Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-07
BE HERE TEXT SPRING
RICHMOND DETERMINED TO sE-
CURE EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE.
THE INITIAL MEETING HELD.
Enthusiastic Gathering of Ladies
and Gentlemen at the Residence
of ,1r.. D. b. va1cntinc-Fund. in
sight-More Money Nceded-The
Ogden Movement.

Richmond has entered the arena and has
begun fight which knows no defeat for
the next annual conference of the South
crn Education Board. which will be next
spring. a council was held in the par
lors of Mrs. B. B. Valentine. president of
the Richmond Educational Association,
yesterday afternoon. and the State. re-
presented by Governor Montague, the citi-
9zens represented by Mr.. Henry L. CabeIl,
president of the Chamber of Commerce,
and the educators, represented by Presi-
dent Boatwright and DR.. S. c. Mitchell,
joined hands with the Richmond Edu-
cational Association and organized to
bring every influence to bear to get the
conference here.
The meeting was held at the invitation
of Mrs. Valentine, as president of the To-
cal association and her call was en-
Enthusiastically responded to, those not be-
ing able to attend sending their regrets.
In that little assemblage were collected
many of Richmond's representative citi-
zens, men and women, who are in the
habit of succeeding in everything they I'M
dertake. Without dissenting voice, they
determined to work until the conference
is landed for Richmond
CALLED TO ORDER.
Mrs. Valentine took the chair, as presi-
dent, and called the meeting to order.
one explained lHdC sue QdQ CdlleO the
meeting, hoping that the association would
arouse the interest of the citizens and
gain their co-opera ton. They had been
invited by the local association, but it
would be necessary to secure the help Of
the citizens to induce them to come and
to entertain them after they arrived. She
then asked Governor Montague to adj
dress the meeting.
The Governor declared that he was in
favor of exerting every energy to get
the conference here. He explained the
advantages of such a meeting, and how
it would arouse interest in education
throughout the State, He spoke of Mr.
Robert G. Ogden. and his party and of
its distinguished personnel, and said that
TO bring these educators and philanthropy
lists here and let them see how we stand,
would place us in a position to make them
a proposition if we needed their help.
Such meeting, he said, would arouse
the interest of the Commonwealth in the
subject of education; besides it would en-
gender feeling of patriotism which would
draw the sections of the country closer
together.
DIR. MITCHELL NEXT.
Dr. Mitchell was next called on Hav-
ing attended the recent conference at
Athens. Ca, he gave an outline of the
work done there and the proceedings of
the meetings. The conference was made
up largely of Southern men and the meet
ings were patriotic. It was an aggrega ton
Of great minds banded togethed in the
interest of education. He said that in
dustrial education was emphasized by the
conference. Mr.. Mitchell then dwelt upon
the necessity of cooperation.
Mr.. W. S. Copeland, who had attended
the conference at Athens, spoke of what
a noble body it was, and of what Won
derful work it was doing. He made a
statement which will be of great interest
to all interested in education. Mr.. John
D. Rockefeller is the moving force behind
the movement His name has never be-
fore been mentioned, but it is we'll
known fact that he has contributed ST.
600, 900 or more to the cause. He said the
object of the board was to help the South
in a modest and unpretentious way, hay
ing no representatives save the authorized
school authorities. The objects Of the
meeting were to investigate. study and
aid. He characterized the Athens confer
ence as the noblest ard most inspiring
meeting he had ever attended, one at
which all sectional strife and differences
Of opinion were put aside for the general
discussion of popular education.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC TALK.
Mrs B. B. Munford made the most
talk .of the evening. Upon arising, she
pleaded embarra ssment, but it was soon
lost in her ardent enthusiasm in the sub
iect under discussion. and she talked TO
the point and well. She was also of the
party which went to Athens. She said
Richmond had a larger representation
than any one city at the conference, and
though they had left with no intention
of asking the board to hold it's next meet
ing here, they decided that they had a
greater right to it than any other city,
and had asked for it. She said enthusi-
asn1 was what was wanted. What was
needed was work and money, and that
was what they had come together for
She explained the difference between the
Southern and General Boards, which were
different organizations, though many
members belonged to both.
THE FUNDS IN HAND.
Mr.. Henry Lee Valentine, chairman of
the Finance Committee, made his report.
Though the committee had only been in
existence a few days, he showed sub
scription of $3.50. This amount was made
up by subscriptions of the citizens, sever
al of whom had subscribed 800. Mrs. Val
entine explained that the association
wanted $1,000 to defray the expenses OF
entertaining the conference, $3.50 more was
subscribed at the meeting.
Governor Montague stated for President
Stevens. of the c. s, O., who was present.
that he would give the conference trips
to Charlottesville and Williamsburg
Mr.. Henry L. Cabell placed the Cham
Der of Commerce at the disposal OF the
meeting.
Mrs. Valentine here read the letters Civ
en- below. which she had received from