The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-07
ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
CONTINUED From First Page)


and we desire TO express our apprecia-
ton OF the highly efficient and faithful
manner in which they have discharged
tho duties OF the office. We also wish
TO express our regret that the illness Oh
His Excellency, Governor O'Ferrail mas
prevented his being with us during the
conference.
80. Further that we desire to thank in
a specia. manner Mr.. j. \. McGlvray.
secretary Of the Board of Education, Tor
his constant attendance and never-faiiins
courtesles to the members of this body.
IS. That we heartily thank Drs. Harris
Of NasMngt'n ana SINNER OF New YORK
for their able papers and speeches, ana
the inspiration thereby given TO the su-
perintendent of the State. Also to many
other prominent educators for their pres
once and kindly work.
Il. That the thanks OF this body are
due and are hereby rendered TO Col John
Bell Bigger. clerk of the House OF Dele
gates. for the use of his office ana other
courtesies. SO kindly extended 10 the mem
bers OF this conference. Also 10 MI
Richardson. Register OF, the Land once,
and to his assistants. for their thoughtful
attention to the conference during It's
sessions in the hall Of the House OF Dele-
gates.
"5. That we thank the press OF the CITY
for the published proceedings OF the meet
ing. 49,.
'6. We also desire to express TO the
various transportation companies ana ''e
hotels of this city our appreciation OF
the courtesies shown in the way Oh re-
duced rates and kind treatment.
The report was adopted, and a recess
vas then taken until $50 p. NJ.
OF Moestas confectionery this morning
Hon. J. l.. VI. Curry
For the last time the conference was
called to order by President Massey last
evening at o'clock, who at once intro
duced Hon j. l.. NJ. Curry to the audi
ence. who. he said, had almost done more
for education than any other living man.
At this stage OF the proceedings, Gov
ernor OFcrrall entered the hall ana
was heartily greeted by the audience IN
the meantime DR.. Curry stepped TO the
front and after the applause had SUBJ
sided. he said:
Il do not know how much Of this APP
nIause is meant for the Governor and
how much for me- but whatever you
give TO him. 1 shall be very glad to par
ticipate in"
I'm the way OF an introduction the
sneaker said he had been laborlng for
education in the Southern States for
good many years, and he was glad 10
sneak Oh this occasion to his own citi-
zens on such an important subject.
lie pointed out that the subject of
manual Training that had been assign
ed him. would require unusual attention
on the part of the audience. lie thought
however, that those who had listened 10
DR.. Harris on the previous evening, could
readily follow him. In his opinion Dr.
Harris was the most intellectual man III
the United States.
As the general manager of the Peabody
and states Education funds. the speaker
said. he came In close contact with the
Superintendents of Public instruction in
the different States. and he had met no
more efficient progressive and broad
minded superintendent than Hon. John
T.. Massey.
DIR. CURRY'S ADDRESS.
DR.. Curry then spoke in substance as
follows
Education is a result and process
the idea of education is harmonious de-
velopment of all the powers or man.
This right OF completest development OF
education is an inalienable and universal
right Of every human being, and the
states must provide for it. Education
should not lie so conducted as to offer
only benefits to five hundredths of all
the people. but It should be of benefit TO
all the people. Great progress has been
made i'm the comprehension or the true
ends. the philosophy. the science OF edu-
cation. and In no question pertaining 10
education has there been greater advance
than in what pertains to industrial or
manual training,
For Hundreds Of years the masses were
kept in ignorance, and for the elect few
were schools and colleges ana universities
supported Now under Democratic and
Christian influences the people are enti-
tied to freedom and to preparation for
lifes duties. Education as abstraction
Is of very little value; It is not so much
an end as a means; It must he shaped 10
meet the needs of the industrial classes
In order 10 be of heneht to all.
WHAT kind of schooling is best adapted
TO them. to tit them for the
discharging OF the dates OF
families and citizenship The large
number OF men are wage-eatners
and workers. and to them n SKILLED hand
Is as important as a wel-filed head.
Manual training is 6.stinguishable
from apprenticeship from trade
schools. from institutes of :ech-
nOlogv for It gives thorough
course OF instruction In the
principal operations OF all mechanical
trades. The instruction. theoretical and
practical Is not based on the details OF
the trade, but on the principles underly-
ing. while not teaching trades. the
manual training schools bring their pu-
pills a long way on towards learning many
trades. This education is valuable for dis
cipline as we'll as for use; It upholds
character.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION.
Manual training has a psychological
foundation. u cutivates observation
the perceptve powers. leads TO more ex-
act knowledge of things. TO accurate
thinking and careful education Manual
training does not reside primarily in the
hand but i'm the mind. One must think
before he acts Pupils are trained to be-
lieye in work. to respect work, 10 have
sympathy with the laborer.
1.-THE rabbi has said: The man who does
not teach his son trade, teaches him
robbery
1.-THE ordinary courses OF study lead
away from work, and give no preparation
nor inclination for work. The result OF
manual training IL the perfect demonstra-
ton on one point, that the work done
I'm mathematics, geography and other stu
dies in those schools is by no means in
ferior to the same studies as they are
taught IN other schools.
"In this country 81 per cent OF the
children receive their education in the
public schools. and they are fore-ordained
10 a life Of toll They must work or beg
a. q. .~fs, aul M n ryf