The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-04-16

in itself, of the widest circulation
and most careful perusal by those
among whom the teachers cast their
lots. Hence we, publish it in these
columns, but with an introduction
and comments entirely our own.
Prof. Whitfield is, naturally, re-
joiced at the large increase made by
the legislature of 1904 in the appro-
priation for the public schools, over
the unprecedented appropriation Of
1902 for the same purpose, and gives
due need of praise to the wise legis-
lators who did this great thing for the
youth Of Mississippi, to the people
who created the sentiment, and to the
school work which has proven itself
worthy of it. There is one point, how
ever, WHICH the able superintendent
fails to make, and which | shall, all
unknown to him, make for him. This
is the fact that this public sentiment
which lies back of this wise and gen.
erous legislation has been created,
largely during Mr. Whitfield's admin
public's favor, the steady improve
ment in the school work, the great in
crease in appropriation, and the sat
isfaction with which most of the tax
payers hear of this increase, have a
foundation in the tireless work for
the cause of education, that has been,
and is being accomplished by Missis-
slpplS emlnently practical superin-
tendent of education, Henry L. Whit
field.
The public" is not blind nor is
it deaf, nor dumb; and had the school
work, or the department of educa-
ton fallen behind, though ever so lit
tie, that same watcnful public would
have seen and heard all about it, and
would have entered it's disapproval OF
SO much expenditure along these lines,
in clarion tones. Instead of that, the
public has fully demonstrated her
faith in this one Of her servants.
Mr.. Whitfeld's plea for better work
on the part of the teachers should be
impressed on every teacher in the
State for it is true-every word.
Our schools are not, by any means,
what they should be; nor can we hope
for improvement until the teacher I'M
proves herself and gives to her work
the best that is within her. 1t is a
hard task, as all the world knows, to
carve beautiful figures with blunt or
broken tools, no matter how beauti.
full and capable of exquisite possibili-
ties the wood may be.
It is useless for us to comment on
each of the sections of his address,
since his own words are stronger than
mine could be, but 1 can not refrain
from expressing my great surprise at
the dearth of school papers, maya
zines, or school literature of any sort,
to be found among the greater num-
Der of our teachers. 1t is absolutely
necessary to brush up our brains by
contact with others, brighter and
stronger-or at least, more expe-
rienced and better trained
Then the subject of teachers meet
ings, of some sort has troubled me
no little. In very few neighborhoods
with which / am familiar, is there
any but the most perfunctory inter
est manifested in these meetings, and
it seems to be by the hardest work
that anybody ever gets there. And
d, really, can not blame the tired
teacher who prefers a quiet day at
home, to dull dry and uninteresting
meeting, at the end of their fire
quently) long ride. OF course, there
are some splendid exceptions all
Z around us, but as a rule, our monthly
coming-together of teachers is a
mournful thing to contemplate. Dur
ing a visit to Northern Iowa about
six years ago, nothing SO impressed
me land there were many delightful
pleasures crowded into those weeks)
as the culture and "up-to-dateness,
if you will accept the expression, OF
: the Iowa public school teachers. And
their monthly meeting! Why it was
in every truth, feast of pleasant
things to teacher and visitor alike AS
for the scant attendance with which
we are familiar, it was unheard Of
since no greater deprivation could
come Sto one of them than failure to
join her co-workers at the monthly
meeting. Distance seemed to count
for naught with them, and they were
glad to spend the money requisite
More than that, there We're outsiders
unnumbered, who journeyed with
these earnest, happy, intelligent and
| enthusiastic (and there lay the secret
of success) workers.
But i am encrouching on Prof
Whitfield's space, so will not talk
about these far off meetings any more
but will leave an ADLER pen than mine
to speak to you of matters nearer
home, and of vital interest to you and
, all of us.
: Prof. WhitfieId's Address.
To the Teachers of the State:
You are doubtless aware of the fact
that the recent legislature made q
J large increase in the appropriation fol
the common schools. Two years age
, an unprecedented increase was made
, Thirty-five counties are now levying
local taxes for the purpose of extend
ing the term afforded by the State.
number of new separate school dis
tricts have been established withiT
the last two years. In some counties
the revenues for schools have in
creased over 100 per cent. Perhaps
the best indication of all is that bet
) ter public sentiment now sustains the
! teachers in their work.
If the teachers will take advantage
) of the opportunity that now is theirs
/ it will not be long before Mississippi
will have schools that can prepare hel
boys and girls for the complex duties
of this complex age; but it is for the
, teachers to do this work; the people
have done their part well. The
schools, as now organized anG
equipped, are exceedingly crude, ant
unless the largely increased appro
J. nriatiOnS for the schools result in hay
ing decidedly better schools, there vii
be a reaction in public sentiment ant
reduction in appropriations. These
!. large appropriations we're not made t.
! give teachers better salaries anC
} longer terms Of service, but to give
children opportunities to make bette
preparation for life. The children car
get these advantages only when vol
are sufficiently remunerated as tt
make it possible for you to make thaf
nTnna ration for y0Up work which III