The age-herald., 1900-07-11
EDUCATORS HAVE
 BEGUN THEIR WORK
GharIeston Gives the Delegates a
 CC;' 4! Welcome,
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT
National Council of Educators Elected Dr. J. H. Philips of Birmingham Secretary Discussion of
 National University

Charleston S. C., July 10-The old Pal metto State, and Charleston, hospitable and historic, today gave official welcome to the National Educational Association at the opening session of it's annual conven- tion About two thousand delegates were present in the Thomas Auditorium when Chairman Wech, of the local executive committee, called the convention to order shortly before o'clock. The first session, out side of the appointment of a commit tee on resolutions, was purely one of well come.
 Governor A. B. McSweeny greeted the delegates for the State.
 After extending a formal welcome to the school teachers. whom he said were ab, pad in the State the Governor said:
 The soldier is abroad even in this day of civilization and enlightenment. There are those who claim that it is our duty to carry civilization and Christianity to the heather even though we have to open the way with leaden bullets. 1t seems that we are about on the verge of another war. It may be the hand of providence to carry our civilization to the uttermost parts of the earth. We have with us, however, an- other parsonage more important in main
  the schoolmaster."
 Hon. J. A. Sythe, Charleston's Mayor, gave the delegates a word of welcome for the city, and after number of speeches by prominent educators from various parts of the country, President o. T. Corson de- livered his annual address.
 A brief session was held tonight, at which paper on the small college and its work in the past was read by President w O. Thompson, Ohio State University, Columbus, O.
 Prospects of Small Colleges
 President w. 0. Harper read a brief pa- per on the prospects of the small college. Prof Harper thought the growth and life of the smaller colleges were guaranteed by many factors, chief among which were the conservatism of the educational tradi- tion, the common belief in the greater ad- vantages gained. The interest of means in the work of colleges was great aid to their maintenance, while the religious back ground was always found. Prof. Harper said some colleges should be strengthened while others would better serve the peo- ple if reduced to academies or junior col leges Sharper distinctions in the whole field of education and development or system of the higher classes of the work
 The National Council of Education today selected the following officers;
 President-C. M Jordan of Minneapolis.
 Vice e-President-Miss Bettie A. Dutton, Cleveland, O.
 Secretary H. Phillips, Birmingham, Ala. Chairman Keys reported the following nominations for members of the executive committee, and they were elected:
 Prof. James Swain of Indiana.
 Prof. Nicholas Murray Butler of New York.
 The establishment of national university at Washington was the chief topic of dis cusson at the meeting. The discussion was xx,it fha ort of Harper, of the University of Chicgo, the chairman of the committee of the council on the subject.
 The idea seemed to prevail that President Harper's report was really the report of the committee, but he was particularly em- phatc in his statement that his remarks were strictly by personal observations. He said that the committee was not yet ready to report.
 It is Unnecessary
 President Harper put himself on record as believing that the proposed national uni versity was inexpedent and unnecessary. The majority of the committee, he said, favored a school of research which should be centered about and ultimately associated with the Smithsonian Institute. The graduates of certain universities should be permitted to enjoin the courses of these universities and should lend help ing hand in the management and support Of the school. school for the study Of in- ternational questions of diplomacy and sim- liar matters were also favored.
 Prof. I. M. Butler followed President Har- per. He was impressed with the opportuni- ties for study and research at Washington and he was not in favor of turning his back on those opportunities. He said they should be grasped and taken advantage of. In view of the old established character and reputation of the Smithsonian Institute he favored building about the old institution ather than new ground.
 President James B. Baker of the Uni versity of Chicago, thought the present dis cussion unfavorable He criticised the com- mittee for not having requesed the views of the presidents of the state colleges and uni versailles generally.
 He seemed to think that there was a dis