The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-15
To GEORGIA'S NEEDS
MINDS OF SCHOOL CoMMIssIOSERs
WERE DIRECTED.
EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH.
DISCUSSED BY GATHERING THAT
WAS HELD IN ATHENS.

Supt. Otis AshmOre Tells of the
Meeting and Its ResuIts-Inspired
by the Southern Educational
Board, Under Whose Auspices 1t
Was COnducted-A Gathering of
Distinguished Men-SchOOI Com
misSiOpers From All Parts of the
State-RuraI school Consolidation
and other TOpics-Negroes Are De-
teriOrating in Technical Skill.
Supt. AshmOre Thinks Board Is
Messing Along Proper Lines.
The state of education in Georgia
was the subject of the conference of
county school superintendent recently
held in Athens. Supt. Otis Ashmore
returned yesterday from attendance
upon the conference, bringing new
ideas for the conduct of the schools CT
the state.
The gathering at Athens was called
by DR.. Wallace Butterick, field agent
of the Southern Educational Board.
The purpose was to gather information
about matters of education in this
state. A similar process will be gone
through with in other southern COM
monwealths. To aid in effecting good
educational results is the purpose of
the board.
A meeting was held last spring in
Augusta, and it was then the COM
missioners decided upon the gathering
in Athens. On behalf of the board, DR..
Butterick paid the transportation ex-
Of no
school commissioners and others in
! terested in education.
Prominent Men There.
1t was a meeting of distinguished
men. 1t was presided over by Mr.. G.
r. Glenn, state school commissioner,
and Chancellor Walter B. Hill. of the
University, and Hon. Joseph B. Ter
rell, the next Governor of Georgia,
were among those who attended.
To the meeting Dr. Butterick pre-
sented a list of 1872 questions. cover
ing all points involved in the subjec.
of education in the South. Answers to
these questions were made by the C,Im-
missioners at the meeting. and in ad-
dition copies of the list were taken
home by them for future reference. The
questions will be answered by them at
the commissioners leisure. and the
combined results conveyed through
Commissioner Glenn to DIR. Buttericik
One of the most interesting questions
discussed was that of the consolidation
of country schools. The idea is to bring
two or more schools together and to
convey the pupils to the building in
wagons. The project has been tried in
various parts of the country and has
always proven a great success. 1t re-
ceived the approval of the conference
Athens O1oI olxy 10, ~,
effect in this state in whatever coun-
ties it is feasible. Conditions are such
in Chatham that it is not likely ii will
be tried here.
Another subject discussed was that
of local school taxation. In very many
of the counties of the state there is
no local taxation for education, and the
schools are supported by the state ex-
clusively. 1t has been generally recog-
nized that this is an unfortunate state
OF affairs and that it should be rene
died. Most of the commissioners, how
ever, seemed to be of the opinion that
their counties would not tolerate adj
ditional taxation for educational pur-
poses
Status of the Negro
The best education for the negro was
another topic of discussion. 1t was
agreed that the negro is not receiving
the form of education best adapted to
his needs, and that training more
technical and industrial is demanded
1t was the general opinion that the
younger negroes are deteriorating in
intelligence and skill, and that some
plan should be devised to meet this diff
ficulty. There is a dearth of negro
teachers of real ability, which is an
other need that should be supplied A
committee, consisting of Hon. Hoke
Smith, Mr.. Lawton B. Evans and Mr..
Ashmore, was appointed to supply sug-
| gesuons along this line. The commit
tee will report to DR.. Butterick, though
| Commissioner Glenn, in the course of
! the next few weeks.
These were the principal subjects of
| discussion at the gathering, but there
were many others. Mr.. Ashmore said
he believes the board is acting along
the proper lines and is using effectual
|