The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-09
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1901.
The Press and the Schools.

In his address before the Cooperative
Education Commission, during Its session
in Norfolk, Hon. j. w. Southall. Superin-
tendent Of Public Instruction, declared
that he was greatly discouraged because
the people did not attend educational
meetings. He said that recently one OF
the county 'superintc,,dents attempted TO
get up an educational rally, and adver-
tised well that the meeting would DO I'D
dressed BY the State Superintendent ana
Or. Robert Frazer. AT the appointed
time the speakers appeared. but the All
4 dience was composed almost entirely OF
women and children. The taxpayers,
whom the speakers desired especially 70
address, were not in evidence There
was present no member of the school
board; tLere was 10 clulty oftic hi cS'
cept the county superintendent.
That sort Of thing is necessarily dis
couraging to tthe friends Of education.
If this meeting had been held during an
exciting political campaign, the voters
and the fact that they did not turn out
TO hear two distinguished gentlemen,
who have consecrated themselves TO the
cause of education, showed lamenlable
lack OF interest. But there is a way Of
reaching the taxpayers in all parts Of
Virginia, While they may not be willing
s to attend public meetings, they read the
spapers, and the surest way of bring
ing bfeore them the subject Of educa-
ton is through the press. Indeed, one
reason why men do not take the. same In
terest in,public speaking that they once
took is that they have fallen into the
habit of reading the newspapers, and they.
get, through that medium. much Of the
information that they formerly received
from the mouth Of public speakers.
The last census reports show that in
1880 the aggregate circulation per issue
or newspapers and periodicals In the
United States was, i'll round numbers, 30
0oo,ooo.. In 1890 the number had increased
TO 69.oDo,DDo, and In 1900 to 11i,00D,6GO. The
number to-day Is doubtless lo000o,0O0. or
1liereabouts. In 1880 the aggregate num-
her Of publications issued in the United
States was. in round numbers 1000 10000,
! In 1890 1T had Increased TO 400 10000, and
{ in 1900 10 s,l6s ,obo,oo9. i
In 1860 theie were, in the United States
only sS7 daily newspapers, with a total
4 circulation per issue of about one and
a half million. In 1900 there were 2,22G
daily newspapers, with u total circulation
OF more than l5,cWoN. 1t is safe to say
that the circulation of the daily news
papers of the United States is to-day in
the ncighborhood OF 2o,0Oo.oO.
In 1860 there were 3.lI3 weekly news.
papers, with Il total circulation OF 100000
circulation of nearly 100000. There has
also been an enormous increase in the
number Of monthly publications.
Here are practical hints for the friends
Of education--for school superintendent.
teachers and promoters. There should be
public meetings; there should be cduca-
!. tsonal rallies as often as practicable and
The promoters of education should be
promptly on hand 10 address tho people
and urge upon them the imporance--nay,
tho necessity-of educating their Children
But the press should be made the hand
maiden OF the public school system. The
friends OF education should lose no OPP
portunity TO give publicity through the
public press TO the cause they represent.
il is through This medium thar the people
may be impressed that public sentiment
may be aroused, and 1T will not do to
leave IL all to the editors themselves.
They are willing to do their part, but
outsiders should contribute brief pointed
4 communications as many us the news
papers can conveniently carry, and espe-
c.Aliy should they advertise as frequently
as possible what the schools are doing
And the progress Of educational move
ments. There is.no newspaper worthy OF
the namo that viii nor give space ID such
publications 4 hint 10 the wise should
L- sufficient
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