The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-28
TRAINING IN SOUTH
IPR0F. JOHNSON TALKS OF EDUCA-
 TIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
Miasinnippi Educator Discusses Indug- trial Schooling. CO-Eduention. College Ahheletcs ana Other Matters Of C0ucerm to
 Teachers.

That industrial education in the South ia one of the greatest factors ln the development of the Southern states. nsaa and has ro Sns so s'a s of the Department of Physics at the unIyer- sity of Mississippi. who came to Mont, Romery yesterday to attend tne annual While not detracting from the value of inc older and more scholastic clas- sical training. which heretofore has oe- rupied the greater attention among the colleges not only of the south, put or all colieAes in eeyry section oI the liever In the value of industrial train- iDg as well. Yesterday in the lobby or the Exchange Hotel. Professor Johnson two classes of education which are at tracting the attention of educators the country over. He also touched in his which shH Ob is being s adopted to q greater de- gree In the colleges of the South than heretofore. and said some things about the importance and influences or ath- le'ics in the colleges. In his interview. he saiS'
 "The most rrominent tonic now hs- fore HIS. is:---.what kind of Education. among the many types offered, is best suited to our Southern needsY We have strong advocates for the humantties, claiming that politics and elegant learn- ing Is natural and most becoming to inc typical southern youth. Orhers who admit the above. claim that the time utility must be met, if we wish to keen our Southland abreast of the times, In the onward march ot civilization. FneH" South, and ana need matSrial sVI wealth and and industrial developments Of our natural resources; that these can be more etti-
 ng oSr aaa sap rs aons pfse
 tical lines They further claim that just as good disc binary and cultural values are secured by practical studies as hy classical. that 1t requ.res as mucn raining and culture to write a age, or read a page of the engineers draw ings and plans on something real, as sics on something mythical.
 The one Is fact, the other is fiction. The one appeals to the considerate swirt-winged lmag nation of the poet and orator. The one suits the bread winners in the struggle for life; the ing to leadership among men. The one insn'res the man who, by his will-
 ower. determines to achieve, greatness; greatnes thrust upon him. The one points to the developments of science as the most potent agents m the .ox- traordinary advancement of civiliza- ton during the past one hundred and fifty years; the other points. to the learning of sages. authors and states men as the bulwarks of humanity from struggling toward manhood not yet visible in the distance; the other se old age locking with a dtRnified sn,ilt. ambition. The one is a speculative phit- oso her confident in his theories and proud of his achievements: the other a past. and irrunovabie in his do9unas for the future The one boldly plun~es into the frontier and unsroddeu wilderness Of science; where he Is sometimes lost never deviates frofa the weli-heaten rath, and can always nrove h'E bear inc bv fine footnrints of thousands who of the one are so new and startling that they bafsle credulity; of the other, they are so venerable and imposing, that they are accepted without quesnOt.
 '6s to which is the stronger of these two great educational parties, no one IS often called the party of dollal $, the other Of sense. We wish to take care of both--the dollars aud senss--
 How IS the free elective system in colleges developing? Lake other sinno- vatlous, fl rsquIres tlniS tO determine its trend and goal It has advantages fience In casting up It's de6it. and It's credit side. The tempation oe young, immature students to take what comes easy to them is harmful. They often take too much of one topic, thus mar rowing their course, or take combif- ations, which--though each topic may be good in itself--makes an unproht, able assortment. This IS already cans- ing courses in implied science to re- turn to regular prescribed courses. Civ il Engineering. Electrical Engineering, etc, must have prescribed work, both in quality and quantity or failure Is in- evitable. However, with a large ma iority of students who have not set tied uron any plan for llfe's work, the elective system seems to be a popular convenience. The student feels and re- cognizs his obligation to do good work when the course IS his own choosing. The instructor. too, Is stimulated to do his best for those who confidently come under his instruction as a free choice. The elective system brings greater responsibility upon parents and teachers to and and advise students In making up their courses.
 "It enables a larger number to grad nate and with less mental effort, than the close college course. The risk Is that seholarshiD may be weakened in intensity more than broadened in scone.
 "Csenerai approval of co-edueation in State universities is being questioned; at least bv a very respectable nlinor- ftv As an experiment. it has lost It's novelty: and fin it's every dav working 1t develops facts revealing friction. as well hopes crowned with triumuh
 within the bounds and limits Of natures design 1t seems a fact that woman's mind is equal to mans, but