Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-04
ADDRESSES OF THE OPENING SESSION
Secretary McGiIvrny Welcomes the
Visitors, and Mr.. Perkins ne
spOnds-Mr. Massey and Major
Scott Also speai-Those Present.


ceedings were opened with prayer by
Rev. DR.. Cooper, who returned thanks
TO Almighty God for the public school
system; implored blessing on the de-
liberations of the conference, on the exc
cutive officers, and the teachers.
In calling the body to order, President
Massey said he would not attempt to
express his pleasure at seeing so many
of the educators present. Neither would
he forestall work that could be done
so much better by some one else but he
took pleasure in introducing one who
had worked ipdefatigably to advance the
educational interests of the State, Mr.
j. n. McGilvray, secretary of the Board
OF Education and of the conference, who
would extend a welcome to all present
GIVEN A CORDIAL WELCOME.
Mr.. McGilvray said in part: II take it
that Nirginians scarcely need n welcome
TO their own capital. Richmond Is
proud city. She rejoices in the reputation
of her professional men, in her social lie,
and glores i'm being the capital OF the
Old Dominion. Richmond rejoce5 also
in the power Of her public schools. You
have assembled 10 quicken the pulse OF
educational thought. Every one knows
that an evolution I'm school measures Is
children. You represent an investment
OF 5000 900 and an annual expenditure OF
over 100000. The State recognizes the
expense OF education as q debt due TO
future generations She afiirms that
character building is the chief concern
of the State, and an Investment that
yields ample return i'm good citizenship.
] can bear testimony to the efficiency OF
the corps of assistants in Virginia. our
system IS not perfect, our wants are well
known, but the outlook is suspicious
The speaker then closed by extending
in the name of himself and the citizens
of Richmond a very cordial welcome 10
the Flower of the Old Dominion"
RESPONSE OF MIR. PERKINS.
Mr.. Massey then introduced Mr.. Will
liam Perkins. OF Pulaski county, TO reply
to the address of welcome. Mr.. Perkins
said: I'm behalf Of the members of this
conference, it is my honor to reply to the
cordial and eloquent address of welcome.
In this hall, this city, the capital, We
are at home in our fathers house, and
when the conference is over were going
back to sing the praises of heroic, classic
Richmond on the James," Mr.. Perkins
then spoke with feeling of the reasons
which should inspire pride of citizenship
in the breast OF every native-born Viz
gnian. Continuing, he said: I'VE have
come TO this conference with the deter
mination TO make 1t success, and we
hope to go back TO our home with the
proud consciousness OK duty well per-
formed.
1--WE are glad TO be here, Mr.. Presi-
dent" continued he; glad to meet the
friends of education, but we are espe-
cially glad TO meet the great triumvirate,
the Board of Education. We are glad OF
the opportunity offered of consulting the
board upon vital questions. Let us per-
feet the free-school system. Let perfec-
ton be our motto"
MAJOR SCOTS ADDRESS.
President Massey expressed regret at
the absence OF Governor OFerrall, from
whom he had received a Telegram de-
claring that he was unable 70 be present
or make an address by the advice of his
physician. Another member Of the state
Board was present. he said, who would
feels in the educational advance of the
State. He then introduced Attorney-Gene-
raj Scott.
Major Scott said that at the close of
the nineteenth century il would be super
fuous to descant on the advantages OF
education. Without it man Is but a beast
of burden. In the first place, he con-
tinued, "see that you have teachers. You
don't want people to hear lessons You
want teachers with ideas. When you
teach history, teach 1t truthfully, espe-
cially Virginia history; They say tesch-
ing history is to teach by example; see
that you set good example. In the
SUPERINTENDENT footsteps walk all his
teachers. While you are here say what
YOU want and what you need. What do
you think about the list of books you usey
Let this conference touch elbows, super
intendents OF counties. Inquire OF your
brother what he IS doing. Then there can
be no such word as fail" Major Scott
impressed upon his hearers the necessity
of getting a truthful history. that should
faithfully represent this State The ciylll-
zation that had educated free OF cost
l2l.777 negroes since the war was equal
in every respect to the civilization oil
Plymouth Rock.
MIR. MASSSEY'S THANKS.
Mr.. Massey spoke of the extent of what
he was pleased TO call his family OIL
362, 1913 souls. He urged upon ms hearers
the Importance and the Sacredness or the
obligations they were under as superlh-
tendents He thanked all for attending
the conference. He meant 1t, he said, as
no fusome compliment. that he believed
Virginia had one OF the most encleht
CORPS OF superintendents In the Union.
SUPERINTENDENT Dobie, of Norfolk. intro
duced a resolution expressing regret at
the absence of the Governor, ana sincere
sympathy with him in his prolonged SICK
President Tyler, of William and Mary,
College. and Professor Hail, OF Randolph
Macon College, were present, ana We're
invited 10 seats on the rostrunl, comph-
ment which both Acknowledged brieny,
The conference then adjourned until
to-day. There will be three sessions-at ~
O'Clock. 3. and $50.
THOSE WHO ARE HERE.
The superintendents in attendance upon
the conference are q. w. Hutney, Rock
ingham county; W. -. Smith, Scott; J. M.
Banks. Madison; G.. W Hardy Lunenburg;
William NJ. Perkins, Pulaski X. n. WI
liams. Tazewell; John Temple, King ana
Queen; Il. c. Powell, Dinwiddiei -. %.
Mears. Princess Anne; George Il. Clarke
Surry; John X. Russell, Henrico; w. ~
Coons x-superintendenD, culpeper; -. >.
Williams. Northampton; Edw. X, Balrd,
Essex; q. NJ. Weldon. stafford; John w.
Mapp. Accomac; NJ. NJ. Lynch, Frederick;
Frank w. Lewis. Lancaster; q. I. Eu-
bank. Northumberland; James h. Gle
ments, Alexandria,. r.. q. Peale, augusta,
T.. L. Lakln Bath A. g. smith, Caroline;
Morris Henryj II. 5. Brown, Franklin;
II. b. Watson, Pittsylyania; Thomas h.
Barksdale. Halifax; James G, Hanes,
Buckingham; S. ID. Milford. Charles City;
l.. S. Foster, Mathews; James III. Allen
James City; II. T. Armistead. Williams
burg: Thomas w. Smith, Chase city; Dr'
William II. Hening, Powhatan; Z. 6
paris. Charlotte; W. G. Fitzpatrick, Mel
son: John n. West. Norfolk; II. }. Faris,
Fluyanna: Il. p. Wills. Fredericksburg'
II. ID. Ragland, Goochland; j. X. Banks
dale. Albemarle; ID. l.. Pulliam, Manches-
ter: j. II. Powell. Newport News; Lee
Britt. Suffolk, Nansemond: w. J.. stones
York: w c. Williams, Orange: j. b. NC
Inturff. Shenandoah: O. Il. Roy. Warren;
Charles f.. Graves. Page; }. +. Bryah.,
Southampton; Gavin ROWS, Isle or wight;
George h. Jennings, Green; John h. ba-
Bland James III. Gwathmey, King VIII
liam: X. G. Stevens. Roanoke: n. ID.
Hawkins Bedford: III. NJ. Clarkson. Prince
william; Richard "A. Dobie, Norfolk' D.
III. Crafford, Warwick: q. II. Hubbard,
Wythe; j. L.. Wilson, Cumberland: NJ. ID.
II M a la