Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-01-22
EDUCATIONAL MEETING IN
RICHMOND

RICH MOND
An important educational meet
ing was held at the Jefferson last
Friday night in Richmond, which
was attended by prominent edu
Gators from various parts of the
State, among the humber being
DIR. George H. Denny, president OF
Washington and Lee University,
and Col. Edward w. Nichols, act
ing superintendent of the Virginia
Military Institute.
Many important subjects were
presented, but the discussions
turned largely upon the extension
of high schools and the legislation
in regard to compulsory education,
Every phase of the subject was
treated with the one view that
general conditions may be bettered,
ard that from time to time in
novations may be made which will
eventually led to an ideal plan for
the education for every child In
the State regardless of bis race,
color or station in life.
In reporting the meeting this
Times Dispstch had the following
to cay of the Lexington speakers:
"Colonel Nichols of the Virginia
Military Institute, characterized
the schools of different grades az
communities, in which each child
dwelt as u citizen, where it's char
acter is formed, where it becomes
subject to influences almost as
strong as those of the home, and
where not only an education is Sc
cured, but future lite Is formulated.
He heartily commends the meas
ures introduced in the present
Legislature by Senator A. E.
Strobe of Amherst, and went on
to show the good that could he
accomplished in rural districts by
the establishment of high schools
and the consequent formation Of
these communities. Illustrating
his point by simple matthew atieal
formula, he went into a short dis
cussion of how children should be
taught. Each pupil, he said,
should receive his instruction from
tie heart of his teacher, and nc
matter how little knowledge he is
capable of assimilating, be sure
that he gets that"
"Atter few preliminary re
nc arks in the course of which he
highly comp'inented Surerinten-
dent Eggleston, speaking of him
as the commander ln-chief of the
States edccatior al forces, DR..
George II. Denny, president of
Washington and Lee Uhiversity,
vent into the suject of needed
egislatiCp. ,
"These needs he divided under
i've ret Dis. 4 he first is the dem
nd fora large appropriation for
he primary schools, and is enc of !
he most important. Here it is {
hat the masses are brought to-
.ether and where mental sincerity
g found here the characters of i
he future citizens of the State u
get their primary shaping and
can be more necessary I
han that they be started night. t
second, ard upon this the former +
depends, is the need for additional 8
formal schools in which may be Il
rained the young women who are t
O give the instruction. The t
peaker complimeuted highly the n
rork accomplished by the normal t
ehool now in operation, but thought /
hat others are needed, The high n
cbocls should be mere in mum Ger O
nd higher in point of efficiency.
his is of the greatest Importance
n preparing men for college. y Y
here should be high schools in n
very county and the course shculd I
over for years. Education in 81
,osa echools should he com Dulsorv. v
ast ard by no means the least ii
.orthy of consideration is tine i'm Il
arta5ce OF strict and close super ;
ision. 2
Turning to Senators STROBE S
nd King who are both placing 81
duca tIonal bills before the Lcgis- Is
.ture, DR.. Denny congratulated
hem in the name of Washington II
nd Lee, of which they are ii
Iumni." In