The age-herald., 1901-01-22
WoMAeNN eNcinrv
An Alabama Club Woman
 Discusses Educational Measures

The strong and able articles on educa-
 tional measures that have been contributed
 to these columns from time to time by
 many of Alabama's most active and pron1i-
 nent club women, have not only been very
 widely read and commented upon most fa-
 vorably, but they have imphasized the posi-
 ton assumed by Alabama women in regard
 to educational reforms that will be effected
 by legislation. The work and purpose of
 the educational committee of the Alabama federation has been in each successive ar- ticle more clearly defined, and left no one in ignorance of the measures which the thinking and progressive women of the State are strongly advocating; and in the following article from the pen of one of the most prominent members of the educa- tiona1 committee certain reforms are agaln urged:
 In time when patriotism is preparing by constitutional convention to advance Alabama to the front rank among her Sis ter states, peculiar interest attaches to her past history as newly written by the distinguished William G. Brown, one Of band of brothers who have ably served the commonwealth in war and peace. The chapter on the last gubernatorial administration deals in part with educa- tional interests On page 324 we find these worlds Tt seems clear that better and better work is being done, both In the common schools and in the higher instltu- tions of the State; and there are other cheering signs of intellectual activity
 among the people. The women's clubs In particular have been very active" eve
 know little of what he thinks on subjects outside his excellent history for now and then he has sent a helpful reply to some enquir1ng club woman.)
 Can afford to disappoint the expecta- tions that will be aroused by any observant reader of that paper? Does it not stir the pulse and awake to strenuous endeavor any participant in a battle for the right,
 to receive Honorable mention" of his or
 her first brave onset? Noble souls have no
 ''vanity to be fattered," but they do strive
 nightly to be worthy the commendation Of
 the wise.
 Our State and county Democratic com
 mittees are getting down to preliminary
 work for the convention. Can we not unite
 in asking that they appoint committees on
 public education who shall present at the
 proper time a resume of educational con-
 ditions and of the new school legislation re-
 quired? Shall we not, by this committee
 or through some additional agency, pre-
 sent the subject on which we have the
 sanctionand support of the best and wisest
 men of our State the necessity of law
 requiring educational qualification for
 the office of county superintendent?
 Let us concentrate the activity com
 mended by Professor Brown. As a body
 we have made our first appearance in his-
 tory. Can 1t not go down in the annals of
 Alabama-yet to be made, yet to be Writ
 ten-that the Alabama Federation of Wom-
 ems Clubs secured, through the support Of
 the men among whom their struggle was
 made, a law that put in every county of
 our beloved State qualified school super intendent?
 Even stately old Virginia lends her ear to the new-fashioned preacher-editor. Staid Winchester, on February 5, is to turn over the Evening Star to the shaping hands of the ministers of the city, who will prepare the entire reportorfal. editorial and me chanical departments.
 None of these special editions have es- capped adverse criticism, though 1t is hoped that their recurrence indicates a widespread desire on the part of the people for con- secration of the service of the countrys best interests on the part of editors. This desire, with the efforts to meet its de- mands, may be an important factor in the evolution of the newspaper of the twentieth century.
 MT Harmsworths idea of a great news- paper syndicate which shall publish simul- taneously in various cities in spite of Its impracticabilities, develops suggestions as to what might be done in great cities by unanimity of effort.
 Suppose Alabama editors for one day
 give one or more or all their pages to corps of teacher editors, with our honor able State superintendent as chief and pr. J. H. Phillips and other distinguished edu- cators for assistants, and turn out simu1- taneously in every town an edition that will be a campaign paper for those inter- ested in the school legislation to be enacted | by the constitutional convention. Shall we ask it?