The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-11

lesion Upon Important Questions.
Papers Read by Some of the Lead
ing Delegates-NatIonaI University
at Washington Was Discussed.
Detroit and Cincinnati Are Try
ing for the Next Convention.
Charleston, S. c., July 10-The old Pal
metto state and Charleston, hospitable and
historic, to-day gave official welcome to
the National Educationa Association at
the opening session OF lis annual conven-
tion. About 1000 delegates were present in
the Thomson Auditorium when Chairman
Welch OF the local Executive Committee
called the convention to order shortly be-
fore o'clock.
The first session. outside OF the appoint
ment of committee on resolutions, was
purely one of welcome. Gov. NJ. B. Nc
Sweeney greeted the delegates for the
state. After extending a formal welcome
to the school teachers, who, he said, were
abroad in the state" the Cove rnor ysaidH
The soldier is abroad even in this day
OF civilization and enlightenment There
are those who claim that II is our duty
to carry civilization and Christianity to
the heather. even though we have to open
the way with ltaden bullets II seems that
we are about on the verge of another
war. 1t may be rhe hand Of Providence to
carry our civilization TO the uttermcst
parts Of the earth. We have with us, how
ever. another parsonage more important
in maintaining our civilization than the
so dier-the school master"
Hon. J. Adger Smythe, Charleston's May
or, gave the delegates a word of welcome
for the city, and after number of re-
sponses by prominent educators from va
rious parts of the country. President 0.
7. Corson delivered his annual address.
Brief Night Session.
brief session was held tonight al
which paper on the small college. and hs
work in the past, was read by President
w. o. Thompson of Ohio State University
Columbus, o.
President William r. Harper read a
brief paper on the prospects of the small
college. Prof. Harper thought the growth
and life Of the smaller colleges we're guar
anteed by many factors, chief among
which We're the conserva tism of the eda-
the greater advantages gained The in
terest OF men Of means in the work of
colleges was a great aid to their mainte-
nance. while the religious background was
always firm. Prof. Harper said some
colleges should he strengthened. while
others would better serve the people IL re-
duced to academies or Junior colleges.
National Councils Meeting.
The National Council of Education to-
day elected the following officers:
President, c. NJ. Jordan of Minnea polls;
vice president, Miss Betue A. Dutton
Cleveland, o.; Secretary j. II. Philips
Birmingham. Ala.
Chairman keyes reported the following
nominations for members of the Execu-
tive Committee and they were elected:
President, Joseph Swain of the Unver-
sity of Indiana and Prof. Nicholas Murray
Butler Of New York.
A National University.
The establishment OF a national univer-
sity at Washington was the chief topic
discussed at the meeting of the council.
The discussion was opened with the report
of President w. r. Harper OF the Univer-
sity of Chicago the chairman of the COM
mittee of the council on the subject The
idea seemed 10 prevail that President Har-
per's report was really the report of the
committee, but he was particularly en-
phatic in his statement that his remarks
were strictly his personal observations and
conclusions. He said that the committee
was not yet ready to report
President Harper put himself on record
as believing that the proposed National
University was neXpedient and unneces-
sary. The majority of the committee, he
said, favored a school of research, which
should be centered about and ultimately
associated with the Smithsonian Insttu-
.lt,ot
ties should be permitted to enjoy the
courses and should lend a helping hand
In the management and support of this
school. A school for the study of inter-
national questions, diplomacy and similar
matter analogous TO West Point was also
favored.
Prof. N. M. Butler followed President
Harper. nesativing the idea of statu-
tory Greek and foreign university at
He was impressed with the
and opportunities for study
and research at Washington, and he was
not in favor of turning his back on those
He said these should be
grasped and taken advantage of. In view
Of the old established character and rep
ltation of the Smithsonian Institution, ne
favored building about the old insdtu-
ton rather than on new ground.
President James b. Baker of the Uni
versity Of Colorado thought the present
discussion unfortunate. He criticised the
for not having requested the
views Of the presidents of the
state colleges and universities. He
seemed to think that there was dis
position TO ignore certain educational in
.erests 10 the advantage of other interests
He wanted the government to conduct the
proposed university and steps should be
taken to insure its proper conduct free OF
cliques or politicians
The discussion was participated in by
many educators, among them President
Swain OF the University of Indiana, Prof.
z. Il. White of Cincinnati and Superin-
endent OF Schools Gilbert of Newark ~
].
The report of President Harper was re-
selved by the council, but the committee
was continued. The council deferred for
The present any expression of opinion en-
the matter.
Indian Department.
The department OF Indian education held
TWO sessions to-day. The feature OF the
programme was an address by Dr. H. b.
Frissell principal Of Hampton Industrial
school, Virginia. An address was also
made by Prof. o. II. Bakeless of Carlisle,
Pa, on The Rapid Improvement of In
lian Children Along Literary Lines"
Levi Leverihg, a full-blooded Omaha In
Han read a paper on The Practical
Of Indians" prepared by Super
seger Of Colony Okla
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