New-York tribune., 1902-03-16
EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH
A NEW ERA PROMISED FOR
THAT PART OF THE
COUNTRY.
70 PROMOTE PRIMARY SCHOOLS PUR-
POSE OF NEW ORGANIZATION
MONEY WILL BE FORTH
COMING FOR WORK

Columbia, s c, March Is CSpeciaD-The need OF
the extension of the common school system in the
Southern States has impressed itself upon all who
have studied educational problems in that part OF
the country. There many institutions which
nrovide means for higher education. and both
white and black children desirOus of adequately
sitting themselves for successful careers can nnd
facilities II they persistent I'm their efforts. But
the task Of giving the rudimeuts Of education
N the children in large parts Of the South is found
m ne the most difficult TO deal with. Not
only is there little money for building school
hou.es or having teachers. but there IS also the
lsck ~ ANYTHING like public spirit in many com
r7unities and even II children begin going 10
school it is difficult get them to continue. The
schools in many places kept up only for two or
rhree months IN the wear. the teachers are almost
wholly unqualified Cor successful work. while the
school buildings are most unfit FOR the TO which
they are put, and ,ue teAthonks are wholly IN
adequate
The need OF dealing with his cord.t.on - affairs
from the very beginning. and starting educational
work for both the brOades; foundation, mas
impressed itself more and more on those who have
in the last few years taken interest I'm The SUB
ject When William Il. Baldwin. jT-, the wei.
known railroad president. now head OF the Long
Island Railroad Company, was connected WIN
The Southern Railway. ne much OF the actual
conditions IN many Of he States. and beeam" IN
terested in the work of giving that part o. 'he
country the same educational facilities his native
New-England. For several years conferences "t
prominent men the subject have been held, both
in the North and the South, and the movement
has gradually taken shape which has cumna 81
in the formation OF the General Education Board.
AZ the head OF which IS Mr Baldwin. and which is
10 be under the direction executive head OF the
Rev Dr. Wallace Buttrick, OF Albany. Besides Ny.
Baldwin on the executive committee are Dr- j.
NJ Z. Curry who has charge of the Peabody and
Slater funds. devoted Go southern educational
work. Robert G. ogden, Morris X Jesup, DIR.
Daniel {. Gilman, George Foster Peabody DR..
Albert Shaw. Walter H. Page and F. T. Gates.
Among the men OF great wealth interested IA
the movement is John d Rockefeller. and there
IS the expectation that there viii be lack OF
funds TO carry out to success all feasible plans
for aiding not only the existing institutions for
higher education but to establish in the South the
same sort OF common schools for all children as
have given New England pre-emnence in educa-
tonal matters
The present extension OF the work is the out
growth Of that undertaken by the Southern Educa-
tion Association which has held meetings In various
parts Of the South and has interested many men
from the North. The last meeting Of this BODY
vas held in the holiday time at Columbia. = g.
ard all OF the States from Maryland TO Texas Were
represented and generally by their most eminent
educators.
There was little or nothing said about higher
.6ucston From first TO last the work and the talh
IN and out OF the convention was for the education
~ he children O, the masses. white and black
There vas no suggestion Of discrimination against
one race but in the primary education II seemed TO
be the unanimous judgment of these educators thaI
was wisdom and sound policy for State ana COM
munities 30 show the greatest hoefaNty III support
ing free schools for both
Dr. Charles . McIver o. North Carolina. sec
retary OF the Southern Board of Education and a
member OF the campaign committee and field Work
committee OF board. said the purposes OF thls
hoard have been misunderstood IN some parts OF the
,,f2r
papers have intuated that this board. composed
chiefly q Northern men, proposes 10 educate or
designate The line or education FOR the Southern
people and that their action Is a reflection on the
South and their offices should not be accepted Or
McIyer SAYS this is entirely err9neouz ne poafG
consists of twelve members, and was provided f"r
made the executive committee % that conference
and empowered 70 collect money and 70 apply il. 10
Besides DIT Mciver The members OF the board are
Robert c ogden. president George Foster Pea body
treasurer: President Charles W. Dabney, University
& P5sitasn' br G B Fsse
ton Institute; ~. II. Baldwin. jr; The Rey Dr.
Albert Shaw. Editor OF The Review OF Reviews
Walter 4 Page, Editor OF The Worlds Work.
1t Is not the purpose OF this board" said Dr
strengthen What already exist Whatever work II
does rill be done harmony with the local school
give 10 the cause of education in the South as well
ss IN their own communities. many have given
nberally but they recognize do tnat IN many
Instances their gifts have been misappled and the
desired results have not been reached Now friends
m the North have asked for the privilege o. making
hoeral contributions and have asked that Southern
members Of the board on the campaign committee
tsse entire charge Of the work and conduct II as
seems best 10 them. No money viii be distributed
oy this committee 10 institutions OF learning The
committee simply proposes 10 conduct a campaign
oehaf OF better school facilities FOR our children
TO accomplish this work. DR.. Mclver says they
nave divided into two parties. There will be bu-
Ieeu OF Investigation and Information and a field
YORK committee DR.. Curry Will be supervising
director OF both The main object Is TO arouse the
lsfHi communities 10 the Importance OF increased
educational facilities and TO get such communities
20 supplement the State school tax by local taxa
uoh. as is done in every town and city Wherever
movement Is begun In country community 10
stl vote the question OF a special local school
az The information bureau OF the educational
.osro will food that township with attractive lit
.tatOre that will appeal TO the voters. and the field
"V'kers will send speakers into that community