The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-28

eational life. Many years ago much was begun by sheib, Boyd. and others. while much has recently been accomplished by such men as Heard. Alderman, Boyd, Caldwell Keeny. Taylor, billiard, Ste phens and scores of high school men and women who have responded to every call made upon them for the advance ment of public education in the state But we are conscious today, as never be- fore, of a mighty potential energy ready for expression. The hearts of our peo- pie have been stirred and their minds so quckened and illumined that they will not rest until good things have been done for the education of their children, and better still, the people are not begging for help, they are ready to do their full duty whenever that duty is made plain to them.
 Women's Clubs.
 "One of the newest and mightiest forces in our educational work is the Federation of Womens clubs The last meeting in November was a notable one. Several scholarships were created for girls In the highest institutions of the state, and the federation pledged itself unreservedly to the cause of public edu- cation, and 1 believe that the voice of the women in Louisiana is soon to be heard in no uncertain terms for better schools and school houses for the chil- dren.
 With these forces moving the major fly of our people, and with Governor Elect Blanchard pledged to the cause of liberal public education man who has 1t in his heart to give the children of Louisiana the best educational conditions that money and energy and talent can create. can you wonder that the depart ment of education enters upon its work of ppp Cnn a h ure of success!
 The Future.
 You have, no doubt, already foreseen some of the things we hope to do. The department through the institute board, Is arranging to hold a one-week teachers institute in every parish of the state between June and October 1. The insti- tutes will be conducted by a corps or trained school workers, including the state superintendent Of educatlon' sever al parish superintendents' professors from the universities and industrial schools. teachers from the state normal school, principals of high schools and several institute specialists from other states
 .'The state superintendent will direct the work of all the institutes and Will attend each one in person for at least one day of the week. With five or six
  time 1t is confidently expected to reach the entire state within three months Such a campaign for better schools Will not only give powerful impetus to the work in those parishes and communities where educational forces are already ae- tive. but will serve to awaken interest and stimulate effort in the sections { where there has hitherto been little ad- [ vancement.
 Campaign for Schools.
 '"This work is a preparation for a larg- CT and more comprehensive campaign TOT good schools. In a word, we hope to divide the whole state into school dis tricts and in every district we want, not a lot but an acre or more of land on which shall be erected a comfortable school house equipped with modern 1ur- niture and beautified in an artistic man ner so that for eight months in the year the souls of the children may be lifted toward the true dignity of life and living, Tn this school house we want not keep CTS but teachers, who live ana love anu feel and think and move, whose master touch reveals to the child it's kinshlp with divinity and leads 1t to become more like the divine To supervise the work of these teachers we want one who Is not hired because he is cheap, but man who is paid for his services because he is an expert at superVislon' one who is especially fitted for the difficult task of inspiring and supervising the schools
 ''ro secure these results we hceo money. But behind the getting of money there must be educational sentiment' feeling of need on the part of the people. We are creating the sentiment and we will get the money With the money, we will build the schools, and from the schools will come the privileges or oe- mocracy and the opportunities or uniNeIo u CT col edncation Then indeed, will the n1blie school in Louisiana be the center of life and hope and love.