The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-14

and effective local self-government may
be laid in popular intelligence aud moral
ity.
The provisions of law for the civil
government of Porto Rico indicate that
1t is the intention of tho Congress of the
United states 10 increase the response
bilities of the Bureau of Edr-
cation. We earnestly urge upon the
Congress the wisdom and advisa bility of
reorganizing the bureau of education upon
broader lines; OF erecting it into an indie
pendent department on plane with the
department of labor; of providing a proper
compensation for the commissioner of ed
ucatlon. and of so constituting the depart
ment of education that, while Its inValu-
able function of collating and dffusing in
formation be In no wise impaired, IL may
be equipped to exercise effective oversight
of the educational systems of Alaska and
of the several islands now dependent upon
us, we'll as to make some provision for
the education of the children of the tens
of thousands of white people domiciled in
the Indian Territory, but who are without
any educational opportunities whatever.
Such reorganizati ton of the bureau of
education and such extension of its func-
tons we believe to be demanded by the
highest interests OF the people of the
United States, and we respectfully, but
vision for such reorganizat ton and extern
sion at their next session The action so
strongly recommended will In no respect
contravene the principle that II is one of
the recognized functions of the national
government 10 encourage and to aid but
not to control, the educational instrument
talities of the country,
I'VE note with satisfaction the rapid
extension of provision for adequate sec
dur NJ aH a
for technical, industrial and commercial
training. National prosperity and our
economic welfare in the years to come
will depend in no small measure upon the
trained skill of our people, well as
upon their inventiveness, their persist
ence and their general information.
Every safeguard thrown about the pro-
fession of teaching, and every provision
for its proper compensation, has our cor
dial approval. Proper standards-both
general and professionalism entrance
upon the work Of instruction, security of
tenure, decent salaries, and a systematic
pension system are indispensable II the
schools are to attract and to hold the SER
vice Of che best men and women of the
United States; and the nation can afford
to place its children in the care of none
bust the best
1--WE welcome tho tendency on the part
of colleges and scientific schools to CO.
operate in formulating and in administer
ing the requirements for admission 10
their several courses of instruction. and
we rejoice that his association has con-
sistently thrown its influence in favor of
| this policy. and has indicated how, in our
| Judgment, il may best be entered upon.
| We see In this movement a most import
ant step toward tightening the burdens
which now rest upon SO many secondary
schools and are confident that only good
results win follow its success.
1.-The efficiency of n school system is 10
be judged by the character and the intel
lectual power of its pupils, and not Ey
their ability to meet series of technical
tests. The place or the formal examina-
ton in education is distinctly subordinate
TO that of teaching, and its use as the
sole test of teaching is unjustifable.
I'VE renew our pledge to carry on the
work of education entrusted 10 us In a
spirit which shall be not only non-secta-
rian and non-political. but which shall ac-
cord with the highest ideals of our ma
tional life and, character. With the con-
tinued and effective support of public
opinion and of the press for the work
of the schools, higher and lower alike. we
shall enter upon the new century with the
high hope born of successful experience,
and OF perfect confidence in American pol
icies and Institutions"
The resolutions were signed by Nicholas
Murray Butler, New York, chair
man; Edwin A. Alderman, LouisIa ma /;
Charles ID. McIver North Carolina; w. y.
Powell, District of Columbia: Alfred Bay
less, Illinois; J. A. Foshay, California;
James II. Van Sickle Maryland; William
b. Harper, Illinois; Charles F. Thwing
Ohio composing the Committee on Reso-
lutions.
The report was adopted.
Before the department of business edu-
ca ton, Or. II. NJ. Rowe OF Baltimore,
read a paper on the advantages and DIM
culties experienced in introducing COM
mercial branches into the higher grades
OF the public schools.
Several other departments, which did
not conclude their work yesterday held
brief sessions during the afternoon.
The Executive Committee, which has
under consideration the matter of the
next meeting place, will visit Cincinnati
and Detroit early In October.