The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-05
SCHOOL SYSTEM
SEVERELY ASSAILED
Federation of Women's Clubs
Take Strong Action.
SOME REFORMS DEMANDED
Yesterdays Session Was Exclusively Devoted
to the interest of Better System
for the Schooling Of the Ris-
ing Generation.
Special to The Age-Herald.


Selma, May 4.-The delegates to the Fed
GRAFTON of Womens Clubs resumed work
this morning none the less worse for the
designations of the night before at a re-
ception. rendered by the Selma ladies at
the residence of Mrs. w. r. WEIGH.
The session today was devoted to eduea-
ton, and after a duet by Misses Holt and
Atkins, which was much enjoyed Mrs.
Morresetta, chairman of the committee on
education of the State ederation, made the
report of that committee in an excellent
paper, which secured for her frequent APP
plause The Federation is much enthused
over the betterment of the educational
facilities in Alabama. and in their efforts
they have secured much information from
DIR. Phillips of Birmingham that has aided
them materially. Mrs. Marsett's paper
was a fearful arraignment of the educa-
tional system of Alabama.
The following resolutions were then unan-
imously adopted by the convention:
Whereas, Our beloved state of Alabama
ranks third in illiteracy among the states
of the union, being exceeded only by South
Carolina and Louisiana, both of which
have recently adopted new constitutions
with provisions favorable to the develop
Whereas, Such illiteracy in Alabama OPP
crates as a bar to civil, moral and religious
progress, and retards the industrial and
commercial development of the state; and,
Whereas The public school system of Ala
bama is at present entirely inadequate to
meet the demands of the age, and wipe
ut this curse illiteracy,
Be it Reslved 1. That we implore the
mothers of Alabama to use their best ef-
forts n
children of the state better educational
privileges
2. That we request the press of the state
to continue the good work it has already
begun in favor of such immediate leglsla-
ton as will give the state better schools
and longer terms. better teachers and more
intelligent supervision.
3. That we urge the business men and
the commercial associations of Alabama to
cooperate with the committee of thirty
three of the Alabama Educational associa-
ton in securing the enactment by the next
general assembly of such laws as will i'm
mediately improve the condition of the
common schools of the state.
4. That we ask the prayers and active
sympathy of the clergy of the state, and
the assistance of the churches of all de-
nominations in the development of public
sentiment strong enough to demand for
the children Of the state adequate educa-
tional facilities.
8. That the State Federation of Women's
Clubs hereby pledges the sympathy and
active cooperation of it's membership, with
the committee of thirty-three. in their eff
fort to secure educational reform through
the enactment of necessary laws by the
next general assembly.
6. That a committee consisting of one
from each club represented in the Fedora
tion be appointed by the president to me-
rio1i1 no 1x 10
operate in such manner as they deem best
with the committee of the Alabama Educa-
tional association to secure the additional
reforms needed in Alabama.
Mrs. MeConaugley from the special com
1uittee on the Girls Industrial school at
Montevallo, reported recommending that
each club make per capita tax of $l.40
the proceeds to be used in educating girls.
The recommendation was adopted, and the
clubs were requested to report how many
would pursue this course.
The following are the clubs who have
adopted so far, with names of ladies' re-
spending:
Cadmean Circle, Birmingham-Mrs. JOS
eph McLester.
Clionian Circle, Birmingham-Mrs. Rich
ard Randolph.
Highland Book Club, Blrmingham-Mrs.
Fenelon Club, Birmingham-Miss Lucille
Smith.
Edgewood Club. Birmingham-Mrs. e. ].
McCrossin.
Novelist Club, woodlawn-Mrs. F. w.
Dusham.
Pierian Club, East Lakc-Mrs. w. E.
Sorsby.
Amaranth Club, Birmlngham--Miss Lura
Thursday Literary Club, selma-Mrs. w.
w. Quaries
studiosos, Anniston-Mrs. Robert Mccall
ley.
Mrs. P. II. Nell. of Album, read splen-
did paper on Co-Education She was fol-
lowed by Mrs J. T. McLenor. who read
a paper prepared by Mr.. J. NJ Weatherly
on Industrial Schools for Boys"
Mrs r. y. Johnston suggested that some
plan should be adopted whereby school
for young white criminals could be found
ed.
Mrs M. r. Jarvis. the backbone of the
Aiabama Federation next read fine pa
per on "Chatauqua and Its Educational
Value" and the session was over for the
morning.