Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-12-07

hASu uCSOA obiOh VI hOhN'i
positive proof that the person is de
voting his best energies 10 the edu
cational progress and prosperity o
the State.
UNITED PATRIOTIC EFFORT.
My friends, whenever the super
visors, counciImen and trustees al
unite in a patriotic effort to i'm.
prove our public schools, then We
will have ample funds wisely spent
and the schools of this State will
be infused with new vigor and life
and the day will not be far distant
when our public schools will rival
those of any State in this Union.
IL this harmony Of action, this
union of purpose, can be secured,
this meeting will have accomplish
ed it's aims, and we will see the ed
ucational skies of Virginia tinted
by the light of a new rising sun
which, as it ascends to its noontide
splendor, will send sunshine and
happiness to the highest and hum
blest homes in the commonwealth
The last session of the General
Assembly Of Virginia did more for
the public schools end enacted more
FAVORABLE legislation than had been
accomplished during the twenty
previous years. In the future this
will be known as the
great educational Legislature, and
its members will recall with pride
their support of the various meas
ures which gave new stimulus to
our public educational system and
the commencement of all
improvement, which we propose
shall continue until public schools
Of Virginia chall be unsurpassed,
HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY.
Three-fourths of our yeople live
N the country, and must depend
upon the rural schools for educa-
lion. These schools must be i'm.
proved must be given higher and
more thorough courses if we are
aver to possess great educational
,levation of the masses of our peo-
Die. Recognizing this necessity,
he last General Assembly respond.
Il to tIeir needs and made an appr. .
,riation for the creation Of high
schools in all the counties of this
State. The securement of the
State appropriation has been made
dependent upon an equal amount
being provided the school from
,ther sources. Opportunity is now
given to have splendid high schools
throughout the State. Already 149
nigh schools have been created I'm.
Ter this act. The rural committees
are generously responding to the
aid, and the time seems
10 be approaching when the chill
aren in the country can obtain an
education or equip themselves for
college equal to those in the cities.
hope those communities which
have not done so will avail them
selves of this act, for | want every
section of this Commonwealth to
have opportunity to give its chill
lren such an education as will pre-
pare them to discharge the duties
IF citizenship and the responsible
les of life. If this present appro-
,riation is insufficient, favor the
next General Assembly increasing
t until this purpose can be accom-.
)lished.
LONGER TERMS MUST CONE.
But the greatest evils that have
lfflcted the public schools Of Vir-
yinia for years have been the short
less of the school term and the low
alaries paid the teachers. The
chool terms are entirely too short.
This works greatly to the disad-
'antage alike of pupil and teacher.
The pupils cannot haye that
ally and continuous increase in
;nowlege and growth in menta
aculties, which are so necessary to
EDUCATIONAL development. Free
uently pupils forget during the
ong vacation the knowlege acquir.
d during the short session. The
hort terms make it impossible to
,et for these schools the best pro.
essioual teachers. Persons of ell
rgy ."'and requirement will not
naka on oaoements which olive FIVE