Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-07
HEAR SOME BIG GUNS
MEETING or COUNTY SCHOOL ST.
rnn1NrENpENrs NEXT MONTH.
WOODROW WILSON COMING.
Dean Russell. OF Columbia, and DR..
Huttricls Are Also to address. the
GntherinE-Con,orid Of Small
Schools and Free Transportation
TO BE Advocated.
WOODROW WILSON COMING.

The session Of county and city superin-
tendents OF public schools in Virginia, to
be held in this city January 18th, 18th.
and 10th. promises to be a gathering of
educational officers, whose conference here
viii have far-rcaching effect upon the
school system OF the State The ses-
siors will most likely be held in the
House of Delegates. ard vital questions
Affecting public school affairs in the State
will be Informally discussed. The object
OF the assembly is to get to the root Of
the public school situation, and instead
OF specially perpared papers on abstract
Questions concerning education, there will
BE- -heart-to-heart' talks by every super
tnfendent present, setting forth the con-
dition in each county.
Among the educators Of national reputa-
ton. however. who will be present to
address the gathering are mentioned
President Woodrow Wilson. of Princeton,
and Dean Russell, Of Columbia Iniver-
ssiv New York. DR.. Wallace Buttrick.
rhe executive agent of the General Edu-
cation Board. will be present. DR.. But
;rick is acting as a sort of clearinghouse
ersnt for this board TO ascertain the
needs in each county of the State SO that
v.satever aid the board may be able TO
give financially viii be directed in the
proper channels
FEWER SCHOOLS; FREE RIDES.
There are many important questions to
be discussed by this conference of SUI
perirtendents. First IN Importance. pos
silly, is the matter of local taxation
fo- schools provided for in the new Con-
stiiution Of Virginia. distinctly new
issue IS the consolidation of schools in
the various districts, and its coordinate
subject free transportation to schools
for the pupils
DR. ]. ". Southall. State Superintendent
Of Education. called attention in his re-
port this year 10 the number of public
schools existing n Virginia with an aver
eye attendance far below the required
legal attendance, and TO correct this. II
Is proposed to combine the weak schools
OF neighborhood into one of nerlna-
hence and strength. This plan is anpi.ca-
bic to all portions Of the State. To sue
csssfully accomplish 1t without compell-
ing the school children in the country
districts to walk too far to school it is
proposed 10 provide free transportation
from the homes to the schools. This plan
Is in successful operation in many OF
The Western States. and has been com
uended by practical school men.
STUDY or FARMING.
other topics to be brought before the
conference are the Improvement and
sdornment of school-houses: the introduc-
lion of manual training, and the study of
elementary agriculture in the country
schools.
Governor Montague and Attorney Gene
raj Anderson have both, in public ad-
dresses. called attention to the necessity
Of consolidating the schools that are be-
low the required attendance. and as they
are members of the State Board OF Edu-
cation. and VIII be influential factors
in rhe new board created under the Con
stitution. their opinions have gone iaf
To establish sentiment on the subject