The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-08


 have sound it out. attribute large part o1 this defect to an overeroWoiss n, ass of our courses of study. I cannot as sert that the boys and girls or quaaa ter of a century ago were more Pr1n cient in these bed roek s essensias mt nsefui- ness as an observer; but l do induige the hope that the next ,twenty-nve years will sho wmarked nn improW1sehoff nomrsn of study be enriched as much as you please but let it not be done at snn,nx tne sx and accurate arithmetic.
 Public Sentiment.
 Public sentiment OH the subject or most unanimous desire on the part of our adult population that their chii, dren be given better advantages and than those which obtained when they themselves were children. Let the peo- pie but know what they should do to stand ready to do their part. If evil dence were needed ill support of this statement 1t is amply furnished Tn those counties which have voted upon inc question of the 10-cent tax for schools provided in the new Constltu tion.
 to the work directed by the Depart. ment of Education here in this capital is due most of the credit for this heal thy public sentiment in favor or better
 The unceasing efforts of our superin- tendent of Education were kept up un- til tired nature rebelled and sent him to the hospital for repairs.
 The Education Boards.
 The work of the Southern ana or the should be placed well up on the roll of honor These boards through their agents have waged a vigorous cam
 But while the work of these educa- tion boards has been helpful it did not come exactly in the way many people when the boards were organized.
 called in this city by pr. Butterick, which was said to have millions gen erously provided by philanthropists in the North to be used in upbuilding ed the hall was crowded with college presidents, county superintendents and principals of schools. Fac hone was ex- how much money he needed in his work and how it was intended to be used. Many of. them carried small hand-grips and the others wore coats with deep pockets in them. Front seats commanded a premium and the heavy 1eathern satchel resting, beside the popular Dr. Butterick was the very centre of attraction. was at the meeting with blanks carefully filled ac- cording to directions. The late arri- vals at that meeting kept up con to reach the front. Their eager. ex- pectant look together with their noisy demonstrations reminded me of "Pri- vate" John Aliens story of the bowling dog which refused to be comforted.
 The distinguished ex-Congressman says that one of his favorite dogs set up a howl and kept 1t up till his own patience was exhausted and, calling one of the farm hands he gave instruc- tions that the dog be taken out and killed. The old negro protested. He tna faA hal Eh not be killed. especially in view of the fact, as he said. that there wasn't much the matter with him. In answer to an ter with the dog, the old negro said. Course knows whats de matter wid him. Whenever you hears dog a. howlin' and a-moanin' and a-takin' on dat a way, 1t cause he smells sompin' and can't locate It."
 When that immense grip was opened by Dr. Butterick revealing nothing but leaves"-circulars and pamphlets-the look on the faces of those expectant ones was truly study. These boards have done good in awakening public sentiment to a better appreciation of our needs. our responsibilities and our opportunities. They havo shown us how easy 1t would be and how sublime ly beautiful 1t would be for the South to help through local taxation. But If much real cash has been distributed among the white schools those who got if have kept excedinglv quiet about it.
 That Tired Feeling.
 In this connection I may be excused for expressing the hope that our edu- cational conditions will. ere long. take on a roseate hue sufficient to ward off that tired feeling superinduced by constant reference to our lowly posi- fion when compared with the States of the North and of the East. untii our Southern country was devastated by these same progressive and lovable spirits who descended upon us from the North. ours was the section looked to for the production of the highest type of culture and for the representatives of the most lofty ideals in the structure and in the maintenance of our national government. But for the last forty years our Southern men and women have been called upon to meet and to solve the most gigantic problems which ever confronted a free people. In this undertaking they have not always had the friendly cooperation of other sec tions of our Union. The national laws of commerce have not always been drafted to meet the special needs of the South In truth. it Is A well recoEniz- cd fact that the national reservoir at Washington. kept full by It's exactions from all the people, has. for many