The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-24

PRESIDENT ROBERT G. OGDEN.
be considered separately-their work is
aunt; they are the halves of complete
sphere; they are interpedendent, subject
lively and effectively. Seven men are
members in both boards.
cat the office of the General Education
Board in New York, under the direction
of DR.. Buttrick, vastamount of infor-
nation is being accumulated and tabu-
lated concerning schools and educational
institutions in the various States covered
in the operations of the boards From
the Bureau of Information under the di
rection of DR.. Dabney, at Knoxville,
Tennessee, a great mass of popular and
statistical literature has been circulated
to the newspaper press and to individuals.
Assistance has been extended to various
schools and institutions, divided nearly
equally between the races. Various sum-
mer schools for teachers have been en-
couraged and assisted, none entirely sup
ported. Certain counties in several
States have been encouraged to improve
the public schools by subscription and
LEGAL taxation by the duplication of funds
thus raised by the General Education
Board These experiments display the
possibilities of self-help. State Confer
ences of County Superintendent of Ed
ucation have been held, with highly sat
isfactory results, in Virginia North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia,
Alabama, Florida and Louisiana. Others
will follow, and probably the usefulness
of the system will warrant its contin-
uance.
ut is also needful to remember that the
conference is essentially in control of the
Southern delgates. and that such North
ern official representation as exists has
been in obedience to the unanimous de-
mand of the conference. In harmony with
this feature of the conference, all the
members of the campaign committee,
composed OF the several district and bu-
reau directors of the Southern Education
Board are residents of Southern States
In addition, nine other prominent South
ern men are representing the boards in
various forms of activity Any apparent
ndelicacy that may attach to this state
ment must be excused because of some
misunderstanding concerning the person
mel and purposes of the boards.
This conference primarily owes it's
existence to great class who have heard
and obeyed the call to personal service
In the beginning it earnestly extended
sympathy to teachers of every degree,
and quickly came back a loyal response.
From then until aow the blessed tie that
binds has been strengthened and the
reflex atmosphere of appreciation has
encouraged the men and women from
various other walks of life to remain in
association with the conference. But
without the help of the teachers it would
long since have expired.
"Encourag cement has also come from
educational officials. The conference and
the boards have been in most delightful
harmony with the governors of States
superintendent of education of States
and cities, presidents of universities and
colleges and trustees f many institu-
tions Thus the influences have been re-
ciprocal and twice blessed.
TRIBUTE TO DIR. CURRY
1.-THE appeal for personal service in this
holy cause of popular education comes
with largely added force from the fact
so painfully impressed upon all familiar
with our conference life that we meet
today with ranks sadly broken. The
Nestor of Conference. DR.. J. L. NJ Curry
absent last year on an important gov
eminent mission to a foreign country
has paid the debt to nature and will
personally appear no more at our meet
ings. Another opportunity will be given
the conference to pay its tribute of re-
spect to his character and public service.
But the solemnity with which we face
the question of the personal call to duty
is made intensely profound by the
thought of the inspiring example of our
leader. The massive and intense per-
sonal force of his nature was dedicated
with uncompromising devotion to the
work of universal education. The mould
ing power of his constructive mind will
remain permanently impressed upon the
educational systems OF our Southern
States as an unceasing betterment. His
last public service was attendance upon
the annual sessions of the Education
Boards at New York in January 1t is
gratifying to know that from this con
ference and its cognate forces he derived
much hope and satisfaction in declining
years As the standard has
fallen from his hand let us raise and
carry it floating skyward until we III
turn surrender it to other hands. And
then may it be ours TO leave the same
impress of noble task well performed
as benediction to our little world and
challenge to the services of others.
There is also great encourage cement in
the devotion of many earnest souls to
the work represented here. A revelation
of the self sacrificing service through
many channels of effort of the life now
| before me would be powerful inspira-