Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-01
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE For Jefferson County Formally
 Opened Last Night. LARGE ATTENDANCE PRESENT Upbuilding of the Schools and Needed Legislation
 Discussed.
LARGE ATTENDANCE PRESENT

The Jefferson County Teachers' institute
 held it's first meeting of the year at the
 high school building last night.
 The president of the institute, Prof. H.
 P. Burruss, called the meeting to order at
 8 o'clock, there being about 200 teachers
 present to enjoy and take part in the ex- ercises. Quite number of Birmingham ladies and gentlemen who are not engaged in teaching were also present to enjoy the
 proceedings.
 The exercises were opened with prayer
 by Rev. R. B. Gray, D. D. An address of welcome was then delivered by Hon. J. A.
 VanHoose, mayor of Birmingham. The
 honorable mayor's short speech was filled
 with pleasantries that pleased the audi ence greatly, and there seems to be no doubt but that the best interests of the public schools throughout this state are close to his heart.
 Another address of welcome was deliv- cred by Dr. Samuel Ullman in behalf of the
 board of education. His address was re-
 plete with sentiments of hearty welcome and praise for the noble efforts of the
 teachers in directing the minds of the young to lofty and patriotic aspirations.
 Well.timsd and appropriate responses
 Prof. l. w. McAdory, county superintend-
 ent of education, and Prof. H. 5. Burruss
 of Mount Pinson.
 During short intermission in the pro- ceedings the audience was entertained by
 several musical selections rendered by Miss
 Lilly Drennen and Miss Alice Fallon, mem-
 bers of the Birmingham High school
 "Inadequacy of Alabama's Present
 School System'' was then announced as
 the question for discussion. Hon. Solo, omon Palmer, ex.state superintendent of education, was the first speaker, and he showed very clearly that there were many needed reforms in our public school sys- tenn. He stated that the greatest need of all, though, was more money. He said Alabama's fundamental law was too re- strictive as to taxation; especially was this so with regard to school taxation. He favored au amendment to@the consultation that would allow local taxation for the sup port of schools. At the conclusion of Hoy HnSQlomon PaImer's speech Hon. Johl arner, state superintendent of educa pad an able paper upon the "Remed he ln- System.'' His paper was filled valu- able suggestions, but he was coI Yelled to
 admit that there was great need Of more taxation for the support of schools. He advocated a change in the constitution
 that would permit localities to tax them- selves for the better support of schools. 'sI advocate this, he said, "knowing that the only benefit would receive from it would be the indirect benefit would de- TlN6 lTOm llVluS dAhouB PooPAC "uoSC oN cational advantages are increased year by year. have no children of my own, but want to see all the children of other men receive good educations. 1 own property right here in the city of Birmingham-in fact, claim this city as my home, and want to say to you that am willing for my property to be taxed at greater rate fl it will benefit Birmingham and her public schools"
 This statement was received with hearty l applause and made every person in the | hall friend of the state superintendent of | education.
 | Col. John M. Martin being present was | invited to address the institute on the same l subject. He made strong appeal for pub l lie schools and pointed out many ways l whereby they could be improved. | A running discussion was then engaged l ticipating in the debate, and at 10:30 l o'clock the convention adjourned until to- | morrow morning at 9 o'clock.
 1 The sessions of the institute are public. l The programme for the entire session was printed in yesterdays AaE- HERALD.