practi-
cal workings of such systems IN other
States. and he briefly outlined the policy
pursued in Indiana and New York ana
pointed out its adaptability TO our system
of schools. After full discussion the sub
iect was referred to a committee OF which
SUPERINTENDENT l.. &. Glass, of Lynchburg.
was chairman. The committees report
embraced plan which will bring about a
uniform standard of qualifications for IL
censng teachers of public schools. and the
report was unanimously adopted.
TEACHERS SALARIES.
"Pcrhaps the subject, Teachers Sala-
ries-What Legislation Shall be Recon-
mended to Secure More Prompt Pay
ment?" was more cordially welcomed by
the teachers TO place on the programme
IL f.ra
sented scheme which, 1t Is believed, VIII
facilitate the payment of teachers salaries.
He took the position that all Others en-
gagged in the pubic service are promptly
paid. and he could see no reason why all
teachers should not receive their pay regu-
larry and promptly. Mr.. Massey's plan
was commended and he was requested to
bring It before the General Assembly, and
he will do IT.
Miss c. 5. Parrish, Of the state Female
Normal School, fully sustained her reputa-
ton in the paper she presented on Form
Study and Drawing in the Public Schools
Her remarks on the Higher Education OF
Woman" exhibited high intellectual power
and thorough culture, and furthermore.
showed that she Is fully abreast with the
progressive tendency of the times on this
"bianual Training, which IL destined TO
play an important part In revolutionlzlng
educational methods, was treated by lion.
w. b. Powell, superintendent OF schools
Washington, ID. c.: Captain G. l.. Nawter,
ennerintendcnt Miller School: Miss Lud-
low. of the Hampton Normal School, and
others. The discussion on this topic
created strong sentiment IN favor OF IN
Producing some features OF manual tram
ing or industrial education IN our schools,
OLA HIGH ORDER.
"All of the papers presented were Of high
order, and the discussions were frequently
animated and always profitable, OF course,
we can not hope to see immediate practl-
cal results from all of the matters cOnsid-
cred, but the deliberations brought out
many valuable suggestions, created aunity
of feeling, awakened dormant energies, and
inspired renewed conservation. The out
come Will be felt.
"Mr. Massey, as you know, presided and
did it admirably. He dispatched business
promptly, but at the same time invited full
and fair discussion of every subject lie
was the life of the meeting, intersperslng
the exercises with occasional wittlciSms
which III no wise affected the dignity of
the occasion, but afforded moments Of
relIef from the serious business.
Mr. Massey was highly gratlfied at the ex-
cellent attendance Of superintendent and
teachers and their readiness TO cooperate
with him in his efforts TO promote the IN
terests of the public schools.
80 far as am aware every one IN at
tendance was we'll pleased with all arrange
ments for the meeting, except rs to rates
of travel adopted by the railroads. heard
many complaints on this subject. and they
are well founded. School officers and
teachers do not understand why the rail
roads should discriminate against educa-
tional work as they do. AS rule, they
are very active in the development of the
material resources of the State, and surely
they are not so short-slghted as to fail to
observe that educational institutions play
q very important part in that work. The
Executive Committee will give this matter