The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-28
Leading Teachers from All Parts
Of the State
DISCUSSING SCHOOL SYSTEM
Superintendent Of Education
AberCrOmbie Delivered Address,
GAVE SOME INTERESTING HIS TORY
From the Beginning of Our School sys-
tenn in 1S54-Pointed Out the
Detects That Should
Be Remedied
AVE SOME INTERESTING HIS TORY

The eighteenth annual convention of the
Alabama Educational association met yes
terday in Seals hall in this city and will
remain in session until tomorrow after
noon.
The convention is attended by many of
the leading educators of the state and by
teachers from almost every section of Ala
bama, and promises to be one of the most
successful sessions in the history of the
association.
The meeting was called to order at $3.50
O'Clock by Professor ]. NJ. Dewberry, chair
man of the executive committee.
After the invocation by Rev. z. A.
Parker, late president of the Methodist
college at Owenton, Professor ]. B.
Cunningham of this city, first vice-presi-
dent of the association, was called to the
chair made vacant by the recent death of
DR.. b Il. Meeks. who was elected at the
last meeting of the association.
In assuming the chair, Professor
Cunningham referred most feelingly to the
late Dr. Meeks, whom he eulogized as
man and an educator full worthy the
trust which had been reposed in him by
the teachers of Alabama.
The preliminary exercises were opened
with an address of welcome by DR.. j. II.
Phillips, superintendent of the Birmingham
public schools who on behalf of the city,
the mayor and aldermen, the board of ed
ucation and the city and county teachers
extended a hearty welcome to each member
of the association.
He referred to the work which was being
done by the organization in dispensing ig-
noance and illiteraey and in trimming the
lamps, as it were, to shed the light of
knowledge into the darkness which now
permeated the state.
DR. DbiI1iur
programme of entertainment had been ar
ranged, that a trolley ride over the lines
of the Birmingham Traction company
would be rendered to the association this
evening at 0 O'Clock, leaving from the cor
her of First avenue and Twenty-first
street, near the hall.
On Behalf of commercial Club
On behalf of the Commercial club Judge
j. }. Banks welcomed the teachers to the
city Words spring naturally from the
mouth" he said, I'm welcoming to our city
those who are engaged in the noble work
of educating the children of Alabama and
we feel honored that you have selected Bir-
mingham as your meeting place this year"
lie referred most eloquently to the aims
and purposes of the association, in which
he said that the Commercial club, as well
as every other organization was materially
interested.
The upbuildingS of the industrial inter-
eSts of the city and section, he said was
the expressed purpose of commercial and
industrial organization, yet with out the
educated mind to direct it the hand could
do little in the march of progress and
without it Industries would fall into decay
1--WE welcome you most sincerely" he
said, las co-laborers with us, as co-laborers
and teachers engaged in the work of de-
veloping the mind of the youth of Alabama
who will in after years be called upon to
direct the industrial and commercial in
terests of the state"
Judge Banks expressed himself most
forcebly on the subject of free education
declaring that If he were the law making
power that he would not only make the
schools absolutely free to every child but
would make it compulsory upon them to
attend the sessions.
Such a system he said would solve many
social questions, which are now disturbing
the people of the state.
He briefly referred to his personal exper-
fence on the bench, stating that he could
not remember more than twelve educated
men whom he had been called upon to SEN
tence to the.penitentiary while the vast ma
iority of criminals were people who had
absolutely no education. He excused him
self for entering upon the subject of public
education, and expressed the hope that
each member of the association would visit
the mines furnaces and industries in the
themselves the great enterprise of the peo-
pie of this section.
Mrs. Tarrant Responded
Mrs. S. F. H. Tarrant, of the executive
committee responded on behalf of the as
ISOLATION. She said in part:
ut is meet and proper that the gentle
men should open the doors and welcome US
to your city, and the sincere expressions of
DR.. Phillips and Judge Banks have not dis
appointed us. On behalf of every member
of the association l accept your cordial
welcome. We have come from all sections
of the state-from Mobile Montgomery,
Tuscaloosa. Huntsville, AnniSton-and from
the rural districts, to meet together in q
common purpose. and we shall feel at
home in your city.
ut was said by the Italian. See Naples
and die but we shall say See Birming-
ham and live
1--WE are mindful that Birmingham is
great and progressive city and we will
refuse to accept the saying, Bad Birming
ham, for it is no more. The grand work
which is being carried on by DR.. Phillips
and his excellent corps of teachers has
wrought great wonders and its influence
cannot but be appreciated and felt.
1--WE are here for work. but all work and
no play Is not good. The excursions and
entertainments which have been announced
but which are not down on the programme
will be enjoyed and appreciated.
We shall make all that we can out of the
convention by imbibing the ideas that are
given us and make ourselves broader and
better thereby.
1--WE are glad to be with you, and thank
you again"
Talk ON Public Schools
DR.. w. II. Payne. chancellor of the Uni
versity of Nashville, who is in attendance
upon the meeting by special invitation,