The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-29
FOSTER ADDRESSES
 THE ASSOCIATION Reviews Growth of Alabama Educational Organization THE REGENT LEGISLATION Criticses Present Plan of Dividing the Work of Higher Education In the State In Separate
 Communities.

lowing address was delivered this after noon by President James II. Foster to the annual meeting of l Alabama Edu- cational association:
 Fellow Members of the Association, Ladies and Gentlemen:
 In formally announcing that the twenty si- In convention ol the Alabama Educa- tio.-,l association is now in session, II IS mJ purpose to make tho association the ce;isrel theme of what l shall say. Many considerations have determined me to thij course. The first association was begun about fifty years ago, almost at the same time that one of the many H. 1ustrous soL4s of this Queen City Of the Gulf began his noble effort in behalf or a system of public education in our state The times, too, demand that we, Who are now witnesses of the first real op- portunity to create out of somewhat cha otic conditions, a well articulated sys- them of public education, should study well the safer way amid straits full o1 TO ss and hidden reefs, that we may shout our friendly warning to the sturdy pilot at the wheel and take hand at the lusty oar when adverse winds assaii and the seas roll high.
 I therefore, request your patient in- diligence to a discussion of this subject under the following topics:
 1. Historical References.
 2. Legislation Recently Recommended.
 B. Phases of School Economies.
 1. New Policies Submitted.
 Historical References.
 Of the ante -bellum association, I have beSn able to ascertain but little. It's first meeting was held, so my information goes, in 1855 Under it's auspices was edit ed a paper, The Alabama Educational Journal, the editor of which was chosen by the association. Beginning at the timeA he did, we may with tolerab1e cer- tainty, infer that it's great work was directed toward building up a system of public education in Alabama. This deduc- ton is emphasized by the fact that Gen. eral Perry, our first superintendent, who for four years devoted his every energy to the difficIlt task of organizing the state for public o1ucation, was an ac- tive and interested member of the as- sociatlon. There remain living today only two, according to my information, who wer members then-two venerable men, yet stalwart in mind-men whose virtues have crowned them with many honors, and whose good rks will follow after them, pr. William Stokes Wyman and Dr. Noah K. Davis, two names whose very naming brings to the eyes of thou sands who have nnown them, tears Of ateful and affectonate recollections. and swels those hearts witt involuntary benedictions. We, of this latter day as- sociation, should ask these worthy and distinguished educators to accept hon. orary membership with us for life.
 Dr. Davis, at one time the chosen editor of the Journal asove referred to. His at tainments in the field of letters is suf- ficient predicate of the valuable work he did in this capacity.
 This early association was swallowed up in the vortex of the sos.
 Its Reorganization
 Reorganization was undertaken in 1871. The first meeting was in July of that year. and was largely attended. It was short-lived having held only two or three sessions. The times were not pro- pitious. Amalgamation of interest in any field was slow to follow in the shadow of a dsintegratio. which for so long threatened the very political existence of the southern state.
 Organized again in 1882, the horizon of it's usefulness has widened. and it's influence has ramilled the entire educa- tional fabric of our state.
 -n the school room, in the institutes. in the popular ear, and in the legisla- tive halls, it's messages are being heard and it's influences felt for educational progress. It has been privy councillor to the state superintendent and his vice. Se-dnI III Ine ldT anu pdtitit tiihi OL ncv school enactments,
 Initial legislation. striking away from long established precedent, generally finds 4 opposition among hose who are directly affected by it. The voice of the asso- citation has ever been raised in favor of making patient test of such meas ures, and its decirio., has ever been ac corded the respect which waits on the juo gment of just and impartial referee.
 Such was the attitude it assumed with reference to the teachers examination al.d the uniform text book laws, both of which swinging away from time-honored methods, created strenuous protests on the part of those most directly concerned. The result has been that these beneficial enactments have steadily won favor in tie fact of prejudicial opposition, and h-ve so masterfully unfettered the feet of educational progress that public sen timent is no longer hostile
 Another great service which you, through this organization have rendered the state-I say the state, because the destiny of any state Is bound up in it's schools-has been the presentation at your annual meetings of eloquent and devoted educators of our sister states, whose fervid appeals have stirred us to noble activity.
 pr. Charles D. McIver.
 Who can forget that high ambassador, That missionary, prophet. successful cap tain of education, Dr. Charles D. McIver? We who heard him went back to our work with re-enkindled zeal, and took up our burdens with a lighter, more hopeful heart. His impassioned words. declaring that, when we consider the potentialities of the children of our southland silver and gold become as sordid gross and taxation for education one of our highest privileges, went ringing over the hills and valleys the spreading prairies and the throbNing industrial centers and the school tax has become fixed policy in Alabama. Peace to the ashes of this great, this truly philanthropic man. He sleeps, after an untainted life, but he vet lives and long shall live in the work
 to which he so faithfully dedicated him. seil. Let this association reverently honor his memory.
 Recent Legislation.
 Under the auspices of the association was gathered last July at the university a notable assembly of teachers and friends of education. Through this conference 1t was wished to unify the forces in the advocacy of measures before the legisla- ture-since convened and now in recess.
 It soon developed that the participants in this meeting were largely in accord as to the subjects which should be consid- cred, but often at variance as to the treatment There was, however, remark able difference shown to well founded argument and the reports of carefully selected committees were adopted with practical unanimity
 It is not my wis. to trespass either on your patience or on the report which ~iIl be made by our library or legisla tion committed or on the field to be occupied bv the able address of our worthy super tnteudent, out respectfully ask your in