The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-14
Especial to The Messenger.)

haieiRn, N. u, NONelllDeT IL AC
state association of county superinten-
dents of education met here today.
State superintendent J. Y. Joyner is
presiding. He made a strong speech.
One of the subjects to which he special
ly referred was that of the great need
Of school consolidation. There are now
$500 public school districts and i'll
something over 40 per cent. of these
there are fewer than 65 children of
school age. The report on the need of
consolidation was made, also the pro-
gress made along this line for a year
past. 1t was shown by Superintendent
Boyer, of Cabarrus, that excellent re-
suits have followed. In the course of
his speech. Superintendent of Public
Instruction Joyner said:
Never in the history of North Car
slina has there been so large a gath
ering of county superintendent as this.
1 rejoice at this opportunity of confer
ring with so many of my co-laborers
about our great work. 1 congrat tulate
you upon this opportunity of confer
ring with each other, of comparing ex-
perienceS, and exchanging ideas about
.
ting sympathy and inspiration for your
arduous task. This conference has met
for serious business; not for blow and
bluster. Every minute Is precious and
we must strive to use it most profit
ably. / expect much from such a meet
ing. In the multitude of counsel there
is wisdom. This work in which we are
engaged is great and far-reaching-the
education of a generation of North
Oarolinians has, bound up i'm 1T, the
=, I,A,
perity. her happiness, her hope. In its
far-reaching influence it compasses
time and eternity. it comprehends rich
and poor, high and low, born and un-
born.
Upon these men that sit before me
more than upon any others depends
the successful accomplishment of this
stupendous work. OF the 67S,377 chill
dren OF legal school age in North Car
oiina, S2,319 dwell in towns and cities
that have provided for their education
by local taxation excellent schools Su-
perviSed by trained superintendent
and running eight or ten months each
year. The remaining 6I6,056 children
dwell in the rural districts and small
villages and are largely dependent for
their education upon the public schools
supervised by you. Each of you is ths
executive head of the public school
system of your county the legal guard
ian OF its educational interests. You
must pass upon the qualifications of
teachers and ought to advise about
expenditure of the money and look
after the collection Of every cent 20
which your schools are legally entitled:
you must be the chief adviser of the
county board of education in the selec-
ton of committeeman, in the making
Of districts. in the distribution of funds
in the government and regulation of
the schools and in the entire admins
tration Of all school affairs; you must
be the chief moulder of educational
sentiment and the chief agftator OF
educational movements; you must be
the chief friend and counsellor of
teachers, committeeman and patrons,
the organizer, director and supervisor,
the life and inspiration of the schools.
The work is difficult enough and
great enough and sacred enough to re-
quire the entire time and thought, the
entire conservation of every faculty or
head and heart and body of every su-
perintendent, The utilization of every
means for better fitting himself for
such a work and such a responsibility.
In this state association of county su-
perintendents we have met to take
counsel together about our common
work and to discuss ways ard lHeans
of doing it better. One of the first pur-
poses of this meeting and ore Of the
efficient public school system is a
thorough organization of the men that
direct this system in the ninety-seven
counties of the state.
This organization should be mace
permanent. There should be each year
at least one general conference of the
county superintendent with the state
superintendent. Until the compensa-
ton of county superintendents is larg.-
er, a part or all Of the expense of at
tending such a conference should be
paid by the board of education out OF
the general fund. No wiser investment
for the good of their schools could be
made.
Another purpose of this meeting, is
the discussion of questions vitally con-
cerning our common work. Among The
questions are consolidation of districts
Improvement of school houses and
grounds, local taxation, supervision,
etc. In North Carolina last year ST.
Continued on Fifth Page.)