Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-12-07
ECHOES OF EDUCATION.

EChUES Uf EDUCATlUN.
On our first page we publish the ad-
dress Ex-Governor Swanson at the State
Educational rally in Richmond last week.
In leading editorial, highly eulogistic
of the Governor, the Times-Dispatch
says, among other things, Governor
Swanson talked plain common sense last
night to the members of the Education
Conference. 1t was a speech from the
heart as well as from the head, and
ought to be an inspiration and stimulus
to all who heard it. The Governor urged
the necessity of having the right men
for superintendent and trustees. The
trustees should be men of discretion,
who put the public interest above per-
sonal interest; who locate the schools
to suit the public convenience, not their
own convenience; who select teachers
according to merit, and not to give some
worthy, but incompetent, person a
means of livelihood. Governor Swanson
received his primary education in the
public schools of Pittsylvania and was
afterwards teacher in the county, so
that he is in position to give advice. 1t
is good for the State and for the cause
that we have a Governor who knows
from experience the needs of the schools
and who is so thoroughly in sympathy
with the work. He is valuable aequisi-
ton to the list of educational Gov
errors.
Among other striking things the
Governor said are the following:
1.-The county superintendent of Vir-
ginia is the key to the educational situa-
ton in this State. When we throw
away that key we lock the door of edu-
cational progress. All of us are familiar
with the chief criticism that is some
times heard, to the effect that our
superintendent are of little value. 1t
is true that we have few superinten-
dents who, / am sorry to say, are not
only not doing good work, but are
hampering the growth of the schools in
their communities.
CHOSE entrusted with the selection
of division superintendent and trustees
can render an inestimable service to the
cause of education if they will appoint
only the best and most worthy men to
these important Offices"
MANY of our present schoolhouses
are disgrace to the State. One of
our most urgent needs is better school
houses. Opportunity is now given for
every community to secure these
The greatest evils that have afflicted
the public schools of Virginia for years
have been the shortness of the school
terms and the low salaries paid the
teachers. Every school in this State
should run at least seven months in the
year. The pay of the teachers should
be increased. For the work done, the
responsibility imposed, the capacity
required, the school teachers of Vir-
ginia are the poorest paid persons in
the State. 1t is folly to spend thousands
of dollars in the erection of handsome
building, to be occupied by worthless
teachers.
Referring to Governor Swanson's ad-
dress, Mr.. Eggleston said that soon
after his elevation to the governorship
Mr.. Swanson said to him that he desired
to see the day, and to see it soon, when
every child in the State should have ade-
quate opportunities to educate himself,
and that if his administration did not
go into our history as one memorable
on account of educational growth, he
would consider it a failure. What he
especially emphasized was that his heart
went out to the country boys and
country girls. / say in all sincerity
that since his inauguration he has shown
his sincerity by exhibiting wisdom, an
ability, an earnestness and an evident
love for the cause of education that has
made him an invaluable counsellor in
the efforts to advance this cause and to
bring unit, which will rebound to the
betterment of every child and youth in
the State.
q. g. Joynes, superintendent Of Ac-
comac, was elected President of the
organization.
Among those present from this Sec
ton wereJ. VIM. Chowning, supervisor,
and DR.. F. w. Lewis, superintendent.
of Lancaster; and E. c. Perciful, trustee,
of Middlesex; E. H. Russell, district
supervisor.