The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-08
Merged With the One Called by
Or. Barringer.
MAJOR ANDERsoN's SPEECH
pr. Barringer Makes the Welcome Ad-
dress, and Or. SouthaI Replied in
Happy vein-Committees APP
pointed for Regular Work.
Special Dispatch to The Times,

city superintendent of schools Of Vir-
GINA and the one called by DR.. Paul Is.
lsarr;nger. chairman Of the University
faculty, Of those interested in public
schools in Virginia, were merged to-day
and the joint sessions VIII extend
through Thursday OF this week.
The opening exercises were held at 10
O'clock this morning in Colonel Peters
lecture room in the academic building,
Or. ]. ". Southali, State Superintendent
Of Public Instruction, presiding. Prayer
was offered by the Rev. DR.. Colcr, Of the
j School Of Methods faculty.
THE WELCOME
/ In welcoming the superintendent to
the University, DR.. BaIIinger stated that
he hoped the present movement would
;naugurate annual conference at this
institution.
The experience OF other States has
shown that the public school really adj
Tances only where you have developed
: The spirit of local cnGeavor. of local aid
I. and contribution, Of local taxation.
As long rs the money for the public
school comes direct from the State treas
ury (no thought is taken to how it got
there, it is looked upon IN the same light
as the funds for the support OF the penl-
1entiary. the lunatic asylum, reform
schools and other institutions of a more
or less eleemosynary character. When,
however, schools even in part by
local taxation. such taxes are regarded
as more or less voluntary contributions,
and the relation Of the public school 10
ihe community is absolutely changed in
The public estimation.
Under the old Constitution. for reasons
more political than practical, local taxa
lion to extend the length of the public
school term improve the quality OF
the public school type was seldom en-
ployed. The revenue act of the new
Constitution, however, faVors local taxa
a1,-l
not let pass the spirit OF change, which
the putting III force OF this new Constitu-
ton Will promote, without taking ad-
vantage Of ii 10 benefit The public school.
MUST BE TIE BEST SCHOOL.
General experience has shown. that
many people will not patronize the pub
lie school until il has become the best
school in the community. Throughout
the west this has already taken place
and private schools have, practically
speaking, ceased to exist west OF Ohio.
To bring about this change in Virginia
We must create a local interest in public
schools, and such a move is worthy the
attention Of all good people of the State.
The president Of the conference. DR..
Southall, on behalf of the superintend-
ents, made happy response TO DR.. Bar
ringers cordial address of welcome. Viz
gina, he said. was il the midst OF Il
crisis in educa tional matters. and upon
the proper administration of affairs VIII
depend The safety, prosperity and happl-
ness of our Commonwealth.
Secretary Frank Brent announced that
Governor Montague would address the
joint conference and the School Of A1etn-
DDS in the University Auditorium TO-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock
TWO SUBJECTS.
Two subjects were before the confer
ence at the morning session-"What
Constitutes an Efficient Superintend-
ent.' and The County High School. Its
Importance and Its Needs The papers
read, respectively, by Mir. L. NJ Shu-
mate. of Loudun county, and by MIR.
c. Stearns, of Roanoke county. Super
intendent d. L. Pulliam, of Manchester;
John L. West. of Norfolk county; W. D.
Smith, of Scott; j. IS. .McInturff, of
Shenandoah; q. g. Jones, of Accomac Nv.
j. Edmondson. of Washington: Geo. r.
Blick. of Brunswick. an6 George IL
liulvey, of Rockingham
The following committees were ap-
pointed:
On Procedure-E. c. Glass, of Lynch
burg: John S Patton. of Charlottesyille.
g. q. JONES, OF Accomac; Geo r. Blick
OF Brunswick, and Z. L. Copenhavcr, of
smythe
On Reso1utions-D L. Pullian. Of Man
chester: l.. N. Shumate. of Loudoun: D.
NJ. Brown. OF Petersburg. Jno. T. Nest.
of Norfolk county. and George f.
V.
The feature of the days session was
The address at $50 this evening of Attor-
ney General William a Anderson. II
was delivered in the public hail before a
large audience the teachers of the
School OF Methods attending in a body.
Inc ADDRESS created a favorable i'm
preston aad was literally applauded
throughout.
MAJOR ANDERsoN,s SPEECH,
Following are some OF Major Ander-
sons most striking ut;erances:
When the invitation 10 address this
conference, whose members in such
large measure have III charge the edu
Cational interests Of our State came to
me from the honored Superintendent OF
Public instruction, l felt that il was Il
summons which. however pressing, the
demands of other duties, could not dis
regard: for there is no interest which
to-day appeals more strongly 10 the cit
!zen and the patriot than that to which
many Of you are devotinS your lives and
tho hest energies of your being.
The first, the essential requisite to the
advancement and highest welfare of
State is the education of its people.
Not any sort Of education, but right
education.
we know that the schools which we
Rave had for thirty years, and which We
now have, benefcent as they have been
and are. are grossly inadequate
..Considering the adverse conditions they
bad 10 deal With and the mcaSre re-
sources at their command. Wonderful re-
suits have been accomplished by the peo-
pic Of this State in the matter of educa-
ton during the period since your school
system was inaugurated. but we must do
better still.
.:.he very best investment that they
can by any possibility make will be to
SIMPLY such sums are necessary 10
,r:: he our public schools the equal Of any
on earth
The inadequacy of our public educa-
fic,. is not from any shortcoming or
failGrc in our school system. 1t is be-
cause that system does not receive an
adequate support.
ike all other things worth having.
good schools cost money, and The lowest
priced school is in the end the dearest