New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-14
SOUTHERN EDUCATION.
State Colleges Objects of Care of
Pinehurst Conference.
rFrOm a star Correspondent Of The Tribune

lfrom q STAN Correspondent OF The Ir1bunel
Pnehurst. ~. G. April ia candid reeog-
milton % the educational condition prevailing
sn the South to-day. and the seizure OF every avail
able moment for intensely practical suggestion Of
means for bringing the benefits OF education within
reach OF every class and condition indicate the
spirit animating the Conference for Education IN
the South IN session here this week
The absence OF Robert G Ogden, who has been
president OF the conference FOR the last ten years
s. keenly felt by al who have attended those meet
ings. DR.. s. c. Mitchell. the chairman Of the ex-
ecutive committee of the conference, in his re-
Spouse % the address Of welcome by the Governor
OF North Carolina referred 10 Mr.. ogden as one
OF the four foremost men in educational achieve
ment in America. chasing him with Horace Mann.
J. L n. Curry snd George Foster Peabody.
This place. Pinehurst. appears TO he a far more
suitable meeting place for the conference than any
of the cities where they have met before With
fewer distractions. there Is a much better oppor-
tunty for social intercourse and exchange Of views
among the members than when the delegates were
scattered about among the hotels and boarding
houses Of large town. The adoption OF more
quiet and secluded place for this years conference
has met with general approval.
It is IN this same county, too. that Charles ID.
NcTvor was born-the man who originated and car
r3ed through SIS critical period the movement by
which this state has been brought educationally
anto the front rank Of the Southern States. When
Mr.. McIvor began his campaign, North Carolina
contained larger number OF illiterates than any
Mitchell This meeting may be regarded as. in a
sense. q memorial 10 Dr.. McIvor," and this senti-
rnent was echoed in the resolutions that have just
been passed eulogizing him and the great work for
education that ne carried on.
All the addresses far delivered have laid great
stress upon the importance Of arousing interest in
education among the members OF small commun-
ties before attempting establish schools IN them.
urging that outside influence and capital. rule,
accomplish the best results when aiding schools
IL oh
they are situated.
This work OF arousing enthusiasm in education Is
the special mission OF this body. The conference,
u must be remembered. is not corporation and
any one who attends meeting is thereby mem
Der. The CHIEF duties OF the officers OF the confer
ence are 10 arrange FOR the next annual meeting
and TO select the speakers. The conference seeks
By its meetings and addresses TO arouse general
interest in educational work IN the South and TO
disseminate accurate knowledge of educational con-
The reports Of the superntendents Of education
IN fourteen Southern states given this morning
been swept by a wave Of enthusiasm for popular
education that may fairly be counted as direct
shown itself in heavier local taxation for primary
colleges ana universities, and in the founding OF
institutions whore men and women may equip
An ne stress q he conference has been laid
upon what the Southern States rather than private
Individuals religious bodies have been accomplish
ing recently for eancation ,--oa ,s a.o,,
=. = nal institutions are inclined TO complain OF
q direction which has thus been given the
may be confri6ued to to the cause Of eduas'ion
e South during the next twelve months Will
argely diverted the state supported colleges
universities. They have only praise for the
Dcratic attempt TO bring the advantages OF edu-
AzlsOn the great masses of the people. but they
call attention the fact tnat the present high
standard attained by some OF the Southern col
leess received first impulse through the medium
n an association of secular colleges formed several
years ago.
one Of the most encouraging features Of the re-
PORTS from the different parts Of the South is the
Att i0U al Is
education There has been not merely q rapid
Decrease in illiteracy in agricultural communities.
but ne farmers voting and more money
az ch election for the building and maintenance
~ schools where their children and grandchildren
may be educated They doing this Of their
own initiative and not waiting for outsiders 20
DO II for thasll.
The S0nln to-day. as represented by the large
runseE sf fits educators. who attending the con-
1ere-cs. IS beginning take of its edu-
editorial problems. and promises 10 increase the
standards OF its educational system during the
twelve months rapidly il is itself increasing
IN material wealth and prosperity.