Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-16

Consolidation OF the rural schools of
Virginia: Congressional District rallies to
educate community sentiment up to the
facilities Of the State Normal to proper
lY equip teachers for Industrial instruc-
tion--these things the Virginia school sup
erlntendents stamped with the weight of
their approval yesterday.
a 'stearing' committee, in a sense,
was appointed to formulate such laws as
the best interests Of the school system
demanded. the committee to have exis-
tence during the life Of the present Leg
isIature, to which Its drafts of laws are
to be presented from time to time.
There was no spectacular or dramatic
feature at either Of the two sessions. The
spirit Of earnest inquiry was manifest;
deductions from premises followed logi-
cally, and the climax of every important
discussion WAS unanimous action. for the
bettermenta of popular education.
At Sthe morning session the subject of
consolidation was discussed. Not a voice
was raised to object. But the how
ELECTED a volley OF questions from earn
est, practical men mountaineers. many of
them, VINO foresee the difficulties, and
seek solution OF the problem of trans
portat ton.
Professor Bird, Of William and Mary,
answered the how question at the night
session. '.The way to consolidate is to
consolidate. Merge the two schools near
est each other, no matter what the inter-
vening distance Pin them together with
the right kind of teacher-but be sure
you have the right kind, even If you have
to go outside your local district. or coun-
ty, or section. 1t Will not be necessary
to go outside the State" Professor Bird
is intensely Yirginian.
The kindergarten, which is the founda-s
ton of manual training. was discusseu
at the night session. It Is not proposed
to annex" kindergarten instruction to
the public school system Of Virginia. 1t
must be absorbed, :, s''assimilated," into
The system. a department of kindergar-
ten instruction., and "a department OF
domestic science were both recommend
ed for addition to the equipment of the
State Normal School.
No sessions of the conference will equal
In popular interest those to be held to-
day-tile last day of the conference. THE
Kind Of Education Best Suited for Ne
groes. and How to Secure the Best Train
ing for Negro Teachers will be discussed
this morning by DR.. F. B. Frissell. OF
Hampton, james NJ. Beckhan, of Cul-
peper, and D. NJ. Brown, of Petersburg.
! eLOlIpu1SOty Will DS ulSSQSSSu
afterwards. Mr.. c. u. Scott, of Amherst,
opening the discussion.
Up Bright and Early.
Bright and early the superintendents
were at the Mocha mics Ins -1tute yesterday
morning, many OF Them arriving nearly
an hour before the first session of the
two scheduled TO be held during the day.
Attendance was apprecia bly, larger
when Dr.. Southall. the chairman. CALI
ed the conference to order shortly after
10 o clock.
"consolidation Of Schools was the
topic of the morning. a fine talk was
made by Superintendent Joynes. OF Ac-
comac, who told of the experiment in his
county, wnere consolidation has made
splendid progress.
Appointment Of district trustees was
warmly advocated by Superintendent.
Joynes. He hoped the conference would
memorialize the legislature in the inter-
est of appointment The applause which
swept through the hall indicated that
the speaker had touched a responsive
chord.
It was agreed among the superintend-
ents that consolidation was the real prob
lem facing the school authorities Of Yir-
ginia.
How to solve 1t was the question. Dr..
Stone, Of the University. gave an account
OF an experiment ne nad IOltOWeQS IN lHs
mountain section Of Albenarle. City
schools right out in the mountains can
he had declared DR.. Stone.
The solution of the problem, in Dr..
Stones opinion. was series OF rallies
In the counties and districts. &
It had been decided, said DR.. Stone. to
have such a rally5of the Seventh District
people The decision was made ia con-
terence Of the Seventh District superin-
tendents early yesterday morning. Dr..
Stone advocated rallies Ill the interest Of
consolidation in all the congressional dis
tricts.
In an amusing speech Dr.. Henning en-
tertained the conference. His was also
an instructive talk He related & Q his
tory Of the consolid dation movement in
Powha tan.
Most Important Action.
The most important action of the morn
Ing session was the appointment of
committee to have existence during the
life Of the present general assembly, It's
duty consisting in the formula ton OF such
legislation as may be desired for the pro-
motion Of public education In the State.
From time to time this committee Will
,, submit drafts of acts designed to carry
out the general purpose OF the conferences.
On 81 the committee were appointed
Messrs. ". NJ. Lynch. William F Fox,
u. NJ. Shumate. Willis Jenkins, r
West, l. Pulliam. Gavin RaWls. w.