The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-27

anxious thinkers. A strength Of 1850
citation was promptly created. symp-;
toms OF many sorts indicated the edu-
cational epiphany that has commanded
tho admiration and respect OF educa-
tors throughout the land, the encourage. \
mcnt OF progressive citizens, the Interest
OF statesmen. Certain facts &, may be
briefly outlined. Local taxation for edu-
cation has made great progress, notably
In Alabama, South Carolina, North Car
olina and Tennessee. The constitution OF
the State OF Georgia has been SO amended
as to facilitate local taxation for
schools. Tho increase OF public appro-
priations both through States and the
local tax, for cducati ton. has aggregated
many millions OF dollars.
Great Progress Made.
New school houses, hundreds. perhaps
Thousands have replaced others that were
lacking in comfort, space and equipment,
Hundreds OF inadequate schools have
been consolidated and transportatio ton has
been supplied to- scholars that have been
incommoded by the changed conditions
School terms have been greatly length
encd, tho qualifications Of teachers I'm.
proved and compensation increased to
meet the longer term and better service
Laws against nepotism in educatonal
patronage have been passed and thus q
beginning has been made In the removal
OF q corrupt and debasing influence upon
educati lion. This 81 Is an Incident in tho
divorce OF public education from polt-,
tics, an end most devoutly to be desired.
Perhaps the most encouraging single
element OF progress Is found In the for.
nation OF local and State organizations
OF citizens and educators for the pro-,
motion of public interest in education. In
the cities OF Virginia large audiences OF
the best people have been assembled by
the commission to wait upon the teach
Sings OF men whose souls are awake to the
needs OF the children and whose tongues
have been touched with the holy fire
from the altar OF public service. Suc..
meetings have been held elsewhere with
success and power. But Yirginia's lead
ership is exceptional in persistence and
thoroughness. No doubtful curiosity Of
suspicion turks In the background; no
academic seclusion, no intellectual, SUI
periorlty, no Scloistered exclusiveness now
divides higher from popular education In
the South. III
asserted itself and the new ideals of
material for the university Of the future
Will increasingly be tho product OF tic
public high school and the world de-
mand will be for men in ordinary voca-
tons whose actions will be based upon
thought Thus, on either hand The univer-
sity takes toll from progress and the 20 p
ular claim made upon college and uni
verslty Is right nobly recognized. II the
story OF these States In matters OF edu-
cation during the last four years could
be written in detail and read In the
perspective of former years, it would have
the charm Of romance or fniryland. But
the undone margin is SO great that even
at the present rate Of progress long years
must pass before even an approximate
ideal Is reached. The task OF giving to
every child In this land. American or
foreign. born. a good English education,
and the enactment and enforcement OF
compulsory education laws. must be full
filled. It Is not within the proper scope
of this discussion to propose reply to
the question thus raised. The issue is
imminent. In the cause represented here
q group OF statesmen are enlisted, and
to them is committed the preparation
of some feasible. Just and righteous plan
that will meet popular endorsement.
Dr.. Denny Speaks.
~ No next speaker WIS DC,G Jenny
president Of Washington and Lee. which
institution, he said with pride. had n
part In the founding Of this conference
Mr.. Denhy's subject was a Southern
Interpretation of the Conference" and
he referred to the various criticisms
which have been made by certain daily
newspapers In the South. He said,
among other things, that among the
critics OF the conference and its motives
Ioro +, 49, NO nth live In thu
| past tense OF the5subjunctive mode, and
1.-THE man who would stir the ashes Of
mn ancient feud, ! and who would dig up
| the bones of the dead past. DR.. Denny
| discussed the personnel OF the conference,
| expressing the belief that If the char
acter of the men and women composing
| 1t is high, then 1t cannot be had. He
paid high tribute to the men OF the
| South and the men of the North who
compose 1t, referring to Governors OF
| States and patriotic private citizens,
| heads OF great universities and humble
school teachers, clergymen of many
communions, Statesmen Of all parties,
physicians. lawycls, bankers, planners,
merchants, editors and authors, repre-.
sentatives Of the head, the heart and
| the hand of the country united IN Q
great cause and serving great deal, =
From what ever point of VIEW, no
|ssaid, In closing. this conference Is toh-
sidered, MI. President, 1t is worthy Of
tho sympathy and appreciation Of
lsthoughtful, patriotic men, and can sec
lno0 ground for2 difference between
Northern and Southern interpretation
of It's mission and Its destiny. For y
ne stands approved and Justified by the
logic Of tho three tests which we ma W
acndeayored to apply, tests by which we
\ Judge the value Of all human agencies
1 ana human Institutions, 1t must and =
will stand approved and justified In any
i and every fair judgment based upon
authentic facts, whether that Judgment