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

cessity for the Incorporation of such a
scheme into our laws.
DR.. Lewis. Superintendent of Lancas-
ter county. sustained the position Of Mr..
Williamson in brief, but admirable,
address.
Superintendent Ragland. Of Goochland
county. opposed the adoption of compul-
sorry education in Virginia. expressing
the conviction that Improvement of the
schools would remedy existing evils IN
the matter Of school attendance. Su-
perintendent Williams, of Tazewell
county. favored some form of COM
pulsory attendance, and called at
tention to the extra expense attending
such movement
Superintendent Barks1ale, Of Halifax,
expressed his approval Of the idea OF
compulsory attendance in some modihed
form.
WANTED A LAW ENACTED.
Superintendent Clements offered reso-
luton embodylng a request TO the Legls-
lature TO enact a law compelling parents
and guardians TO send their children, be-
tween the ages of 5 and u years, to some
school. at least three months in the year.
etc.
This resolution provoked one OF the
most interesting debates Of the session.
Superaltendents Shumate, HeninS' BIcK
Thomas +. Barksdale, Clements, ana
others participated in the discussion.
The resolution was finally laid on the
table.
The Improvement of School-Houses
and Grounds was the subject treated IN
"A very suggestive paper presented by
Superintendent II. NJ. Garrison, OF
Prince William county.
The discussion was by superintendent
l. \ Preston.
others.
RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS.
The Committee on Arrangements pre-
scented the following report, which was
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, !, That on behalf Of the School
Superintendents in conference assembled,
we extend our thanks to his EXcellency
Governor Charles r. O'Ferrall. the Hon.
r. TAYLOR Scott and the Hon. John II.
Massey members Of the State Board oil
Education, for the uniform courtesy
which has marked their intercourse with
US. and we desire to express our apprecl-
alton Of the highly efficient and faith
full manner in which they have discharged
the duties Of the office. We also wish
TO express our regret that the illness OF
his ExceEency Governor O'FerraD mas
prevented his being with US during the
conference.
2 Further, that we desire to thank in
n special manner Mr.. ]. a. McGilvray,
Secretary of the Board of Education, for
his constant attendance and never railing
courtesies TO the members of this body.
g. That we heartily thank Drs. Harris
of Washington, and Sinner, of New York.
for their able papers and speeches. and
the inspiration thereby given TO the SUI
perintendents of the State. Also. TO
many other prominent educators Tor their
presence and kindly words
l. That the thanks of this body are
due, and are hereby rendered, to Colonel
John Bell Bigger, Clerk Of the House OF
Delegates, for the use Of his office and
other courtesies, so kindly extended TO
the members of this conference.
Also. TO Mr.. Richardson, Register OF the
Land Office. and to his assistants, for
their thoughtful attentions to the con-
ference during its sessions in the Hall of
the House of Delegates.
4 That we thank the press of the city
for the published proceedings Of the
meeting.
G. We also desire to express to the vari-
Gus transportation companies and the
hotels of this city our appreciation Of
the courtesies shown. in the way Of re-
duced rates and kind treatment.
(Signed DR.. JOHN e. MAPP,
Chairman.
On motion q recess was taken until