The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-17

more of these of greater Importance to
the public welfare than some literary stu
dies: and verify they might in particular
cases be correct in their opinion; but it
is easy to see that if this discretion is
unlimited great mistakes might be
made.
Important as are Industrial schools and
the college and university courses, it
will be admitted by all Intelligent men
that the most important part OF education
lies in the primary grades, by which 1
mean everything below the secondary or
high school. Hence, whatever else has
to be omitted, the State should make
sure ofSSample provision for these, -elc-
mentaryE schools for both races equally.
The chief strength of the argument for
public free education lies right here.
Therefore it would be unfortunate if lib
erty is allowed to any school officers or
even to the Legislature to weaken this
most essential part of our school system
And, in regard to industrial or other
special schools, whilst I wish the tinan-
cial ability of the State would allow OF
their creation everywhere, yet this is
manifestly impossible. and hence it would
be safest to lodge appellant power or rat
flying authority. say in the State Board
of Education, whereby some check might
be placed on hasty or over-Zealous ac-
ton on the part OF local boards and also
on endorsement given in all proper cases.
1t is we'll known that I am and always
have been, in favor of educating the ne
gro race for public reasons, but it does
not follow in respect to grades above the
primary Gncluding in primary what, I
am sorry, is called '.Grammar'O that L
should in all cases consider the methods
or lines OF education equally suited to both
races There are many forms of
wise cclecticism Circumstances, for
example, might call for regular high
school for whites where there would be
no educa tional need for a high school for
blacks whilst there might be a demand
for some sort of industrial or composite
school that would benefit them and ben
eft the public more than the higher lite
rary studies: but such changes in our
school system should be allowed only I'M
der very carefully -considered regulations.
think it a bad feature for lncun-
bent school boards to go out i'll body
and be superseded by an entire new
board "a Changes should be gradual
in both men and measures. The cues
ton of State uniformity of text books
will not, I think, trouble so enhshte:s,l
a body -as our present convention. me
absurd action in some States in adopting
State uniformity mas come from the com
mercial spirit, which has been allowed
to enter into the consideration OF the
subject, 1t is the same spirit that IN
other interests is ulanifesting Itself III
great syndicates or trusts. WONDER
we have not had propositions from cor
pora tons sto DO all our school teaching
for us by contract, We want economy,
but above that VIC want versatility,
thought, strength, independence. We
want system and uniformity Just so lar
us they promote the ends of true educa-
ton, but 10 farther. The development
of practical education is not toward me-
chanical. uniformity, but toward endless
diversity. Excess either way is not to
be desired.
But need not argue this question on
which I expressed myself so fully In my
report OF 1872 and have seen no reason to
change Before another Constitutional
Convention is called in Virginia there
will be changes in the forms and methods
of education which will demand CORE
spending changes in books and in the
methods of using books in different
classes of schools. Books Will become
specialized as well as schools. Let us not
ossfy the minds of our educators SO
that.they<will be dead>to all these things
Keep them observing, thinking, improV-
ing, producing, and thus only VIII we
have a thoughtful, productive people
As to how many. and who shall con-
stitute the Board' of Education. we meet
with some diverse considera tons Ihe
responsibilities Of this Board are very
varied and Very heavy-far; more SO than
attach to any other educational board.
Its purview includes, directly or Indirect
RI al of oIlr- system