The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-08
TEACHERS ID HEAR
 FROM CANDIDATES
Will Meet Tomorrow at the
 Court House
CARD FROM E. L. PATTON
Explains the Necessity of Having Bet ter Schools and Better School Laws-The Example to Us
 of Massachusetts.

The white teachers association of Jef- ferson county meet tomorrow morning at the courthouse for the purpose of considering legislative candidates to look after the school interests of Jeffer- son county and to listen to speeches from any of the candidates who have al- ready announced for the legislature and the office of state superintendent of ed- ucation It is said that the teachers as- sociation will not put out a candidate if any of those already announced will pledge themselves to maKe an effort to secure the legislation they wish but will endorse the candidacy of such can didate or candidates.
 Following Is a card from F.. l.. Patton. secretary of the committee of five ap- pointed at a recent meeting of the teach ers' association to investigate the mat ter of legislative candidates relative to the position of the teachers in this mat ter
 MT. Patton's Card.
 The teacher has largely to do with holding and making the character of the children of the state. If he does not know a child's need, then who does? There are about 200 lawyers in Birming- ham, and it Is safe to assert that not five arc familiar with the school laws of Alabama, while it is a fact that most of the teachers are. It is then yitally im- portant that the teacher should show his hand, and should use his influence, for while the teachers may or may not put out a candidate for the legislature it Is their duty and right to demand of any candidate for the legislature that he shall personally pledge his word and his ability and Influence in securing such legislation as the teachers may in their judgment deem best for the interest of better schools and more efficient laws.
 While much has been done towards bet tering the condition of our schools in the past four years we can do more and more must be done. The state examina- tions have been of great aid in school im- provement. Our school fund has been largely increased. The general tone of school work all over the state has im- proved, but in comparison with our in- dustrial and commercial advancement we are In the rear.
 Ignorance No Foundation.
 Commercial and industrial supremacy cannot and will not long stand with ig norance md illiteracy as a foundation. If any one doubts this let them read the history of Massachusetts which fifty years ago had large per cent of Hitter acy, poor school and little wealth. The Massachusetts of today has excellent schools, only two per cent of illiteraey, and great commercial progress.
 This change must occurr in Alabama. We can only accomplish these things di- rectly by good school laws. by the teach CT and his influence, by our lawmakers and their fidelity to these interests. The teachers of the state are the guardians of these interests, they are the guardians of our future citizenship. With this end in view they have the right and ex- pect to demand of the members of the legislature that these interests in their care and keeping shall be protected. With this end in view We have decided to invite all candidates for the legislature to meet the teachers Saturday, August o. at 10 q. m. at the court house to express their