Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-07

y e.
Schools purely directed toward n lite
rary outcome leave unprofted large
per cent. OF the pupils. Eighty-seven per
cent. Of the children OF the land get their
education in the public schools. What
kind OF education do these toiling mil
lions need? These children are fore
ordained to Industries; they must work
beg or steal"
is A DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS.
DR.. Curry here briefly touched upon
the institution OF slavery. and declared
that It's worst feature was its paralysis
OF southern energy through the ignorant
labor Il provided. He said labor arc
thought were too far apart. and educa-
ton must combine them. IL had been too
Intellectual and had not availed itself
OF accessories IN observation and nature.
nor trained hand and eye. Manual
training was not mere theory,
nor an experiment, nor an inno-
walton, but demonstrated success. Since
1890 II had been recognized as a part OF
the English system of public elementary
education. 1t had been in practical opera
ton for boys and girls In hundred
places in the United States. Productive
industry demanded educated intelligence
10 supervise its direction. DR.. Curry In
accomplished along this line in England
Germany, and France. and pointed out
very strongly the fact that the lack OF
manual training in our system of instruc-
ton was a great weakness. He br efy
referred to his effort to persuade the City
Council OF Richmond 10 incorporate this
feature into the public school system
here some years ago.
DR.. Curry closed his splendid address
by contrasting TO Virginia's advantage
the value OF her focal superintendent
with that of some other States. and de-
cared that without such supervision M
system of schools could be efficiently car
ried on. He congratulated Virginia upon
the strong moral support accorded hei
school system.
THE GOVERNORS PLEASANT WORD;
Governor Charles r. OFerrall. who by
virtue Of his office is president Of th'
State Board Of Education, and who wa:
present at the evening session, was called
upon by the president OF the conference
who introduced him in most appro
pirate manner. The Governor was re-
ceived with applause, and i'm beginning
his remarks spoke Of Virginia's great
history and her achievements in time:
of peace and times of war. He referred
to the development of her school system
in most complimentary terms, and saic
that the superintendent were to be con
graduated upon their patriotism and de
votion to the cause in which they were
enlisted. He felt gratified that so many
of them were present, and com
plimented the body in that they
had revealed the profound nature o.
their interest In their work. The Gov
ernor especially laid stress upon th'
Importance OF having men of the high
est degree of integrity and ability L
superintend the schools of Virginia. TIT
body of superintendents. as at present
constituted. was a source of pride anG
qualification to him. Governor OFerral
closed by regretting his inability TO hav'
| been with the superintendents during
their deliberations, and by expressing hi
| pleasure at being able TO be present OF
the evening of the last formal exercises
After the Governors speech, which wa
received with prolonged applause, Mt
! Massey took occasion to say that tn
| close of the session had been all tina
the suspicious opening had indicated tina
il would be. and that his belief was tina
the good results of the meeting would b.
seen in the future work of the publi
| schools of Virginia. The meeting theI
closed sine die. and Governor OFerrall
| by request, held an informal reception.
Many of the superintendent left TO
their homes last night, but those witt
remained in the city will spend to-da,
in visiting the public schools and thu
points Of interest in and around Rich
| mond.