Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1905-02-25
1ASS.nEETINdS
IN TlAY.
By DR.. S. c. Mitchell, Professor In
Richmond College.

BY DR.. S. c. Mitchell, Professor In
Richmond College.
Noteworthy was the meeting OF the
Co-Operatlve Education Commission
in Richmond on February 18th, look
ing forward TO plans for State wide
campaign next May In the interest OF
the country common school. Among
those present were Gov. A. j. MOD
tague, Acknowledgement W. a. And
erson, Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, Mr.
John @. Freeman, DR.. Robert Frazer
Hon. Lunsford L. Lewis, Mr.. j A.
Lewis, Mr.. ]. A. McGilvray, Hon.
Eppa Hunton, Major James d Doo-
lev. Mr.. W. s. Copeland, DIR. F. W
Boatwright, Mr.. Frank p Brent,and
others. The finance committee will
undertake to raise $4,000 for use In
making this May campaign for edu
cation. many OF those present at this
meeting subscribing literally to the
fund.
THE MAY CAMPAIGN
As vet the work OF the Co opera
tive Commission has effected chleny
the centres aud certain groups OF
commemorative citizens. 1t Is now
proposed to carry this question OF the
necessity of better schools to the
country districts. The strength OF
Virginia is in the farm. Our best as
set is the country child. The enrich
ment of rural Virginia means the ad-
vancement of the entirety OF the
States interests. The object OF the
May campaign is, therefore, to make
a strong appeal to the country peo'
ME for the improvement OF the COM
mon school. Neither p litics nor the
advancement of any particular In
stitutiou of learning will enter into
this campaign. No collection will De
taken at the meetings. 1t Is desire
that meetings shall be held in every
comfy. and as far as possible. IN
every community in the State. These
might be, in many cases, all day
meetings in the country, with dinner
on the grounds; having one speaker
in the morning and another In the
afternoon. So vast an enterprise
must assume the regularity OF war;
fare and engpnder all the ardor OF a
political campaign. The list OF speak
ers includes many OF the foremost
men in Virginia, statesmen, publ
cists. educators and ministers. with
such men as speakers and with so
vital an issue as public educationi
the coming May will be a veritaole
field day for Virginia.
Abundant evidence of the desire OF
the people to make the schools more
effective was disclosed at this con
ference. There is a growing public
pride in the schools, and a healthful
sentiment to make them better Thlt
is not surprising, when the gravity
of the interests involved ia consider
ed. The public school property In
the state is valued at above foul
million dollars. The annual expen'
diture for support exceeds two mill
lion dollars. Less than one-fourth
Of this amount ia rai'ed by county
and district school taxes. Only abou
one.half of the children Of school age
are enrolled in the public schools
Children in attendance are In school
on an average, about FIVE and one
| half months IF the year (5A In and 81
nut). Allowing, as we gladly do. TO
the excellent work being done b!
numerous private schools. we ye'
submit that the above statement Il
sufficient to make every citizen o
Virginia active in the work OF advan
cling our public schools.
i PROGRAM OF PURPOSES
| 1. A nine months school for ever,
child.
/ 2. Abigh school within REASONABLY
distance of every child.
2. Well trained teachers for ever.
school.
/ d. Efficient supervision Of schools
/ s. The promotion of libraries AM
correlation OF public libraries AM
public schools.
| 8. The consolidation of schools.
Il 7. The reinforcement Of superin
tendents and teachers by the pat
rons.
| 8. The improvement OF school
houses and grounds.
| 9. The organization Of a citizens
education association in every coun
T ty and city.
| The program of this movement
dem ocratic; its end is patriotic; an
j, its Or ogrsm is elastic. Appreciatin
profoundly what the people of Vii
glnia have done, the Commissio
stands, not for criticism, but sympa
thetic construction. We cordial
, solicit the aid of the secular press, a
, institutions of higher learning, an
f all school agencies, both local an
general, in a hearty effort to rail-
the whole citizenship of our Com
monwealth to the advancement
universal education.