The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-14
Dr.. Ruffner's View.

Anent tho recent educational meetings
in Norfolk, the following letter from
Dr.. william H. Ruffner, the founder OF
the nublic school system in Virginia. will
be of interest:
TO the President of the Cooperative Ed
ucation Commission OF Virginia:
Ny Dear slr,-Your very kind letter
OF the I'd instant did not reach me in
time to 20 to Norfolk. or to write; but
years ago quit attending lettings
where my presence was likely to be no
iticcd. And It is only on very extraordi-
nary occasions that I write letter that
might DO used publicly. am past the
sere and yellow leaf, and have become
too brash for any sort Of strain.
Therefore, my friend, hope you Will
DO content with the assurance OF my
undiminished interest In the cause Of
popular education, and my Joy and pride
in the illustr campaign which has
been ana still ia waging in behalf OF this
greatest cause which can engage the at
tention Of the citizen. The results will
mot come as q rushing wind, but they
will as surely como as harvest follows
seed time. Il
observed that your association has a
good meeting in Norfolk. ~ I hope you
will make tho ladies prominent in prac-
teal work. They will do more than men.
Please accept my thanks for your in
vitation, and your very complimentary
words. With high regard.
Sincerely yours,
". II. RUFFNER.
III reading the above letter from this
noble veteran, one clearly perceives that
the Cooperative Education Commission
OF Virginia marks not divergence, but
continuity In the educational policies OF
Virginia. The commission, which seeks
merely to unity and reinforce all educa-
tional agencies, has from the first recog-
nIzed profoundly tho vast work amid
many difficulties OF tho pioneers anu
present lnborers in Virg'nia's schools. It
was indeed. the faithfulncss and the sue
cess OF these workers that made possible
the formation OF such a union of force
as the Cooperative Education commis-
sion stands for. While all OF our uni
versitles, colleges academies and public
schools were doing excellent work. It
was plain that they were suffering from
isolation Hence men were driven to feel
the need Of cooperation to secure the
best results. When all these interests
met together in the commission 1t was
found that their Identities were Infinite
~ stronger than their differences. That
grateful discovery has been the secret
Of the SUCCESS which has attended all
the plans OF the Cooperative Education
Commission. as has just been cvinccd
No 6,,ut In nd h.,r Inn
spirit OF It's session In Norfolk last week.
Conditions In Virginia were ripe for the
hearticst union of all In behalf of the
| common schools In the country districts,
| the primary aim OF the commission.
! An able writer on American education,
| Charles Il. Tlwing, makes this statement:
"At the present time in the United States
about one boy or girl Of each thousand
| Of tho population is student In an
| American college" IT has sometimes
| happened that our colleges and un!ycrsi-
| ties have been eager In their compct1-
ton to get this thousandth boy. Is 1t
not better plan for all TO Give their
energies TO melting tho nine hundred and
| ninety-nlno mt present neglected ones ia
desire the highest culture? Thus, whc,i,-
er you regard tho material interests OF
the state at large. or tho uplift OF the
whole people, or the advancement Of our
higher institutions OF learning, you find
the core Of the problem to be the I'M.
provement OF tho country free school
Virginia now sees this clearly. and nenct
the splendid efforts which our states.
men. pastors teachers, financicrs ant
common schools. in tho country as
tricts.
r. Observation-Disclosures
rHLa IIsr.l, C.l.aHl --..- -.-E-.-