The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-10
THE BIENNIAL
SCHOOL REPORT { / |
Interesting and Instructive Document.
ofsSuperintendeat SouthalI.
THE. EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO E:.:;
The Addition of Manual Instruction
Urged Consolidhtion Of Rural s
Schools = Higher Institutions.
Other Subjects Treated

dent OF Public Instruction., DR.. ]. w
Southall, Of Amelia county. was released
for publication yesterday. It is an e&-s
tremely interesting document, in which
conscientious investigation of conditions
as affecting the school system Of the
State IS apparent, and conclusions based
on the research Of those who prepared
me report are stated clearly and strong
~.
The trea tment of the question of the
education of the negro population IS es-5
1eclally broad and comprehensive. The
advocacy OF manual training for. both
races. but more especially the negro, is
supported by quotations from eminent
educators North and South. At the risk
of criticism on the ground of advocating
paternalism. the report endorses the idea
of transportation Of pupils to schools in
sparsely settled rural districts. Through
out, the report is of absorbing interest
TO all who are interested in the develop
mcnt and parfecting Of the great public
school system. which in Virginia has at
tanned to a high degree of efficiency.
At the beginning attention is called to
the falling off in attendance OF pupils last
Year as compared with tho year before.
which is attributed to the prevalence of
smallpox and measles, and to the unusual
severity Of the winter of 1S9S-'99. Never
theless, continues the report. and leav-
ing out of account the large amount OF
money invested i'll permanent improve
ments. the cost of the schools last year
was in excess of the cost of the previous
year by &'.4S1.59. The increase is at
trlbuted to the tendency to multiply the
number of small country schools. which
is characterized as the most serious prob
lem presenting itself for solution at this
time. So serious has the situation; be-
come. indeed. that the State is confronted
with the alternatives of reducing the num-
Der of rural schools. or of having shorter
sessions and paying smaller salaries to
teachers.
HEAVY COST OF DUAL SYSTEM:
Discussing the problem, the Superinten-
dent points out that it is one which con-
fronts many Of the wealthiest and most
densely populated Commonwealth of the
Union. and calls attention to the greater
Difficulty In surEloGntinE 1t in Virginia.
owing TO the maintenance of Qua! sys-
tenn OF white and coiored schools. to the
support OF which the latter race con-
tributes but small part
The Superintendent presents as remedy
the consolidation of the smaller schools
and the transportation at local or public
expense to ard from schools of those
children who live too far to walk This
movement. beginning in A1assa chusetts a
quarter of century ago, has spread to
many othe" States with the most graft
Tying results. The Superintendent admits
that the reform cannot be accomplished
at once, but must come gradually if at
all. The report says:
1T is not commended that the adoption
OF the policy Of consolidating the small
rural schools can be effected in every
community, or that, if effected, lit would
cure all the evils of the system The fact
IS, that whatever may be done in the way
OF consolidating the country schools, a
large proportion of the children of the
State. for obvious reasons, will have TO
be taught in little ungraded rural schools,
or they will not be taught at all But if
the tendency to multiply small schools
can be arrested and a sentiment created
in favor Of the establishment OF good
graded schools. with longer terms and
better teachers, in every neighborhood,
the way will be paved to the accomplish
ment of great educational reform in
Virginia. Longer school terms, better
teachers. better grading, better teaching,
better supervision. better schoolhouses.
greater physical comforts for the pupils.
and increased Interest in the schools on
the part OF both pupils and patrons, are
some of the claims that are justly made
lor me new departure that is here adj
vocated.'' .5,5s
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS
discussing the subject of transporta-
tion OF pupils, the report says the chief
objection TO such q proposition is that
II snatks somewhat of paternalism and
socialism. and ADDS: 1T cannot be de-
Hied mat all sarh legislation has a. ten
dency ii thar direction, hui this objection
applies with equal force 20 almost every
feature IF the public school systems st
In multiplying country schools We have
been acting he f)>..t jc
the duty of tie Stale to carry the school
house to the children. The question we
are now called on 10 consider is, whether
it IS not cheaper and better to carry tie
children to the scllool-house''
Multiplication oe the number Of higher
institutions OF learning is 7epiored, on
the ground that the dispersion OF ener-.
sias. resources and patronage among SO
many. COLLEGES and universities prevents
Virginia from gaining that prinacy in
educational matters in the nation to
which she might otherwise attain. The
provision of the Pennsylvania law is
quoted in this connection, and that is
to the effect that no institution shall be
chartered with power to confer degrees
unless it has assets amounting to s500.O00
and unless the faculty consists of at
least six regular professors who devote
all their time to instruction Of its col
lesc or university classes, in which
students must complete a four-years'
course before having conferred upon him
any baccalaureate degree. ~,
BLESSING TO COLLEGES.
The report thens5 con inues:s.5sz ~ :
:'Such a restriction as differentiated
in the foregoing law might DO too drastic
for Virginia: but it is generally conceded
by all the friends of solnd learning that
something. should be. done towards. limit
ing the authority to confer. scholastic
degrees. Such a restriction would prove
a blessing to the colleges and universities
already in existence by stimulating their
friends to Increase their endowments TO
the point of bringing them up to the
standard OF the best institutions in the
country. and by protecting the public
against the ;nlposture of educational
mountebanks, who. having secured char
tiers for the establishing of so-called' col
Ieges, scacpper off to the North on beg
sing expeditions for institutions that ex-
list only on payer. e
The subjectFof manual 5troining is in
troduced with Herbert. Spencer's declara-
ton that the chief function Of education
! is#to prepare nlan for comD.e1 ne living,
| which. the report continues. Is coming 70
be generally accepted o 5ti,es proper de-
t:,,;iIcn o. D,,blicss school education ! n