Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-22
Interview With Superintendent
Stetson on Southern Trip.
Portland & Rumford Falls Railroad
Petitions for Change Of Highway.
New Corporations File Certificates with
Secretary of State.

| REPRESENT llNt lldu dll 'ii'Nt
with him On this matter the other DAY
Nj. Stetson said:
THE opportunities | have hiu loi
studying the school question III VIZ
gIIia, North Carolina and tennessee
. have made. it clear to me that III GER
+, tain ways the Southern people are
raahing great strides in educational
matters. The most impressive phase
Of the educational movement III the
| South is the interest the reading men
take in school matters. Members o.
u Congress- Governors, Judges of the
! SUPREME Court ana prominent citizens
generally. are reading, studying and
: talking about the Improvement of the
common school. They are not content
i with saying a good school is a good
.hing, but they discuss in detail the en-
| lArgement and Improvement Of school
grounds. the decorating and beautify-
: ing of school-rooms. the studies that
J should be taught, the methods that
should be used and give the reasons for
employing trained teachers.
ITO what extent do these men inter
est themselves in educational matters?'
asked the reporter.
The governor of one of the southern
states delivered nineteen addresses in
the rural sections OF his state during
one season. a Supreme Judge spoke
almost every day during long vaca-
ton at educational meetings in his Cir-
emit. Gov. AYcock Of North Carolina
dovotes more than half his time to
visiting the sparsely settled portions OF
the state and talking to great audi
ences on the necessity of the local
community improving the local school
At first he was subjected to consider
d Ole criticism because he insisted that
equal school privileges should be pro-
vided Tor both blacks and whites, bu!
he has largely overcome this antaGo-
nSln and draws larger audiences than
fattend political gatherings. He is one
Of The most eloquent speakers in the
South, he is the leading attorney of his
state and has evidently dedicated him
self to the work of making the schools
of North Caroline second to none in the
| nion.'
How did the Summer School Of the
South impress YOU
The Summer School at Knoxville,
tllll, WIS t!lt i'li St'Sl tNCi litli III tii'9
. country, or any other. Every south
ern state was represented, and large
number of northern and western
states had teachers and superinten-
dents in attendance. The school main
Toned nearly seventy departments.
.tThcSe teachers are characterized by
great earnestness. The controlling
motive with them seems to be the de
srn to IL themselves for their work.
No more inspiring audiences ever
greeted a public speaker than those
I found at these assemblies. 1t reneWS
! one's faith and strengthens ones cour-
! age to see such manifestations of inter
/ est and faithfulness."
The exercises on the fourth of july
are said to have been peculiarly i'm
nreesive The entire school was in Linz
and each member carried n United
| states flag. The auditorium was hand
| somely Graped with the national colors
and the cheering of the flag and OF
! patti lotto sentiments was almost wildly
vnthusiastic."
What conclusions did you draw
from your observations regarding tho
~, gro problem in relation to education
al matters""'
"A large majority of the white people
] met in tn" South are outspoken fo'
| equal educational privileges for botf
| races A small fraction of the white
in All Of the states visited think tina
tduca,i0n viii not improve the negro"
What is to be the outcome of thu
negro problem in the SOUTH"
| ~, rn-nnnr1 in il
the South for the improvement of th'
negro The majority of the white ant
the better class of the negroes; adde,
to these are a large number of wealth.
men and women in the North Thi
ma jorty is insisting on equal schoo
privileges for all. The leaders amon'
| the negroes have set for themselves tn
task of giving, at least, q common
| school education to all negro children
THOSE who have not made il study o
the matter little realize the large sum
that have been sent to the South b.
our people for the purpose of educating
| the negroes.
"Tha final outcome will be the sam
IS 1t has been with other primitiv
races. Many negro children are no
capable of being educated except il
the elements of reading, writing, spell
ing and number; some have the capa
city which permits them ito take
legendary school course with profit;
: small fraction can take full colleg
course. The best thing for the negr
is to furnish him with such opportuni
ties as he can use. and then his chill
Gren will be able to go farther than il
has gone
IN making the above statement
have You taken into consideration tn
effect of the Acknowledgement of tn
, negro?'
The most of the negroes / met a
Hampton and in North Carolina an
Tennessee seemed to be inspired by
Grim determination to convince tn
whites that they can fit themselves t
!. he worthy citizens. Many of ther
have gone to work resolutely to acquir
property. live honestly and educat
their children. They are attemptin
the solution of the negro problem fo
themselves"
You speak with special emphasis q
the fact that the leading men of tn
South take an intelligent interest in tn