The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-01
School as Exponent Of Democracy

HHHtU f4. 90 ~ fEH<E tHvra E.fL f ts.H1ftI
addresses delivered before the Teach
ers' Conference In Roanoke the past
week was that OF Professor Mitchell
on Tuesday night. He said,
1.-THE chief business OF constructive
politics is to make sure of the future
through the training of the young and
the end of modern government, accord-i
ing to aArecent remark OF an eminent
publicist. In n democracy like ours.
education becomes the. foremost task
of enlightened craftsmanship. AS the
people have. to pass Judgment upon all;
matters. however vast mi vital. the
necessity of training them for this,
cordingly. we are coming to have a
changed notion OF the meaning of the
school and the function of the State.
Government used to mean a mon
arch, courtiers and warriors. diplo.
home-,something of splendor hat
i.dazzled from afar the eyes of man
kind: But to-day the State Is absorbed
I'm the life OF the p%eople-their work
equal share In all advantages. Espe-
sially rs this the sphere of a Com
monwealth in our Union. Virginia
courts. She, has no navy. There is
nothing at Richmond that smacks of
the regal. On the contrary, our State
government is irving to improve the
farms. make good roads. open the
mines. protect the oyster. Industry.
\ quicken manufactures. Insure social
order. care for the helpless and train.
the young. Politics has become do
Emestic, social and Identical with The
I! welfare of the masses.
| Now. among these .homelv tasks of
q modern government; under democracy
none is superior to the training of
youth. Education is really the biggest
H. I'M sf,laoS " trt ~ a I'm - x,~ - L. - y L.,
appears from the fact that the State
spends more money on the schools
than on any other one interest. and
Employs more peop!e as teachers than
schools lis the biggest item in yir-
ginia's budget. Whether or not 1T be
true that the Federal power is en-
%croaching, upon the sphere Of the
/ wealth Is localizing its activities and
/. setting Its WI house in order. This is
= happy a.sury. We nave been made
tics? Our public men are becoming
again shepherds of the people.
The Progress OF Education In virginia,
Tile progress which Virginia has
made IT,, nea during the last two
tory of the State. The strides are sucl,
as to thrill the heart. Time would
fail one to recount all the advances.
The people are aroused. fine school
Il Ddti0tuSS diS IiSIHs III Ill parts OF the
State; the terms are lengthcning: sal
Il aries of teachers Increased: better SUI
pervision' given: richer courses of
studNsaintroduced; local taxes voted. In
where a%bounding enthusiasm, display
ing itself in constructive power. Two
Years ago Virginia had 10 public
high schools, last year 154, and now
s sosc,a .,l reXoln.ion; It. Is g, splendid
ing themselves with strength in their
firm resolve to give a chance to every
shiid. FiNe Years ago no one could
lave dreamed of tie progress now
registered: And this convention. in
spite of the plans that press for fur.
'Itaer growth must seize a holy hour
! which to pause and make grateful
worker IN this common cause--to ths
editor, to the preacher. to the states.
man. to; teachers and school officials;
indeed. to every citizen. who has de
terests OF u rscbildren. Gratefully do
we sthinktof the brave men who stormed
the heights OF sGettysburs; but no whit
less patriotic and praiseworthy have
Eheen the great army of workers who
have toilsd .ceaselessly in this State
in behalf of popular enlightenment
A civic crown rests upon tho head OF
eNe~v one of them.
Efficiency Is the End of Education.
"Silch display of a peoples energy
hut wl,en you consider the poble%pur,
nose which has animated our S%cltiyars
In imprny'ng the! schools. t'Settrseffnrts
comp1and the highest admiration For
II lns lis crusade thew are seeking, not
privilegesS for a class q the hapri-
ness nf the individual alone. hut tie
esnecially the emancirations OF the
commandment. After all, is not the
Icomrnon mar the great assetgtof de
%mnrracN? The sirspiratinns Of a de.
mncracv#ca carve long ESQ tn, q n%sarnstle
lNnoni the honSeton at Ionpa: God has
shaved me that should coll no man
common.'
wv have 8rreat social and economic
I'll ta sES to perform. md Memo. the 9un-