The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-12
PROF. WILSON POPULAR.
MUCH LARGER ATTENDANCE At
MORNING PR1YERS NOW.
The Necessity of Establishing County High
schools Argued-Mr. Jeherson's Ed
ucationai Plan Recalled.

The trustees Of Washington and Lee
University decided in the term OF 1861
70 raise the entrance examinations to a
degree which would make II necessary
for students 10 know a great deal more
than had previously been required. The
faculty. with an admirable spirit Of self
sacrifice. agreed unanimously to this re-
form In consequence the preparatory
department Of the college is done away
with.
The special friends OF colleges through
out the State, where such changes have
been made. are greatly interested In
every sort OF provision for secondary edu-
! cation.
Mr.. Jefferson's plan for a system OF
! public instruction consisted of three de-
! partments-the primary schools. which
! We're 10 be established in every district
| I'm the State: the secondary department
or academies. which were TO lead the
! pupils Of the lower grades on through the
! higher education and become feeders for
| the colleges. and university. central in
location. which should be the capstone
! Of the structure.
Existing conditions long prevented the
| fun development OF this plan. Like the
| Irishman. Virginians began by taking the
second quarter first.
THE THIRD FEATURE.
Nearly fifty Gears after Mr. jefferson
built the University. "the beloved child
Of his old age tho primary schools Of
the State crept slowly and laboriously
into existence. II has remained for the
close OF the century 10 see the effort
| made 10 carry out the fun plan Of the
| father Of public schools I'm Virginia by
| supplying the intermediate part OF the
system. This is the link without which
a true and finished education IS impossi-
bic.
The private academies have been so
| poorly supported and are so few I'm num-
Der that they do not graduate a 1.-THE as
! many students as are needed TO supply
| the demands Of the colleges II the pres
I ent effort succeeds I'm Rockbrdge county
the stronghold Of the sturdy Scotch
| Irish who founded the log college" when
| they were making homes in the wilder
| ness few years ought 10 see there
| al least a hundred students prepared to
| enter upon the higher education OF the
| universities
Tho only provision IN the public school
| law outside Of cities is IN allowing the
| higher branches 10 be taught In the
| primary schools. where ~ can be done
| without divcrting the teachers attention
too much from the lower branches.
This provision has accomplished some
thing. but has generally been unsatis-
| factory and neglected.
Ordinarily proper teachers cannot be
found. and when found the temptation is
20 give preference TO the secondary in
struction over the primary grades. Hence.
outside Of the cities. there is very little
effective teaching Of the higher branches.
After nearly thirty years OF experience
the conductors Of the public school sys-
tenn have unanimously come 20 the con-
clusion that the secondary branches must
bee taught in separate schools, IL really
taught M an. and that by all means there
should Doc some effective provision for
that class OF boys and girls who really
desire an education and are compelled to
look TO the State for the means Of ac-
curing It. The proof of this was album
dainty shown 40 the superintendent Com
ference in Richmond In the spring OF 1897.
So far as could be inferred from the daily
discussions they were unanimously IN
favor OF the introduction Of county high
schools.
DISTRICTS TO UNITE
No one school district can ordinarily
furnish enough pupils 10 maintain a sepa-
rate high school. hence the importance
Of allowing the districts 10 unte i'm this
work and in most cases one school for a
county would bee sufficient. IT. Is not
proposed 10 place the whole burden OF
these schools ON the public school funds.
but 10 charge a. somewhat higher tuition
fee than is at present allowed. These
fees should not exceed 81 or s. per month.
| II would be expected that the district
funds should be used pro rata in pro-
| yidiHs accommodations for the school
! and paying contingent expenses, the
! teachers 10 be appointed by thu county
school board. The county board should
also have the slme sort OF supervision
over the high school that district boards
have over their schools.
Thus only is it possible for the children
OF the rural districts 10 have equal adj
vantages with those of the cities in the
matter of secondary education.
There seems some reason 10 hope that
the present assembly Will authorize the
establishment of such schools at least
IN those counties whose trustees apply
Tor permission.
College men think that the establish
ment OF county high schools would great
] ~ hffflbp DNhii' ttlA'i'rN 4A iN' iti0ii'
education ana minister much 10 the pros
perity of the colleges.
The friends OF higher education for
women may well favor a scheme Of this
sort IN would az least be an effective
start In the direction OF an educationa.
provision for women some what cores
pOnding with that made for men.
! BY private and ecclesiastical influence
female colleges are coming into exist
| ence Wherever they desire 10 be col
leges indeed, they see the Importance OF
relegating the secondary brai ches TO sec
ondary schools proper.
This too should be encouraged, for IT
the present condition OF public sentiment
on the subject IN Virginia, most Of th'
women wishing 10 acquire a college e''-
cation must look 20 the womans col
lsge to bestow II upon her
PRESIDENT WILSON'S INFLUENCE
| President Wilson. Of Washington anC
Lee. is heartily IN sympathy with th'
move for a county high school and VII
do all i'm bis power 10 assist IT,
The new president is very popular VIII
the students and ii is very gratfyint
TO the friends Of the college 10 see tha
his personal influence with the boys i
steadily increasing.
one way in which this is shown IS b'
the larger attendance OF the students al
morning prayers. Attendance on relig
Gus exercises is not compulsory and foi
n long time the attendance has been very
limited without making any change II
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