Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-05-06

ciudcd 500 libraries. Two thousand l
and FIVE hundred OF our teachers lasi
year attended summer schools in order !
10 better equip themselves for their /
great work. II viii require no prophet /
my friends. to predict that should We
be again so fortunate within the next
few years as 60 welcome YOU within
the confines OF this State. your eyes
viii behold vast Improvement in oui
educational ard industrial affairs.
Pardon me for this apparent digres
sion. which I hope viii prove 20 yCJ
the interest We feel in you and in youi
work. Let me give you some added
welcome 10 our State and TO our cap
ital city. In the uamc of the greai
ause which brings you here. in ths
tame OF every school and college in
he state; in the name OF those high
interests which IL Is your mission 20
crve: in behalf OF the people OF our
state. and especially In behalf OF tho
,eople OF our capital city. I welcome
on. ladies and gentlemen. TO South
,arolina.'
At the conclusion OF the Governors
.ddrcss OF welcome. the annual ad-
ress Of Mr. Robert C. Ogden. presi-
ent OF the conference. was delivered.
PRESIDENT OGDEN'S ADDRESS
In the opening Mr. ogden spoke at
ONE length OF the objects and history
& the conference. Although this con-
erence he said. has no education body
z authority. Il yet has a very deep
Ommunity Of interest with the South
IN Educational Board. the General
Education Board. and in a lesser de-
rec with the board OF trustees II the
Peabody fund. and the board OF trus-
ees of the Slater fund. These several
d Efnn ri D. a inn
nd sympathetic that every facility
reated by any Is at the command OF
'ach and the commonage OF aim is so
perfect that waste by duplication OF
competition is impossible. The work
4 these boards and funds having been
irieny dealt with. the speaker spoke
II what had been accomplished. II is
I he leadership Of the child that we fol
ow here. ne said. inspiring this great
company more than curiosity possible
ntertainment or social fellcwship-is
/ he interest OF the child. And II was
ust the preparation OF this pervasive
influence that awaited the advent OF
he new movement for education which
vas unfOlded in the triple alliance OF
he conference and the two boards.
This movement came at the psyche
/ Ogical moment Throughout this
Southland. isolated and lonely. many
able. thoughtful. well informed and
solitary souls were brooding over the
leedy conditions OF certain localities
With which experience has made them
painfully familiar And with the per
,eption OF need was associated a con-
icious helplessncss and vague. indef-
mite hOpefulness. or was this cOndi-
ion OF mind solely confined 10 the isO-
ated and OBSCURE Men OF large pub
ic affairs. women socially prominent
we're both equally anxious and sadly
doubtful. Here voice had been
'aiscd. there a little local effort had
)een started. and beyond this the pro
, 1hets were beginning both persuasion
md provision. Then followed the
weakening OF the earnest and anxious
, thinkers A strength OF association
: vas promptly created. symptoms o
, many sorts indicated the educauona
epiphany that has commanded the ad
miration and respect OF educator
? throughout the land the encourage
, nent OF progressive citizens. the In
= .erest OF statesmen. Certain fact
, nay be briefly outlined.
, PROGRESS OF LOCAL TAXATION
81 Local taxation for education ha
r made great progress notably In Ala
4 5ama South Carolina. North Carolina
{ and Tennessee. The constitution o
r The State OF Georgia has been s.
. amended as 10 facilitate local taxatio
q 1or schools. The increase OF publ
n appropriations both through State
d and the local tax. for education. ha
5 aggregated many millions OF dollar.
70 New school houses by hundreds. pc
e aaps thousands. have replaced other
that were lacking in comfort, spac
I and equipment. Hundreds OF made
S luate schools have been consolidate
e and transportation has been supple
3. 20 scholars that have been incommo,
e I'd by the changed conditions. SchoS
e terms have been greatly lengthene,
, he qualifications OF teachers in
l. proved. and compensation increase
h % meet the longer term and bette
d service.
, Laws against nepotism in educatio
q have been passed and thus a beginnin
81 has been made in the removal OF
n corrupt and debasing influence upC
Is education. This is an incident in tf
q divorce OF public education from po
ucs-an end most devOutly 20 be d
sired. Perhaps the most encOuragir
\ single element OF progress is found
The formation OF local and State @
CARNATIONS OF citizens and educate
TOT the promotion or public interest
sc education In the cities OF Virgin
e. large audiences of the best peon
az have been assembled by the commi
'e son 10 wait upon the teachings
et men whose souls arc awake 10 Il
Ut needs OF the children and who
- tongues have been touched with u
lie holy fire from the altar OF public 81
vice. Such meetings have been he
OF elsewhere with success and pows
D Rut Nirginia's leadership is CxceptiC
he al in persistence and thoroughness.
20 No doubtful curiosity OF SUSPECT,
Do inrl,s In the hacll r.rniLn1. No annhnr.