The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-17

Discussion, Superintendent ". s. Neal, Eseambia county; Superintendent J. P. Koonce, Lauderdale county.
 Topic, Generalization of Rural Schools"
 Paper, Superintendent B. B. Broughton, Russell county.
 Discussion, Superintendent A. M. spes- sard, Perry county Superintendent II. T. Pearsons, Calhoun county.
 Topic Agriculture in the Rural Schools"
 Paper, Superintendent J. L. Barnard, Marshall county.
 Discussion, Superintendent T. J. Cook, DeKalb county; Superintendent c. D. Mitchell, Marion county. The business and papers of the superin- tendents will be completed at the session this afternoon at 3 o'clock. The pro- gramme includes several important dis cussions, among which Is that of local taxation for school purposes.
 The Addresses.
 At the opening yesterday morning Mayor Drennen in his address said that 1t was an honor to have the teachers in Birmingham for second time and that the city was glad to welcome the mem- bers. He spoke of the noble work of the teachers and how poorly paid they were for their labors. He showed through the figures of the report of the commissioner of education that the teachers only re- celve an average of s17.s6 month, and he hoped under the new constitution that arrangements would be made for an in- crease in their salaries.
 Mayor Drennen also referred to the eff forts to erect new high school building in Birmingham capable of seating 15OO children and to cost something like $2OO,- O0o His speech was received with ap- rlause
 Dr. John Massey replied by alluding to the growth of Birmingham since he first passed through here years ago. He spoke of the wonderful increase in It's popula- tion, influence and wealth, and how it's buildings are now reaching towards the skies, when forty years ago there were nothing but fields here.
 President M C. Wilson of Florence read his annual report, in which he stat ed that the conditions in Alabama are much better than they ever were in the history of the state, and that there is an awakening which promises to do much for education in the state. He stated that recently, for the first time in many years. there has been full meeting of the educators of the state and that they had. each and every one. gone home with renewed determination to keep at work as the result of their past labors was be- ing felt and appreciated.
 He stated that the legislature was making efforts to come to the aid of the teachers and that the public conscience towards public education was being awakened He also stated that a more diffused belief in general education was necessary, and urged cooperation on the part of the teachers in making a crusade against indifference to education.
 He also urged that there be an organi- zation in every county in the state. He urged also that the teachers create a wholesome respect for the schools in their counties and cities. Through thls, he said, there would come an awakening in the state, which he said was badly needed.
 President Wilson also impressed on the teachers that this was tne time to de- mand improvements in the schools. He stated that this had been talked of for years, but that now if work was done the efforts would crystallize and result in the needed changes. He closed by again urging that the teachers work to- gether.
 pr. Mclver's Address.
 
 president of the North Carolina State Normal school, delivered at the armory last night, was one of the most eloquent and animating ever heard in Birming- ham, and was listened to with rapt at- tention by members of the educational association. His theme was "Educational statesmanship" An outline of the ad- dress follows:
 Every age or man or nation that has a permanent place in the category of great ness holds this place because of some con tribution of permanent value to the worlds civilization. Jerusalem and relig- ion, Greece and art, Rome and war are correlative terms in thought and ltera- ture. So will historians associated with America name the ldea or democratic government.
 Democracy means equality of opportu- nity and equality of responsibility, limited only by native individual endowment. A democracy must give freedom to work, freedom to training for work, and that means a training for work to make one an effective and useful citizen.
 I,a Ior orfJx a1v Ia but is the most influentiaI citizen on mat ters of the legal kind. So the physician is the most influential citizen in sanitary matters. and so the teacher should not only teach children but should be the lead ing citizen in all educational matters.
 After touching on the cost of education and the life of a teacher. Dr. McIver said