The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1899-12-23
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS
BY J. L. POWER
BY J. L. POWER.


las II this writer were not already
nply occupied, it has in some way
nan 10 his lot to read the proof-sheets
the proceedings of the State Teach
:, Association that met in Jackson in
mil last, and the several addresses
Fl papers read on that occasion. The
mphlet is being printed by the
80 Printer, and the Secretary of
ate. rs a member of the Board of
#iblio Contracts, has the privileged
onopoly OF reading all the proof
,eets of all the department reports,
SIS and journals, and all printing re-
tired by the state, and hence the
Iachers' doings come under his notice.
this might be considered white
ans burden were it not that the
tactical experience Of two-score years
5ng that line makes proof-reading as
81 thing as rolling off log.
There are so many bright things in
addresses and papers appearing in
4 is pamphlet that it is quite relief to
down the proofs of the Law Com
4 ssioners report, which deals with
ings earthly with its sections, town
i ips and ranges-and read discussions
. lat relate to mind and soul, and Gull
he, and intellectual and social pro-
.ess. Indeed, we found it a labor of
We to read the papers submitted at
G last meeting of the State Teachers
Ssociation. They are up to date,
|d richly worth the few dollars it
ay cost to print and thus preserve
|em,
THE opening address of President
c. Hardy, "Our Public School Sys-
|m, Its Past and Future, was splen-
i introduction to the three days pro-
Fam. We have only space now to
by two paragraphs that pay tribute
two of Mississippi's most efficient
ld most popular educators, in the ad-
-ess Of Prof. Hardy, himself Il star of
) small magnitude:
" During all these years the public
hools were at a very low ebb and the
lblic Schools were very unpopular.
ven within my memory men have
ade the race for the Legislature and
,en elected upon platform opposed
the public schools. 1t is to Mr..
'eston that the credit is due Of giving
Mississippi public school system in
'epirg with the dignity of a great
axe and a free people, 1t was under
5 administration that the people saw
+ the trst time what a school system
can't Tor a State. 1t is due to him
at our school law is equal to that of
y State in the Union. 1t was under
5 able administration that the sepa-
tie school districts were organized,
lich has given birth to our splendid |
stem Of graded schools in almost |
cry town in the State. 1t is due to |
III more than to any other man that |
have class of professional teach |
5 in the State fully abreast of the
aes. 1t was his uniform State exam
atoms that put the teachers to study
: and gave them scholarships, with |
which no true progress can be
de. lie gave ten years of hard work
the educational system OF Mississippi,
d raised our standard equal to the
~ highest. The life of j. h. Preston
lnot be lost from our State, for it
S gone into every home and fireside
Mississippi. He must die, and his
me may be forgotten, but the work
did for the schools of our State will
e and continue to live until the
rs grow old and the sun grows cold,
the secrets of the Judgment book
fold"
'lr. Preston was succeeded by Mr.. A.
kincannon in 1896, who sept the
ndard fully up to the mark by secur-
Z the adoption of some valuable adj
ions to the school law. He was
owed more money for the employ
MT OF help in the clerical department
his office. Too much praise cannot
accorded Mr.. Kincannon for his
endid service during the last Legis-
1re, in having appropropri1tions for
support of the common schools
ed to $3.50, 900 Great fear was felt
ong the teachers and friends of edu-
ion everywhere that an effort would
made to cut down the appropriation,
the increased appropriation was
irely due to Mr.. Kincannons zeal
enthusiasm.
he biennial report of the trustees
superintendent of the Institution ]
the Blind shows an attendance of |
pupils and ID more expected this (
ek. This is q surprisingly small at i
dance, considering the number of I
I'd children in the State who should {
receiving its benefits. This small
enhance makes the expense for each
'il S9O6.54. The asylum is under
t-elass management, but a special I
'rt should be made to increase the
nber of benefciaries.
he only surviving members of the
yisional Confederate Congress are
J. l.. NJ. Curry, now residing in
shington City, and Judge j. A. p. S
lpbell, of jackson, Miss.
ress kilograms announce the death
Charles Potter, Jr., press inventor J
builder, at his home in Plainfield, t
v Jersey, which event is noted here,
ause when this writer was a