The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-05-04

lame OF every school and college In
he State; in the name Of those high
interests which 1t Is your mission to
Ierve; in behalf Of the people OF our
State, and especially in behalf Of the
people Of our capital city, welcome
rou, ladies and gentlemen, to South
Carolina
At the conclusion Of the Governors
,ddress of welcome, the annual ad-
lress of Mr.. Robert C. Ogden, presi-
lent of the conference, was delivered.
PRESIDENT OGDEN'S ADDRESS
In the opening Mr.. Ogden spoke at
iome length Of the objects and history
,f the conference. Although this con-
'erence, he said. has no education body
II authority, it yet has a very deep
community Of interest with the South
I'm Educational Board, the General
Education Board, and in lesser de-
;ree with the board Of trustees OF the
Peabody fund, and the board Of trus-
ees of the Slater fund. These several
boards are so thoroughly co-ordinated
ind sympathetic that every facility
created by any is at the command or
Zach and the commonage Of aim Is so
perfect that waste by duplication or
competition is impossible. The work
If these boards and funds having been
briefly dealt with, the speaker spoke
# what had been accomplished. 1t is
he leadership of the child that We fol-
ow here, he said, inspiring this great
company more than curiosity. possible
entertainment or social fellowship-is
he interest of the child. And 1t 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, we'll informed and
solitary sd Ills were brooding over the
needy cs(hitions Of certain localities
with wi Ich experience has made them
painfully familiar. And with the per-
,eption Of need was associated con-
scious helplessness and vague, indef-
mite hopefulness, or was this condi-
lion of mind solely confined to the iso-
lated and obscure? Men Of large pub
lie affairs, women socially prominent.
were both equally anxious and sadly
doubtful. Here voice had been
raised, there little local effort had
oeen started. and beyond this the pro-
phets were beginning both persuasion
and provision. Then followed the
awakening Of the earnest and anxious
thinkers. A strength Of association
was promptly created. Symptoms OF
many sorts indicated the educational
epiphany that has commanded the ad-
miration and respect of educators
throughout the land. the encourage
nent of progressive citizens, the in
terest Of statesmen. Certain facts
may be briefly outlined.
PROGRESS OF LOCAL TAXATION.
Local taxation for education has
made great progress, notably In Ala
bama, South Carolina, North Carolina
and Tennessee The constitution Of
the State Of Georgia has been so
amended as to facilitate local taxation
for schools. The increase Of public
appropriations both through States
and the local tax. for education. has
aggregated many millions Of dollars.
New school houses by hundreds, per-
maps thousands, have replaced others
that were lacking in comfort, space
and equipment. Hundreds Of made
luate schools have been consolidated
and transportation has been supplied
to scholars that have been incommod
ed by the changed conditions. School
terms have been greatly heightened,
the qualifications Of teachers i'm.
proved, and compensation increased
to meet the longer term and better
service.
Laws against nepotism in education
lave been passed and thus beginning
has been made in the removal Of a
corrupt and debasing influence upon
education. This is an incident in the
divorce Of public education from poll
tics-an end most devoutly to be de-
sired. Perhaps the most encouraging
single element Of progress is found in
the formation of local and State or
ganizations Of citizens and educators
tor the promotion Of public interest ir.
education. In the cities Of Virginia
large audiences of the best people
have been assembled by the commits
SION to wait upon the teachings 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 ser
vice. Such meetings have been held
elsewhere with success and power.
But Virginias leadership Is exception
al in persistence and thoroughness.
No doubtful curiosity of suspicion
turks in the background; no academic
seclusion, no intellectual superiority.
60 clustered exclusiveness now d.
yides higher from popular education IN
the South.
Other prominent educators made
splendid addresses. The meeting was
an eminent success in every particu.
lar
Second Days Session.
The second days session Of the
great educational conference was
marked by exceptionally strong ad
dresses by notable speakers.
At the Superintendent Conference
the State Superintendents of the fol
lowing States were present: South
Carolina. North Carolina, Georgia
Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Ar.
kansas. Each of these spoke on diff.
ferent phases Of the recent progress
of education in the Southern States
Columbia, S. c., Specialize Con-
ference for Education in the South
closed its sessions here Friday, and the
conference adjourned subject to the
call o. the executive committee.
At the morning session Of the confer