The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-07
RICHMOND 1904

rather TO ascertain the weakest spots III
our system and bend all our energies to-
ward strengthening our rural schools.
II think our motto we'll might be: =
little child shalt lead them.
Review Of Work.
Secretary McGilvray's report was listens
ed to with the closest attention, and II
gave splendid review OF tho past work
OF the commission, making some excel
lent suggestions as Ia future possibilities
together with a resume of the great un-
dertakings which the organization has
launched to defeat illitcrncy and Iguo-
rance.
Mr.. McGilvray said In part:
Tho fundamental principal that under
lies all efforts OF the commission Is
systematic cooperation with constituted
authorities Of the schools. Affinity Of In
terest brought us together; singeness OF
purpose has unified lis. Let It's again re-
solve that by individual expression, as
we'll as by concerted effort, We VIII
strengthen tho golden thread Of
sympathy that Binds together al the
forces that nro making for tho l1Gher
life Of the Commonwealth.
"The latest statute governing the co,iil-
ty and district lcvies for school pur-
poses fixes the minimum rate at seven
Is cents on the $500 for both objects This
provision for minimum local school tax
alton is distinct stop forward. The
maximum Is, under the State law, IN.
creased to so cents, another gain. OF the
95 counties reporting levies made for
the school year 1ooi-'05. IS have in
creased their evies. In several others
the board Of supervisors are committed
to an increase ofrIncxt year Eighty
a,lar3 In,
thirteen report the minimum. The re-
cords show that the local aprpopriat ton
for the support Of the city and town
schools are In most Instances keeping
pace will, the demands, including new
school houses. etc.
Consolidation.
..The consolidation OF schools is a Very
important matter. In 1903, rs stated in
the report OF the superintendent Of Pub
lie Instruction, not only was the tend
ency to multiply schools arrested. but ~
schools were discontinued In consequence
Of consolidation Reports for 1904 show
that schools We're consolidated In Al
counties and the total number Of schools
discontinued was S175. Plans have been
perfected ina number OF counties for
on larger scale.
Regarding the promotion OF libraries.
would say that in 1903, the public school
libraries OF the State contained $500
volumes, and that in 1904 the reports
show that the number, with five counties
not included, to have increased to 32,4St
of which 5000 are in the rural schools
and 1917 in city schools. Many teach
ers and pupils are charging the use
fitness of the library system by the in-&
PRODUCTION OF travelling libraries,a a fca-
ture destined to become an important
factor in the educational life Of the
State.
Thank Newspapers.
II wish to extend my leartest thanks
10 the newspapers of the State for the
splendid aid they have given us In our
work, and particularly to MIR, Copeland.
editor Of The Richmond Times Dispa tell.
who has responded to every call We have
made upon him, ably. cheerfully and i'll
telligently."
Secretary McGilvary, at the close OF
his report offered the following sugges-s
tions for the consideration Of the con-
vention:
"The appointment Of n committee to
raise fund for a campaign Of voice and
pen on behalf Of the commtsion's cduca
ton system.
''The appointment, OF a dozen or more
field workers whose concentrated pegson-
ality is suro to- bring wonderful results
for good.
"The appointment OF a standing com
mlttee on membership whose duty It will
be to remind the people that the Or
ganization is democratic and not aris-
tocratlc and assure everybody that they
are welcome.
Afternoon Session.
DR. Robert Frazier opened the after
noon session with some timely remarks
in e..
counted briefly what had been done by
the commission during the past year. de-
cIarinS that while the work was pro,
crossing we'll ell over the State as a gem
eral thing, there were some portions OF
the old Dominion yet unnxplored, as i
were, and that it Is the purpose OF the
TO reach out into the dark
corners.
DR.. Frazier laid especial stress upor'
the necessity OF competent and Intelligent
supervision.
Superintendent Frank r. West, OF
Louisa called the attention of tho CON-
mission 10 the wonderful worksthe wo-
men Of his county have done. and urged
tho organization to take greater interest
in the welfare of the children.
MY experience In Louisa he SAID rs
that you cannot expect any too much
help from the men. for nearly everything
We have accomplished ~ the cause o.
public education has come from the ear
nest joint efforts OF the women and chit
t.ren.'
Mrs. I. b. Munford, president Of thc
Virginia Educational Association OF ltlcl'
mond, and Miss Parker, principal of the
branch of the H'chinollu
public school system, reported unon 'lln
Of their organization toward NC
OF, children too small ior me
primary grades From Il group OF oll'y
ten enthusiastic kindergarten teachers
and members Interested III the work, INC
liz Richmond has developed
within four years into an organization Of
fiye hundred members, They declared the
branch, which has been
into the Rchnond pupnc
school system, has accomplished some
splendid results.
Manual Training.
The Vnlne OF Manual Training u tne
Public Schools was the theme or Pr.
II, II, E'rizzell, OF the Hampton lnstl.u.o,
. ,,r,, tcnfyl1, the negro do honest