Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-23
1HE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Turns Out Two Hundred and
 Twenty-Six MatricuIateS. ALABAMA IS PROUD OF HER School For Girls, Which Teaches Telegraphy, Stenography, Dress Making, Cooking
 and Other Accomplishments
ALABAMA IS PROUD OF HEF

MonteValO, May 22.-(Speclal COfIe- spordence. .)-One of the most Interesting studies today in the state is this new creation of the Alabama legislaEure- the Polytechnic Institute for Girls. Novel in the departure from it's beaten track, experimental in it's expenditure of pub lie money, encouraging the weaker sex ito throw off the bondage of centuries and compete with man for livelihood in in duu'rial pursuits, it's career IS watched with interest. Alabama has for half ceTpruy been spending public money for the higher education of her boys, but never before for her girls. No sooner were the doors of this novel institution opened than it's halls were filled to over- flowing with earnes. girls to fHt them- selves to contend for the prizes awaiting the successful in industrial Nocatlors, Two hundred and twenty six matrlculate on s5o00 anual appropriation in their behalf in he first year Of it's existence, probably a greater number than either at TuScaloO;a or Auburn, which receive over S25000 each annually.
 Some of our people are beginning 10 believe that a girl is as good IS boy as bright as a boy, and that she deserves as much consideration in educational adVanb3geS-that she is as important factor in the adVa ncement of the state. We trust tha15 this belief will continue ito grow, and that appropriations in the girls behalf will be nereased-especially when girl can be educated on $S5 per annum, as is done at this school, when it takes $250 for boy at Tuscaloosa or Auburn. We are confident that there will be at least 500 applicants for ad- mission in this school a. it's next session so eager are the girls for an industrial education.
 LOCATION.
 There were six or more places in thu state competing for ,he location of this school. After a spirited contest the board of trustees gave it ta Montevallo-a mountain in a valley-a plucky little vil- lage of 300 nhabMants-si,uated on an elevated plateau in Cahaba valley, near the geographical center of the state, where the great Appalachian range of n1ouu.ains me1s in,iJo beautifully undu- iatir=<s Kills, dotted witch picturesque farm hcuSes to the south, while to the north, the mineral regions, rich in un old wealh, stretch out in mountain ranges beyond the reach of the eye. The Cahaba river is ten miles to the west, the Coosa river twerl1y miles 70 the eaIb
 The college buildings are in an exten- sive grove of native oaks-a giar,t each -that crowns the hill overlooking the little town, skirted on either side by moun ain streams. We think it was as much this ideal pface-fit abode for the gods, where Hebe might have served IltCNdT lb JuDlIer-dS the snug purse 5UI $9 900 cash that secured the school
 dt might have been ether considera ions more valued than the gold or the pictur- esqre grove, namely: The moral tone and culture of the quiet good people of the town Be tha. as il may, the wisdom of the boards action is fully impressed upon the patrcirls of the school when they visit the place. Every house has been con- verted into home for these young girls. A mcl hers love and fathers protect iHrr T T night. They are "our school" and "our girls What more could be asked Of them?
 THE FACULTY.
 Capt. H. c. Reynolds, a resident of the town for years. who was largely instlu- merital in having the school located at Montevallo, is it's president. He is merchant, not educator by profeasicn- thcrcueh-going business man, cillltur- ed Christian gentleman as full of energy, 'aild enthusiasm as an egg is of meat. The trustees of the Columbia college, New York Clty, one of the richest schools in the United States, few years ago eleIlIted a merchant of their city, the ex- mayor eff Brooklyn as it's president Un- der his sl-lenCid nJ2yr7 elsment the school soon outgrew its quarters. Today 1t oc- cupieS the hand soonest educational build ing In this country in Riverside Park, on 6he Hudson This man of business has placed this school in the van of Amerd- can institutions of learning. The trustees of the Ala anna Polytechnic Institute for Girls in few years will have to provide other buildings, in addition to those now planned, to accommodate the pupils that will flock to it's walls of learning under the management of its business president There are fourteen different schools or branches of study:
 Geology and Psychology--These schools are presided over by the lady principal Mrs. Mary c. Babb, who has been a sue cessful teacher for twenty-two years Her first experience was in Chickasaw Female college, Mississippi where she was gradua;;ed. Afterwards she taucbt mental science in Soule college. Murfrees- boro, Tenn, then phsycology and math- emstics in Memphis Conference Female Institute. She is lady of rare culture and executive ability.
 English and History-Miss Annie Ken nedy, a ripe scholar and painstaking teacher, devoted to her work, has charge of these schools. She has had fifteen years experie nee. For some years she was in Knoxville Female college in it's palmiest days. She keeps apace with the advanced methods and clicks the best efforts of her pupils.
 III.
 Mathematics-Prof R. J. H. Simmous Is in charge of this department He SlHuualeu lrOil AuDurn III lSSh, 8 nd has fhe reputa tton of being one of the best mathematicians in the state. He teaches 'she process before the rule. and has the happy faculty of clear presentation and lucid explanation. His pupils are extrav- egart in his praise.
 ".
 Music.-This department is under the supervision of four accomplished musi- clans: Miss Addie Lee, directress; Miss Laura Dale, piano and guitar; Miss Sallie Crumpton. vocal culture; Miss Edna Bush, piano. These ladies have had the advantage of the best musical training in this country Miss Lee gradttated from the Judson, and taught music there for three years. Afterwards she spent some time at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and perfecting her self in this line. She is musician of high rank. Miss Bush gradua ted from Wards seminary, where she won the highest honors in music She has since pursued her studies in the New York College of Music, and for the past six years has been teaching in New York City and other places