Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-07-26
SPLENDID PRO-
GRESS In SCHOOLS.
tBy Claude A. Swanson, Governor.

Inc frlendS or education have every
cause to congratulate themselves upon
the splendid progress that has been
made in the public schools of this State
since the adjournment of the last Gen
era Assembly of Virginia. The last
General Assembly did more for the
cause of education than has been done
in the State for the last decade. In
every direction its splendid work can be
seen and the benefit of its legislation
felt 1t increased the special appro-
priation for the schools from $500, 600
to 100000. This has enabled the
school authorities to increase the sal
aries of teachers and to lengthen the
school term. This has occurred gem
orally in the State, but not to as large
a degree as is desired.
The utilization of the literary fund
for the erection of schoolhouses has
caused the construction of many splendid
schoolhouses in the State. The work
in this direction is wonderful. The
amount of money appropriated for high
schools has been splendidly utilized,
and LAG fine high schools have been
organized since the adjournment of the
General Assembly. There has also
been marked improvement in school
equipment, in the course of study and
general interest manifested in school
work and education. Many of the local
authorities have generously responded
TO the increase given by the State and
increased the local taxes, with bene-
ficial results. The progress made in
the schools of Virginia since the last
session of the General Assembly has
far exceeded the expectations of the
most sanguine, and furnishes great en-
couragement for the future. 1 favor
the next General Assembly increasing
the special appropriation for schools,
so as to further enable the salaries of
teachers to be increased and the terms
of schools heightened. This is the
great need of the State. Our schools
cannot be efficient and do the work
desired until every school is equipped
with the best teacher, and to secure
these sufficient salaries must be paid.
1t is also important that the facilities
for the education of teachers in normal
work should be increased, so as to fur
nish the State a sufficient number of
trained and well-equipped teachers. The
facilities for libraries in the schools
should also be increased, so that the
children, even in the remote sections of
the country, can be supplied with good,
instructive books. Further encourage
ment should also be given to the erec-
ton of commodious, well-ventilated and
attractive schoolhouses. also favor
by the next General Assembly the
creation of an efficient, we'll paid Board
Of Health to teach hygiene and the laws
Of health to the teachers and the chill
dren of the State. This should be made
a special part of our school system.
If the General Assembly which meets
here in January will advance further
the splendid work inaugurated by the
last General Assembly the success of
the schools of Virginia is assured, and
it will not be many years before Vir-
ginia WILDE possessed of one of the best
systems of education of any State in
the Union. The increased facilities has
not been confined to the primary schools,
but our colleges have been strengthened
and show great evidence of prosperity.
The friends of education in Virginia
are all working in perfect harmony,
enthused, and will continued their ef-
forts for the betterment of our school
system. Whatever the State does it
should do thoroughly and as well, if not
better, than all others. Hence favor
continuous and rapid improvement of
our schools and colleges until they
completely fulfil the demands that are
to be made upon them and all the needs
of education. believe the next Cen
eral Assembly of Virginia will be as
generous, if not more so, to the cause
Of education than the last one. The
increased school facilities and advan-
tages in Virginia will result in contri-
buting greatly to her material progress
and prosperity. The first inquiry made
by desirable immigrants who contem-
plate settling in a new country is as to
the educational advantages possessed
in the community. find the improved
schools of Virginia greatly aiding in
bringing to us desirable immigrants,
and also enhancing the value of farm
lands in the communities where good
school advantages exist. / feel sure
that the next General Assembly of Vir~
ginia will be as marked as the last one
IN giving striking impetus to the