The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-22

fessors, members of our city govern ments. These, added to the efforts of the librarians, seem to promise well for the organization which looks to the culture and education and eleva- tion of the people of Alabama"
 The address of welcome, by Phares Coleman, President of the Montgomery Library Association, extended the hearty wishes of the people of Mont gomery to the visitors. He declared that In this age new premium has been placed on education. He lauded the well-rounded education which could be made possible by the organization and operation of the Association about to be launched The organization of the Association he regarded as an epoch maker in the history of the State.
 After praising the heroic efforts of the few champions of high literature to uplift humanity in this work-a-day world of today, Mir. Coleman made a brief statement of the operations of the Carnegie Library with which he Is closely associated In Montgomery. There are 6,0DO volumes in the alcoves of this library, which he regarded as not such a great showing in itself but very creditable when the expenses att tached to the institution were con sidered. The library circulated during the month of July 4,291 books. There are registered 2,s05 members of the library who are thus privileged to draw out books. The total circulation of books from the library between May 24 and November 4, was 22,0S1.
 Dr. J. H. Phillips, President of the
 Birmingham Public School Library, made the response to the welcome of Mir Coleman.
 Dr. Phillips began with a sentiment of thanks to Dr. owen for calling so successful a meeting and the silent work performed by him in the system atic preparation of the program. He foresees great benefits to be derived from the Association whose members are now pioneers of movement which, like the discovery of America by Co., lunIbus, will bes;ow fullest benedic- tions on future generations.
 Dr. Phillips emphasized the appro- priate choice of Montgomery as a meet ing place, both on account of the his l toric associations clinging to this city and because the Carnegie Library here l is the first edihce devoted to q library | in the history of the State. The speak CT recognized the newspaper as an es- sontial phase of life. a mirror of the times, and deplored that statistics show that 25 per cent. only of the popula- ton of the United States peruse the da!lies. He cautioned his hearers to have wholesome reading matter placed in the libraries of the State and con- cluded with an appeal for a movement Of such propositions as would reach to the rural schools.
 Addressed by BIr. Hill. Superintendent I. W. Hill of the State ! uag aH..l-. A. sneaker He addressed the meeting on Libraries and the Public Schools" MT. HiH reviewed the growth of ed- ucation in Alabama and the history of the public school system from the be- ginning. He declared that the public school had come to stay that through 1t the masses of the State citizenship must be educated.
 "AIabama." he said. "by legal enact mont has pledged herself to keep the portals of the temple of education wide open. Her excuse for this is that she demands ot the keepers of the temple -her school oflcials-that they train her boys and girls for citizenship; de- velop in them love of country; lead them to respect law, truth and justice, and aid them to become worthy and self-supporting citizens.
 The herculean task imposed by the State upon her school officials can read fly be seen by the thoughtful mind, and I fear owing to the limited funds avail able for securing the desired results. 1t will be many years before an ideal condition can be reached. This, how ever should not deter the earnest, conscientious board member, superin- tendent or teacher from complying as nearly as possible with the demands of the State. He should do well whatever his hands find to do.' and plan to con trol future conditions. There is no ex- cuse save the indifference of our citi- zenship for conditions which obtain too frequently in Alabama at this time. Where there is a will. there Is a way and the State has a right to demand that her boys and girls be taught how to read, to write good English, knowl- edge of the fundamental principles of mathematics necessary to business sue cess, a knowledge of the earth as the home of man, and a knowledge of the fundamental principles of natural sci- ence."
 For Country Schools.
 Continuing. Mir. Hill elaborated his ideas of the character of educational training essential to success. He showed the proneness of people In Ala