The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-30
EDUCATORS OF ALABAMA
MEET WITH DIR. BUTTRySA

IS cents per capita In 1915 to $l.b per
capita in 1902. Alabama. he said. now
gives sL0o0.00o yearly to the common
school of the State.
He closed by welcoming DIR. Butsrtck TO
Alabama and assuring him of the hearty
cooperation of Alabama educators.
Permanent organization was then af-
fected by the election OF Mr.. Abercrombie
as chairman and Prof. c. w. Daugette
of the Normal School at Jacksonville as
secretary.
Rev. Edgar Gardner Murphy, Executive
Secretary of the Southern Education
Board. briefly explained the object of the
meeting He said 1t was two-fold. First.
to get the teachers of Alabama together
tfat they might know each other better;
and, second, that the Representatives OF.
the Education Board might seek their
advice as to methods Of procedure.
Prof. Il. NJ Shackelford, President of
the Normal School at Troy. and Prof.
NJ c. Wilson. President Of the Normal
School at Florence. were called upon to
give their Impressions Of the recent con-
ference of the Southern Education Board
at Athens, Ga. They spoke earnestly OF
the Athens conference. the gist of their
remarks being that the conference show
ed the spirit of the work, and that 1t
aroused enthusiasm and inspiration which
augured well for education in the South.
Hon. J. B. Graham of Talladega. re-
Gently appointed field agent for Alabama
OF the Southern Education Board. was
introduced to the assembly and was re-
cetved with applause.
Mr.. Graham has been identified with
school work in Alabama fifteen years or
more as a teacher and county superin-
tendent. His new duties will not inter-
fere with his position as State Solicitor.
He discussed the object of the educational
work in Alabama, and said his heart was
in his new work. which was but re-
sumption of his old work. He took the
position. he said. that after the liberty
and life of a people came education.
Mr.. Graham spoke about fifteen min
utes and was roundly applauded.
When Mr.. Graham concluded his Ad-
dress. the educators present were invited
to enroll their names, and there was a
few minutes of informal conversation,
during which DIR. Buttrick was presented
to the teachers who were introduced to
each other.
When the assembly was again called to
order, there were brief addresses by Prof.
r. w. Palmer of the State University at
Tuscaloosa and DIR. John Massey. Presi-
dent Of the Alabama Conference Female
College, at Tuskegee. They dwelt upon
the Athens conference, and each of them
held that the greater need In Alabama
today is the upbuilding Of the public
schools; that the colleges and universities
Should be interested in this work, as 1t
would be great advantage to them
Addressed by DR.. Buttrick.
DIR. Wallace Buttrick was then present
cd to the meeting. and he was literally
applauded Or. Buttrick said Ii was
originally intended to have. an official
conference in Montgoulery ION this occa-
sion, but on account of unforeseen OBJ
stacles. It was postponed. which he re-
GREETED. He said, however, that person
ally he was really glad that the informal
meeting was held because n gave him
an opportunity co discuss informally with
the educators Of Alabama the work and
methods most needed for the educational
welfare of the state.
The men who were in this work. he said.
were not in it for fun. They were moved
by spirit CT brotherly help. They would
not undertake TO bring anything new into
the South. He said they proposed to
work through the machinery of the State
and the counties. They would not col
onize any teachers or transport any in
situations. They realized that education
must be conducted by native teachers who
are in complete sympathy with the SEN
timents and. traditions of the people. They
weer paying especial attention to the
South he said, because here Is found the
virgin life of America.
He told the educators candidly That tho
General Board now has $1,O00.0Oo with
which to start the educational campaign
throughout the country. He said that
when he was invited to the office OF Sec
rotary and executive officer of the Board
he accepted with the understanding That
no appropriations would be made within
six months He wished. he said. to make
thorough study of the conditions before
starting actively to work. The Board has
been organized but two months, and he
is employing the time before commencing
the distribution of funds in making a
careful study of the situation in the dir
ferent parts of the country.
A Statement of Policy.
DR.. Buttrick then read the following
comprehensive statement of the policy of
the General Education Board and discuss
ed each of the paragraphs in the most
lucid manner:
THE underlying principle of the Asso-
citation is the recognition of the fact that
the people of the Southern States are
earnestly engaged in the promotion of
public education, and that in this effort
they should receive generous aid; and to
this end. and in pursuance of the follow
ing named and kindred objects. the Asso-
citation will seek gifts, large and small,
at Is the purpose of the Board:
Il To promite education within the
United States of America; without dis
tinction of race, sex or creed.
so. To develop the public school sys-
tenn. especially in rural districts.
''3. To develop the principle of self-help
by urging increased local taxation. local
contributions, or by other means.
- To further the establishment OF
training schools for teachers. especially
| those designed to educate teachers of in
| dustrial and manual training.
IS. To cooperate with other organiza-
| tions interested in educational work, and
| to simplify and make effective the general
work of education, avoiding unnecessary
| duplication.
SO. To aid in the maintenance and i'm
provement of educational institutions al
ready established.
~. To collect full information and sta
| tistics in respect to educational matters
| in the districts covered by the opera ton
of the Board, which shall be kept at a
general office.
| IS. To furnish the public with informa-
! ton. suggestions and counsel and for this
house for educational statistics and data
to be colated by the Board.
| 80 To educate public opinion in all
matters pertaining to the general cause
of education by publication of reports
through the daily press and by other
\ means.
| 10. To promote by all suitable means
every form of valuable educational
| work"
| in discussing paragraph Q of the state
| ment Dr. Buttrick dwelt upon the inn