The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-09
GOV, MONTAGUE
TO THE EDUCATORS.
Makes a Fine Address to Confer
ence Of School Superintendent
DISTINGUISH ED DIT0Rs
He Would Rather Be Instrumental in
Promoting the Cause Of Education
than ofAccomplishing Anything
Ese-School Of Methods.
fsnec,al Dispatch to Tn. 7,,osN


&c A. N. with an address by Governor a.
J. Montague, who reached Charlottesville
late last night.
The scene in the University Auditorium
when the Governor, State Superintendent
of Public Instruction and prominent Vir-
gina educators entered, was an inspir-
ing one. Pit, parquette and dress circle
had been filled for half an hour with
School of Methods teachers. The entrance
of the Chief Executive was the signal
for a hearty outburst of applause.
Among those who occupied seats on the
platform, just beneath the new picture
of the School of Athens were Dr. Paul
5. Parringer, chairman Of the University
faculty; II. St George Tucker of Lex
irgtcn. representative of the Southern
Education Board; Secretary Frank 2.
Brent, of the State Board of Education:
DR.. Robert Frazer. of the Southern Edu-
cation Board: E. c. Glass. of Lynchburg,
conductor of the Summer School of Meth
DDS; Professor Joseph l.. Jarman. CT the
State Female Normal School: Willis A.
jenkins, Of Portsmouth. secretary of the
School Of Methods: DR.. Charles W. Kent.
OF the University ofVfrginia and Superin-
.. L. Pullam, CT Manchester; R: A.
Eobe Of Norfolk city. and NJ. D. Hail.
Of Fairfax.
GOVERNOR MONTAGUE.
The Governor was introduced by DR..
Southall. After expressing his sympathy
and interest in all that concerned this
meeting Of superintendent and teachers
he said that he thought it was a very
fortunate move to gather at this spot.
for among the schools of America he re-
garded a diploma from the University of
Wig MIA as the golden fleece OF academic
honors on this continent. 1t is a. coed
thing to meet here, where one cannot fail
to catch new inspiration.
MI Montague said that there is no
question of greater moment and no task
Of srpremer Importance than the estab-
list ment of a good system of free schools.
and he took hope that this Commonwealth
is now catching the first taste Of an edu-
cational revival.
-'hc public free school system of Vir-
glnia needs little remedying i'll one or
two respects. The number of schools is
too large for the average attendance.
there being $500 white and 2,29S colored
schools In the State OF 6,o56 schools
in the country, 2,G5S fall short OF
the legal required average of twenty pu-
pills to q school. We can never have a
real efficient system without better
schools and longer terms Quantity does
not count; quality alone counts. 1t is
better to have one good school than ten
poor ones. I would rather see one good
ruor schools 100 yards froll, my door.
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
IT will not touch on the causes OF
this wide spreading of the schools. but
may say that politics has something to
do with it, and the school system can
never be brought to the highest develop
ment until politics is absolutely eradlca-
ted Another cause is favoritism.
OF 2,032 colored schools in this State.
mo Io Of
twenty pupils And yet the negro
problem when solved will probably be
solved by education. At any rate. we
should try education as factor in de-
termining the negro problem We nave
not absolved ourselves of the resnonsi-
bility until we have tried this factor.
He had urged strenuously that we should
have a system that will put within the
use of the coIored man that which VIII
make him a useful and practical citizen.
If we wish to keep pace with our sister
Commonwealth, we should engraft upon
our public school system some sort OF
technical industrial manual training.
There is nothing in labor but what is
good what is honor, what is dignity
The greatest blight on man is the con-
ception that labor is servile. In Lynch
burg schools some progress has been
made and should be made in all the
State schools IF I had to choose for a
pupil between music and cooking. I
would choose cooking, for one good cook
is worth all the piano players in the
country" The speaker dwelt on the large
quantity of raw material being sent out
of the State at very snan profit being
made into useful articles. returned here.
and sold at q large profit to the seller:
all on account of the lack of a techni-
cal knowledge on the part of our people
to produce the finished product from the
raw stuffs, If technical work is taught
the State will take UP its bed and walk
as it has never walked before
TEACHERS POORLY PAID.
Governor Montague spoke of the pre-
dominance of women teachers in his au-
dtence When women undertake to
teach the children of our Commonwealth.
have no fear as TO the moral stand
ards which will be taught. He urged
them to avil themselves of every edu-
cational advantage possible. Your pay
is small. I know-a disgrace to the
State-yet better thing are in store. The
time is coming when teachers will be-
come so essential that they will demand
better paw You can make yourself
of value When you do so the commu-
nifty will be willing to impose a special
tax to pay you. No worthy man or
woman is ever paid for what he does.
The Superintendent of Public instruction
should be the best paid instructor in the
State, not even excepting the University
professors.
Continuing the Governor said that he
would rather be instrumental in promo
ting the cause of education in this State
than Of accomplishing any one thing
else. You teachers should be inspired
with the hope that that man and woman
is best who serves rather than EFFORTS
service from his fellow man.
In conclusion, the Governor spoke of
the composition of the Board of Edu
cation as provided for In the new Con-
stitution, and ventured the prediction
that it would be q vast improvement
over the old one. He urged the eachers
to make known their wants. as the board
would be more in touch with them and
more responsive, as it had far wider
authority.
OTHER SPEAKERS
In repsonse to calls. short talks were
made by H st. George Tucker of the
Southern Education Board and DR..
Charles w. Kent, OF the University The
former spoke of his recent visit to the