The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-30
North Carolina Association
Elects New Officers.
President Sans and Others Discuss Compu.-
Sorry Education. Interesting Addresses.
May Meet With Teachers As
seciation Next Year.

as IOllOWS.
Presidential F. Sans, principal of
Cary High School.
Weep esident-Martin II. Holt, of Oak
Ridge Institute
Secretary and Treasurer-C. F. Aid
ridge, professor in Trinity Park High
School,
The exercises of the day were opened
at $3.50 a. M, by prayer, in which Rev.
NJ A. Adams led. The secretary's report
showed a membership of about one hun
dred and fifty, representing sixty-five sec
ondary schools. The secretary suggested
a change in the time and place of the
annual meeting, if the Teachers Assem-
bly, would give the Association OF Acad-
emies one day and night of the formers
June session. Motion was later made
to this effect and prevailed, the secretary
being authorized to confer with the execu-
tive committee OF the assembly with this
end in view.
"Our Academies: Their Present Needs
and Future Hopes" was the subject Of an
able discussion by Rev. M. A. Adams,
principal of Mt. Moriah Academy, Auburn.
He stated that the principal needs of the
academy today are adequate plant and
proper equipment. AS to the future of
the academy, ne is of the opinion that all
the various sorts of academies in the
State-Priyate Semi Private, Denomina-
tional, and Community have hope of con-
tinued existence and usefulness except
the last mentioned, which is the institu-
tion undenomnational run by board of
trustees, who, as soon as the school fails
to make expenses out of tuition fees, shut
down the work. He regards the academy
as the strategic point in our educational
warfare, and asserted that so important
is this department of educational en-
deavor the States life today is largely
what the academy has made possible.
In the absence of Principal ]. F. Bivins,
of Trinity Park High School; Prof. G. F.
Aldridge, of the same institution, read
Prof. Biyins' excellent paper On How to
Obtain a Moral Atmosphere in a High
School" The admirable essay abounded
in good ideas drawn from careful obseI
walton, close study, and practical exper-
ience He emphasized the Importance of
a proper life and example on the part of
the high school faculty and pointed to
the Rugby School of which Prof. Thomas
Arnold was the soul and inspiration. He
favored neither looseness of discipline on
the one hand nor ultra puritanic severity
on the other. Moral codes and many
'don'ts' and "thou- shalt-nots," he be-
lieved ineffective. A godly example, a
sympathetic spirit, an entering into the
students lives. appear to their nobler
natures, waking up the better nature
within the pupil-these are means of
creating q right moral atmosphere. The
teacher must impress the awfulness OF
sin and wrong. He must lure to bright
er words and lead the way
The Committee on Conference with the
colleges in relation to Effecting an Or
ganization of Colleges and Academies,
reported progress. Prof. John Graham,
chairman of the committee, moved that
Greek or French or German be added to
the course of study adopted last year by
the association, and that the secretary be
instructed to submit the amended course
to the various college faculties for APP
prevail. The motion was carried. BY pro-
visions of a motion adopted at the ses-
sion last year, the Association of Acade-
mics will expand into am Association of
Colleges and Academies whenever as
many as three colleges write with the
Association OF Academies upon a def
mite list CT colleges entrance requirements
and course of academic study mutually
acceptable.
Principal 4. T. Sans opened an informal
discussion of the question, Should North
Carolina Adopt at Once Some Form of
Compulsory School Law" The speaker
favored such law and thought it would
favorably affect all branches of education
in the State. The matter was further
discussed by DR.. B. f. Dixon, State Audi
tor, who was called out by the chairman,
end who declared himself favorable TO a
compulsory attendance law. He was fol-
lowed by Principal r. L. Madison and
Prof Harry Heck The latter opposed
a general compulsory attendance law
but favored employing the local option
plan and giving each community that
might desire trial of such law the right
to hold special election to decide the
same. He thought it would be unwise
to compel people, regardless of the sec
ton and condition to attend school I'M
less such attendance should be upon q
school worthy of patronage and capable
of Offering and giving real advantages.
1.-The Practical Value of the classics
was the subject of most valuable pa
per presented by Principal Hugh Nor
son, of the Raleigh Male Academy. Prof.
Morson believes firmly in the educative
and cultural value of Latin and Greek
and does not think that anything else
can safely be substituted therefor in a
proper course of study. He quoted high
authority, such as Sir VIM Hamilton in
behalf of his contention that Latin and
Greek provide as indispensable intellect
ual training for which there is no ade-
quate substitute. He deplored the ten
dency to substitute commercial and So
called practical studies or those regarded
as easy branches for the eXacting and
mind developing and culture
classics. Prof. Aldridge followed in a
brief talk endorsing Prof Morson's posi-
ton and ideas.
Profs. Plato Durham and ]. c. Rams
meier, of Trinity College, and Prof C. c.
Crittenden, of Wake Forest College, were
present at this session of the association
and in discussing the advisability of CO.
operation between the colleges and acade-
mics declared themselves in favor of
such organization and cooperation as
would result in the greatest good to both
and prevent any conflict of interests.
Resolutions of thanks were adopted ex-
pressive of the associations appreciation