The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-17
CHILDREN, in
lCNOR ANCE.
Mr.. Pulliam Calls Attention to
the Number Of Those Not
at School.
MEETING OF ASSOCIATION
a Number Of Striking Reports
Standardization of Off
GERS for Ensuing Year.
MEETING OF ASSOCIATION

A series Of reports OF an unusual and
striking character distinguished the an
nual meeting OF the Richmond Education
Association. held last night at the Me-
chnnics Institute. and made the ses-
sion Of lively interest to all present.
Tho attendance was very good. and
included n number Of well known gentle
men. among whom were Mayor-clect
Carlton Mccarthy. superintendent Joseph
w. Southnll, Dr.. John =. Mcclure. Mr..
w. r.. Fox. and number Of others
equally as we'll known. officers were
elected and tho annual reports were re-
ceived and ordered to BIO printed. Among
the notable features OF the evening were
the special reports made by the delegates
10 the Eastern Public Education Asso-
citation, Mrs. L. r. Dashiell and the
delegate to the Birmingham conference.
Mr.. b. b. Valentine. The latter included
some striking remarks on the negro and
on the changing attitude OF the North
upon tho problem Of the South, During
the evening there was also brought out
the rather startling fact that not more
than SO per cent Of the children OF Ricn-
mond. OF Manchester and Of virginia
attend the public school This fact was
chester, as pointing out new direction
for the association to follow-a crusade III
the homes or the masses, who neglect 70
give their children the training that VIII
make them more Independent and self
sustaining as individuals and moro val
liable as citizens.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.
The meeting was called 70 order shortly
after $50 o'clock by Judge George L.
Christian. The annual address OF the
president Mrs. B. II. Valentine, was then
delivered. Mrs. Valentine was iberally
applauded. She said:
1t must be evident to tho most casual obser,
yer that there Is a great educational revival
throughout the land. wave OF enthusiasm
has swept over the country, deyesoping h s.tt
OF passion for universal ecucatio.i-what might
be called a form OF civic piety and mani
Testing itself in many and various ways.
The Richmond Education Association was
amongst the earliest OF these manifestations
in Virginia and. in recognition OF the WORK II
has aecompf hesn syen representation on the
Executive Committee OF the Cooperative Edu-
cation Commission OF Virginia, ana ma, mas p sshl
Citations throughout this State and Alaoama as
well. your representative at the Birinins faia
Conference for Education having been asked
10 confer with a committee Of citizens in that
city who had In charge the organzat!sin OF
having thus been clearly demonstrated and
recognized it is our earnest nope taat Inc
association their cordial support In the work
that lies before It.
we have already succeeded in focusing public
attention upon the schools to an extent I'M
cq,a lied before. and have aroused In the COM
munty growing sense OF the inheritance OF OK
upholdng the hands OF the school board ana
thus enabling them to carry out their plans
for Introducing the Kindergarten and manual ,
raining In The schools. We have seen with
delight the first school gardens ever piantea
in Richmond the seeds distributed by us now
hror "
Kindergarten children who arc thus carry
taught to feel a loving interest IN me ,nan mani
festations of nature and the beautiful world
We have seen also the first mothers clubs
our work for the kindargarters. and destined
10 exert potent influence for good In bringing
and tending TO The solution OF some OF the diff
lcultics that hinder the right development OF
each.
done to bring our schools up. to the proper
standard and we must not rest here one n tns
summer in the East End but we need others e
Just like 1t, for number Of our schools , LOT ,
both white and colorcd are dark. d!ngy ana
overcrowded. with Fairgrounds totally MADE
qua.e if H1G iIf's sc pHiopoofe' A DISGRACE.
Our High School building, constructed years
ago when Richmond was but small town, Is
aceommadate the eight hundred students who
are slowed away In its shabby z rooms dnrk
halls and b1ys nrs backed Re
in the little yard behind the school and are
forbidden to play their games for fear Of in
jury to the closely huddled mass. These things
Ne have built new and commod!ou jail
for our criminals, we are making large nddi-
tons to the penitentiary (both We're sndly
needed 1t Is true). but Is It not high time we
should give our children airy beautiful build ND,
can be healthful!y and adequately trained for
lie? And can we afford to lag behind other
cities In the South In providing manual ana
that training which more than any other gives
to the student constructive power and the
{. on regent trip through the South we saw
in Alabama three finely equipped schools FOR
white children (not to speak OF the great
negro Industrial school at Tushegee). where