The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-13
not be tempted to make traffic out Of the examination questions.

The State Schools.
 The state schools including the State University, the Alabama Polytechnic In stitute, the normal schools, the Girls h. dustrial school, and the nine district az rlcultural schools are nearly all in a flourishing condition. The last term of the University and of the Alabama Poly technic Institute, were the best in the history of these institutes, and l am h. formed that, for the present scholastic year they have opened with greatly in- creased attendance.
 The increased appropriation given to the normal schools by the last legisla- ture has put them on better financial basis and has enabled them to more nearly accomplish the work for which they were intended. There Is always Q demand that cannot be supplied Tor teachers from the normal schools. Eacn one of these schools Is turning out an nually good numbers of teachers who go out into the rural schools.
 The district agricultural schools, work ing under the plan provided by the last legislature, are beginning to meet the ob- 1ects for which they were established Under this new plan there Is local board composed of two members from each district and an executive commit tee who are also members or the board of control. The executive committee consists of the governor, commissioner Of agriculture end industries, and the super intendent of education. It Is the ob- feet of the executive committee and of the local members to de-localize the schools to make them district instead or local schools. To this end they have separated the agricultural school proper from the six lower grades. The state supports the agricultural school proper from it's appropriation from the agricul- tural fund and the communities in which the schools are located are compelled to support the primary grades. Not one cent of the agricultural state fund Is used in the support of the six lower grades In addition to this, the execu- tive committee has absolutely demanded that the agricultural feature intended by the law be carried out. They Insist that the experiments prescribed be made and that the districts in which the schools are located be given advantage of the information obtained from the ex- periments l predict a brighter era fol the agricultural schools under the new plan of management, and I feel assured that the opposition which has existed 1T some quarters, seeing the good that thes' schools are doing will cease.
 The Girls Industrial school at Monte vallo is doIng, as far as possible, thu work for which 1t was established. Tn lack of funds and of accommodation naturally hampered the school in it work. Under the guidance of a capabl president. sn enthusiastic set of teach CTS are doing all they can to make thi school the best in the state and thei labors are indeed gratifying.
 Deaf, Dumb and Blind.
 The Institute for the Deaf. Dumb ant Blind, located at Talladega, deserves consideration not only on account or the object for which 1t is intended, but on account of the superior work which IL IS doing Of all the schools in the state supported by state aid, this school IS closest to the heart of sympathetic Ala bamians. I have recently had occasion to make a visit to this school and to in- yestigate carefully the character or the | work done 1 can commend the school and the work unqualihedly'
 University Summer School.
 long step towards providing the state with competent teachers was ta- ken in the establishment of summer school at the University of Alabama. The | fret school held under this law was a distinct success, and the experience had bv those in charge will contribute to the 1 further success of the schools in the fu- l ture. I am informed that more than l three hundred and sixty enthusiastic teachers attended this school for six weeks When you bear in mind that a majority of these teachers came from the rural districts and that they are not young girls or boys endeavoring | to procure certificates, but are teach CTS already. the effect of the plan will be seen at once. The state could mol spend more wisely which 1t expends or this school any other way.
 Farmers Summer School.
 During the summer there was conducted at the Alabama Polytechnic institute ( very successful school for farmers. There were in attendance nearly 400 farmers who attended the session regularly fol ten days. The very best talent that eoul'