The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-24

DOQy 1unuS, anu III GlIlS ZIG aPP''''>
of a committee. acting In harmony or III
conjunction with the management on
these funds to assist in the wise DIS
| tribution Of contributions for education.
DUE no DIR. CURRY.
| 1t will be seen, therefore, that the first
movement towards the formation OF
board came as the result Of DR.. Curry's
cloquence, and with the thought OF as
slstng this trusted representative of Vir-
Einia and the South in the carrying ont
of plans already cordially aiproVi by
every southern Legislature, and the ire
mendous value of which to the South
| had been proven beyond a doubt. Tho ses-
sion of the following year--the third and
last on Virginia soil, previous to our
gathering here-wns stirred to Its depths
by the story told by Captain Vawtcr, the
friend and fellow soldier OF Jackson and
Lee Of what he had been able to- accom-
plish for the white boys of Albemarle
county by giving them Industrial train
ing IN the Miller School. He showed how
GOO boys. through the aid of this sort of
education. had been able to earn an
nualy from s225, OC0 to $500 900 more than
in all probability they would otherwise
have received, while they had at ths
same time been enabled to render inval-
liable services to the communities in
which they lived. His eloquent speech
closed with these words: God grant that
tho inspiration OF this day may be for
the uplifting OF both races in our South
land along the line OF what is most need
cd-systemntic, Intelligent, Industrial
training" This session was memorable.
too. as being the last in which the con.
ference listened to the words OF wisdom
Of that noble statesman and educator.
honorable William L. Wilson. While he
strongly opposed an appeal to Congress
for help for southern education, he cor
daily approved the plan OF the confer
ence for the Improvement Of the schools.
It was largely through the admiration
which President Wilson Inspired t.. the
members Of the conference that the
raising Of the William L. Wilson me-
mortal fund for Washington and Lee
University was mado possible after his
death.
The remainder of the report was taken
M with tho work Of Hon. II. st. George
Tucker and Dr. Robert Frazer, field
agents OF tho Southern Education Board.
He gave the following needs OF the yir-
ginia schools, as outlined by DR.. Frazer.
"First-,Virginia greatly needs trained
teachers and moro normal schools, espe-
cially Tor women.
"Second-I should rejoice to see three
or four modern, well equipped and we'll
manned schools established at conspicu-
Gus rura! centers, to let tile people sec
what real school Is A single model
school, well placed, with a good equipment
Of modern appliances, with library and
laboratories, with provision for manual
trimming and nature study, and with we'll
trained teachers would be the most fruit
full object lesson that could be given to
our people.
"Third-I should like to SEQ in each
county a competent superintendent, CIV
Ing all his time to the direction Of his
! schools and receiving a salary commensu-
| rate with his work. Tho new constitu-
| tional provision for redistricting the State
I With n view to more efficient supervision
| OF schools Is step In the right direction. -
Dr.. Edwin A. Alderman.
4, One Of the brightest and most charming
addresses of tho session vas delivered by
Or Edwin A. Alderman, of New Orleans.
I BY way of introduction OF his discussion
| he said:
Il desire to report briefly to this con-
| ference to-day the work attempted, the
results thus far accomplished and the
plans in mind In tho Southwestern field
| since the last session of this conference
In April, 1902. 1t should be clearly under
stood that orr great purpose Is to arouse
an Irresistible public opinion for the es-
Enlistment and maintenance of a system
of schools adequate for the needs OF a
free people. The first achievement of this
public opinion will be the appropriation
of sufficient money for such schools. This
money may be obtained by State appro-
rfAtion, by local taxation and commu-
nifty effort, and by appropriation Of I'M
expended balances by parish and county
boards The next achievement will be the
consolidation OF weak schools into strong
central schools and The hauling of chill
dren to these central schools. It Is be-
licved that better ool-houses, the
trained teacher and all other blessings
viii follow in the wake of these achieve,
mcnts, Much has been accomplished Ii
these directions by devoted men in the
Southwestern field for the last twenty
years, but each new generation must
fight for It's life and the life of the gen
, Grafton to come
'"rhe most notable events of the fal
months In Louisiana We're two great meet
ings-one for the white people and one
for the negro people, The meeting of tn,
parish superintendent Of the State wa!
held In New Orleans under the genera
direction of DIR, Wallace Buttrick, gen
eral agent of tho General Education
Board, 1t was attended by all of the Sill
perintendents of the state and was fruit
full IN practical suggestions and stimua
ton. The most distinct value Of the meet
ing was the impulse given 10 tho idea o
consolidation OF schools, Extensive con
soldator has occurred In the parishes o
' Lafayette, Ascension and Sabine, and !
is proposed to consolidate eighteen dis
tllcts in Iberia parish and to ESTABLISH
a central school, from which no child vii
be distant more than ten miles.
Tho next great meeting was ono 70
the colored race, md was attended b.
the leading teachers and citizens OF tn
negro race from all over the state. 1t wa
held In New Orleans In October and wa
under the general direction of Principa
Booker u, Washington The address o
Principal Washington was characterize
by his usual patriotic common sense an
earnestness and meant a good deal II
the moulding OF public opinion in tn
minds OF the white race and fixing ra
tional ideals in the minds of the colore
race.
CONDITIONS PROMISING,
Il am glad to say To this conferenc
. that conditions are now Thoroughly prom
Using for fruitful campaign in the Stat
of Louisiana, The movement Is now
genuine. whole-hearted movement, nm
tho rayt tbree tnontha will ba months n