The age-herald., 1900-05-01


 Alabama women the past year. In giving these reports I cannot say too much In praise of Woman's Work, the official or gan of the federatio That it has been the strongest medium to advance the fed eration is now acknowledged by many who were at one time opposed to the federation assuming the responsibility of conducting an official organ It's editorial policy and the business management and indeed the brilliant manner in which all its depart ments have been conducted are recog- nized far beyond the limits of the state. That women inexperienced in conducting a literary journal should in so short time win recognition from the outside world is a matter that should be particu- larly gratifying to the progressive women in the state. The present administration assuming a year ago the grave responsl- bilities of conducting an official organ has every reason to look back upon the record of a year that closes brilliantly. If the federation continues to publish an official organ no better policy could be followed in the future than that pursued by the present executive force of Woman's Work.
 Education
 Of the reports or the various committees to be made at the federation the report showing the work of the educational com mittee will be a matter of great public interest, since it's work has been to assist in the cause of public education. Mrs. D. B. Morrissette of Montgomery, the chair man, and one of the most thoughtful and progressive women in the club life of to- day, will make the official report through Mrs. w. F. Johnston of Anniston, one of the most prominent and earnest women identified with educational work.
 At my request Mrs. Morrissette has, however, written of the plan of work adopted by her committee, showing how strong an influence is being brought to bear upon the need of increased appro- priations for schools and other salutory changes.
 Mrs. Morrissettes interesting communi- cation follows:
 To assist in the cause of public educa- tion Mrs George B. Eager, the president of Alabama Federation of Woman's clubs, in 1S97-9S appointed a committee on educa- tion whose first report described the con- ditions that made necessary activity on the part of the women of the state in the interest of schools, and offered resolutions (adopted in convention) to cooperate with the Alabama Educational association.
 The report for 1S9S-99 showed increased appropriation for schools made by the legislature, laws passed raising the stand ards of teachers, and separating school money; and it proved by quotations from the state superintendent that the Alabama federation had been useful allies in bring ing about these salutary changes. Reso- lutions were passed pledging the federa- tion to be committee of the whole to assist Mrs. R. D. Johnston in carrying out her ideas of the Boys Reformatory to sustain the Girls Industrial school to in- vestigate Kindergarten methods and create sentiment favorable to Free Kinder gartens, and to seek to secure a constitu- tional amendment requiring educational qualification for the office of county super intendent of schools
 Knowing public opinion precedes legisla- tion and social and moral reform, and that lawyers lead the one and prominent persons the other, much quiet inference has been brought to bear upon the most patriotic members of the bar to bring them to see the defects of Alabama laws re- garding school supervisors and begging their close inspection of the digest of public school laws where is proven that every state where education is progressive has an educational qualification for county or district as well as state superintendent, and many states emphasize personal char acter and an effort to enlist the sympathy of the best people had been made.
 It has, too, been strenuously attempted by personal and urgent letter of the chair man to every club who furnished a mem Der to the educational committee that the clubs study and discuss this digest, which could be procured by application to the commissioners of education at Washing ton. A request to the president of the Bar Association of Alabama that the mat ter be brought before that honorable body was cordially met by the late Colonel Roquemore. who eloquently and emphati- caly insisted on its reasonableness and justice and on it's necessity in his able an- nual address at Montgomery.
 The various reports and recommenda- tions of different state federations, educa- tion committees, as well as some of the best books on the subject of education, have been recommended for study to the clubs, so that in the year our legislature again meets, we will be so thoroughly in
 
 measures we will ask or the lawmakers of the land Visiting the schools in the neighborhood of each club and as frequent conference as possible with teachers has been requested. for few things are so pregnant with benefit to children as inti- mate relations between their parents and their teachers Each club has been asked to do something practical for the public school of its vicinity if it was only to give book to the supplementary library of a grade or a. picture to a school room, since nothing so strengthens feeling as to make it take shape in action.
 Very persistent endeavor was made to introduce several forms of literature on the subject of domestic science for girls, a training that will, when secured, make every home center of happiness and culture. And a few of the incomparable magazines called "The Dread" of Worces- ter, Mass, have been placed in the clubs and in the travelling libraries.
 Many members of the legislature, includ. | ing the honorable president of the senate, | Dr. Cunningham, warmly supported the | educational qualification for eligibility to | the office of county superintendent of I