The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-21
THINGS ESSENTIAL
 FOR BIRMlNGHAM'S
 SOLID IMPROVEMENT

Of special value and interest was the meeting yesterday of the Highland Book club at the residence of Mrs. Edward K. Campbell, the discussions dealing directly with the things most essential to the substantial improvement of Birmingham.
 Mrs. Campbells artistic library was thronged with the members of the club, which includes in It's membership many of the most representative women in the city, those leading in educational and philanthropic work
 The policy of the club is so broad and progressive that as an organization it Is in close and sympathetic touch with those movements directly concerning the welfare of the city, and 1t is worthy of more than passing mention, where a club outlines a system of civic improvement on the comprehensive scale revealed in the discussions yesterday.
 The women of Birmingham have al- ways shown a cooperative spirit in the movements tending to municipal improve ment. And not only this; they have of the most necessary and important movements nave been SIHTIeu.
 Mrs. R. II. Pearson was the leader yes terday in the symposium on "The Three Things Most Essential for Substantial Improvement" She touched first upon the need of organizing a housekeepers union as the great remedy of solving to some extent the servant problem There are unions of every description in this city," said Mrs. Pearson, but the house. keepers are absolutely at the mercy of the class of servants who have no com punctions about leaving without a mo- ment's warning and immediately securing a situation in the neighborhood."
 Mrs. Pearson thought that some con- certed effort should be made whereby housekeepers could be protected, and the securing of positions by those servants who left without any warning would be more difficult than 1t Is under present conditions.
 Mrs. Pearson then discussed municipal improvements in a general way, taking up the subjects of our public school sys- tenn, the free kindergartens the need of technological school and the starting of small industries.
 Mrs. Pearson's remarks were as eol- lows:
 Ages ago 1t was said by Confucius that Let a ruler base his government upon virtuous principles and he will be like the pole star which remains steadfast In its place, while all the hosts of stars turn towards it.
 "Cities like states must develop accord ing to the laws of their orgin, and no city founded on principles for the good of the people, impressed with the stamp of their honest indepenoence and stub- born patriotism could fail to produce a result which would uplire mankind. To govern simply by statute or ordinance and to reduce all to order by means of pains and penalties is to render the peo- pie evaslve and devoid of shame,
 ''I conceive 1t to be the highest duty of everyone to be a good citizen, by which mean to take seriously all the duties which one owes to a self-governing com munity, of which one Is a responsible part, to labor diligently to equip one's self for the intelligent discharge of all those | duties and to strive earnestly to perform them regardless of ones own pleasure.
 "The ideal of citizenship should be ever encouraged, for by such do we elevate the standards of life. To the best end by which to attain such a citizenship, ed- ucation of the masses Is the first es- sential towards the improvement of every city particularly Birmingham. An en- frightened citizenship lessens crime and | ba Of municipal machinery smoothly and hon estly to the best interest of everyone.
 Education creates a better sentiment. and in this Is the philosophy of the evil and the remedy.
 Mere laws designed for the public good will always prove notifications with out a good citizenship, fully informed as to it's rights with a courage and judg- ment to adopt remedial measures towards the comfort peace, protection and health of the highest to the humblest individual member of the community.
 Our School System.
 Tt Is conceded that we have an excel- lent school system, but we should en- large its scope, power anc usefulness by relieving 1t of the burdens and handicaps ! 10 which 1t is now subjected. It should be so independent system that every child could obtain an absolutely free edu- cation and every child be compelled to att tend regularly. By compuson alone can an enlightened educated citizenship be att tained, and 1t is the first duty of the present we owe to posterity and to our saIVes A government of equal rights must rest upon the nina, not on force, not on property, nor on wealth.
 Just here should we emphasize the im- portance and good of the free kindergar- ten. That is of course a feeder to the other schools The people of our town, .,f al, 1,