The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-06
A Card From Dr.. Kline.

Editor Of The Times:
Sir,-In my article to The Times, pub
lished the 18th of February, under the
caption Of Educational Needs of Vlr-
ginia . I said; Il can easily count on
the fingers of one hand all the educators
5oe this State wilosc opinion on cduca-
tiuul questions hefore a competent trliJu-
nal would be accepted as authority ana
as rejecting original, independent think
ing am informed by thoughtful ana
good men that the statement has pro-
loked seine adverse criticisms that l
was mistaken in my estimate OF tie ttunl-
her of Virginias educators. Let us nope
that L am mistaken, and that men OF the
type I had in mind will ere long come
forward striking sledge-hammer blows for
the cause OF education. Meanwhile per-
nit me to explain the spirit iii which the
statement was made. I am convinced
that every one who is thinking to pur-
pose on our present educational status
is not disposed to waste time in clubbing
ever terms or to grow nice and over
diplomatic in speech. So assume, With
out further ado, that all agree as to the
composition of Il competent tribuf al.
G. e.. the well known committee OF III
teen. or the present toff:cers Of the South
ern Educational Association, or the Ma
4tjonal Council! Of the National Education
al Associations Tire sayings and donss
Of these bodies are authority on educa-
tjcnal. questions. Whose opinions ana etlI-
cational questions would these tribunals
be likely to accept as rejecting Original
Independent thinking? Whom would they
likely regard as capable OF giving eN-
pert evidence on an educational question!
Evident reasons forbid my citing the
names of virgina's educators who would
measure up to their standard. 10 give
ar, example of the type OF men / had IN
mind permit me to so beyond the State
and mention men like Presidents MclVer
of North Carolina; Branson, OF Georgia;
alderman, of Louisiana: DaDneN, OF
Tennessee ETC., etc. do not refer TO
the professor in the technical school,
the college and the university. One finds
that such men will give expert evidence
and speak with authority on their spe'
cial Subjects and that their modesty,
llish-scholarship and good se.tse will not
permit them to offer expert testimony on
subjects outside Of their profession. Our
State University is honored by such men,
They do original independent work in
their respective fields, and are conse-
quently prepared to speak authorltatlvely
unc,s their subjects, but [ doubt their
Willingness to venture opinions on edu-
cational questions outside Of their sphere
ce investigation, and particularly on those
problems pertaining to primary and sec
oIdary education.
Who are competent tc speak with
progressive insight, tempered by scien-
tific conservatism, on such problems as
the adaptation Of culture material to the
sequence of the stages Of development
in the child: the best methods for test-
ing menta! fatigue; the pedagogical sig
niticance of the relation between hfeill-
gence and the mobility Of the hand; the
significance Of nasceut periods in bodily
and mental growth for etallca ton; the
meaaing Of play and kindred instirct-teel-
ings for education; Should children under
nine bel taught reading, writing and
arithmetic? t is evident that these anu
hundreds of other primary and secondary
educational problems cal, lie protltablS
discussed and applied only lfy those who
have studied them in the light and under
the guidance of the several sciences bear
ing upon them. Opportunities for study
and investigation Of such subjects are
offered by the departments OF educaucf'
at higher institutions of learning. me
State Of Virginia offers no opportunities
for such work, and besides the youns
men of the State have not been interest
ed in such thIs,gs. Tn this connection
permit me to quote from DR.. McIver's
address before the Richmond Education
Association: "A public policy, which calls
the strong and cultured of society into
:
law, medicine, theology and commerce
and leaves the weaklings to prepare the
rising generation for its duties. is wrong,
Vi Catriotic5 and suicidal DR.. MclVer
meant that we should take this lesson &c
our hearts. We have MOI. only neglected
to provide fora scientific study of modern
educational problems. but we have fail
ed, with rare exceptions. to interest our
young men in these problems. They have
turned away from them and embraced
others more to thei,, likl b. Under these
conditions is it not Startling" that we
should have any educational leaders in
the sense in which 7 use the ol,rasa2
Some States may he able to get along
without such men. I maintain that they
are a need in. Virgil ia.
LINUS w. KLINE.
Farmville, Va, March 4, 1902.
GTHIDEEE