The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-31
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lCnnLinued .irom seeond pnge.l

4 lContinupd from second pages
"What Supervisors May do to Raise
the Standard of Scholarship. Among
our Public School Teachers" was the
: subject of an able and most entertaining
address by Prof. NJ. G. S. Noble, super
visor Of New Hanover county anu su-
perintendent of the Wilmington graded
schools.
Prof Noble emphasized the value OF
trained teachers an. said that the SUI
pervisor ought to endeavor to get com
mttees to employ such, even if by 50
doing the school term is shortened, for
good teacher can do more in one month
1 than Il poor teacher can do in two or
] three months. The value of n school
taught by scholar will assert itself
and then u longer term will be de-
manded.
"Read the best educational books and
Journalist he said, '.and attend as often
as posi- lie thus getting the best educa-
| tional thought Of the day. Be men of
scholarship yourselves and strive to mas
! ter the best methods of imparting in
structiOn. Conduct monthly teachers
meetings and give outlines of model
| lessons"
1HE NIGHT SESSION.
At the night session three addresses
were made-all Of them good. But one
OF them, DR.. McIver's,. was especially
suggestive and helpful, filled as it was
with the ideas that must be embodied
in the future school system of this coun-
try.
Inc first of these addresses was made
INrA I Doll 81 fhn
cal Recorder. MORAL Character as a
Factor in Granting Certificate" was his
subject.
tie took the ground that we could not
depend upon the homes, tue Sunday
schools or the churches for moral educa-
ton, as so many children are beyond
the reach of the church. Sunday school
or good homes. Upon the teachers of the
public schools, licensed by the county
supervisors, he said, the State must de-
pend most largely for this training.
THE Graded Course of Study for
County Schools" was the subject dis
cussed by Prof. = Claton, of the State
Normal and Industrial College.
The last speaker was President Chas
D. McIver, of the State Normal and
Industrial College, at Greensboro.
What Supervisors May do to Secure
Needed Legislation in 1885," was his
subject He took the ground that there
was not a great deal of legislation
needed, hut that the local tax election
next year ought to be held on the same
day as the regular election This, he
said, would save expense and also in
sure more general public interest in the
election and it's result.
wv thout local taxation experimenting
the State tax no system of schools mas
ever been satisfactory in this State or
elsewhere
DIR. McIYer discussed township owner
ship Of text books and suggested it as
means of securing uniformity of books
at a cheaper rate to the people, and as
means Of securing better attendance,
as many parents keep their children
away from school because they do not
feel able to buy books.
The possibility of securing good school
buildings by issuing bonds was sug-
gested. as bonds are issued for railroads.
new court houses, paved streets and
other public improvements where the
expense of inaugurating them is too
heavy to be borne by one generation.
The only two public improvements
that go practically to every mans door
are the public schools and public roads,
and yet no bonds have ever been voted
for them. They are the most important
permanent public improvements in any
agricultural community"
The speaker also advocated a mild
form of compulsory education, by re-
.quiring that every boy who comes to
his majority after 1905 must be able to
read the Constitution of his State and Of
the United States, both of which he
will swear to support, before he can
vote. 'This would Eot deprive any man
who is now unable to read of his vote
hut would simply prevent recruits to the
great army of illiterate voters after
1905 or such date as may be agreed
upon.
''In addition to the county supervisors
it is necessary to have nine or ten dis
trict supervisors, whose duty it shall he
to stimulate educational thought and
activity among the teachers and the
people, The State Superintendent is
the only man employed for all of his
time to act as a school supervisor and
educational leader. Some one of the
strongest representatives. of public educa-
ton ought to come in contact with
each community every year. Such SUI
pervision and leadership cannot be Sc
cured by our system of county super
visors or the old system of county super
In order to secure the best
service man can give he must be en-
pl0yed all his time in one field and must
be able to make his living in that field