The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-18
Prominent Speakers Point
Out Importance Of Ex-
tending School System.
COMPULSORY LAW
TO BE ADVOCATED
Under Auspices Of Rich.
nond Association Was Bril-
liant Success-Mr. Page
Wants White Teachers
for Negroes-Legis-
lation Discussed.
latioll Discussed.

y
latior Discussed.
educators and public men of The State,
the needs of Virginia from an educa-
tional viewpoint were presented to- a
great and enthusiastic audience In the
Jefferson Hotel auditorium last night
In such a way as to leave lasting
impression upon all Interested in this
vital subject. To tho Richmond Educa-
ton Association belongs the credit for
bringing together SO large number
OF prominent speakers, the notable ar
ray. coupled with the subject so ably
discussed, not falling to draw as largo
and represen altfve an audience as tho
hall could accommodate. The impor-
tant work accomplished locally by this
Organization is we'll known. and few of
the speakers of the evening" failed to
mention the fact that It's Influence ia
more and more making itself felt In
the remotest parts Of the Commons
wealth.
It was representative audience :r
ever one has been gathered together
In the city OF Richmond, people from
all Walks Of life being present. Though,
the discussions turned largely upon
he extension OF high schools and tho
LEGISLATION In regard to compulsory
education. every phase OF the subject
was treated with the one view that
general conditions may be bettered, and
that from time to time innovations may
be made which will eventually lead To
an ideal plan for the educa ton for
every child in the State regardless of
his race. color or station in life.
Manual Trimming.
The session was preside dover by the
Hon. ]. D. Eggleston. Jr., Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction, who has
manifested his enthusiasm not onIy
by the able administration of his Of
flee, but also by the great interest he
has taken in the Richmond Education
association, OF which he is one OF tho
foremost members kilograms were
read from DR.. E. A. Alderman, OF the
University OF Virginia, and DR.. p. b.
Rarringer, os the Virginia Polytechniu
Institute, expressing regret at their
in ability to attend.
DR.. T. p. Mcconnell, the first speak
er, took for his theme Manual Train.
ing and Agricultural Education In the
High Schools. He spoke OF the ira-
portance Of the farmer In this coun-
try, and described how, on account cf
the lack OF opportunities. young men
OF small means have often been un.
able to have the advantages OF an
education. a fact which only too often
teads them to think that their call
much lass respectable kind. They lose
sight Of the fact. he declared. thar
theirs is a gentleman's occupation.
and that the farm is among the few
most important institutions Of a great
country.
Education such as should be afforded
to them in the country high schools
not only enables them to conduct their
calling along the best and most eco-
/ spect their trade and to feel that they
are as much a part of the Comnon-
4 wealth as the highest public officer.
The Cn;I of the New south.
/ Along the same line Professor Bruce
Y r Payne, of the University OF Virginia,
spoke in an earnest, logical manner.
1 The South. he thinks, is llust coming
to grasp the Importance OF the exten- ten
! sion of tho high school system. The
changes In economic and social life
have been more rapid than in the field
4 OF education. The New South calls
i for the man who can do things. he
! exclaimed. 1T is not what you know.
/ but what you can do. But insorder to
be able to accomplish things the young
/ men OF Virginia must have the educa-
| ton as foundation.
the lower walks as 1t Is to the man
who teaches 1t. but the child OF small
means cannot avail himself OF Its ad-
vantages unless 1T Is placed within his
reach"
DR.. w. H. Heck, of the University 81
j Virginia, opened his address With an
analysis OF schools from the primary
) grades to the college. Give the child
4 the proper start in the lowest grade, pe
!. declared, and it will show the results
4 in tho higher grades. This he called
}, 1.-THE hablt-forming period 1t Is here
, that the child is taught what to DO
and is trained to do it. 1t is complete
course in itself. In the hlsh sehooss
: he begins to ask the why and Where-s
, fore and to reason the answers for
II himself.sGit is here that lie becomes
!, laW;lkened to the ideals of life. This ls
, also Il complete and separate educars
D ton. He goes into college as an saduss
/ with the views of n3adult. me tllne
Q will come. said DR.. Heck, when a
l. cartain amount OF education will hs
: ren,lired OF every man before he can
cyercise bis right OF suffrage. hs
q high school period the speaker firms
cd. is the most important stage, and and "
Is This period of education that makes
!, democracy.
High School System.
i The needs of extension md some In
: stances OF the things which have been
accomplished by the partial adont1on
:. of such course. In the county OF Hens
! rica we're discussed by Mr.. ohm Stew
4 art Bryan. This was OF particular In
terest, because each Of the cases which
7 AIr. Bryan cited had come under his
personal observation as school truss
!, lree of the county. AS soon as he was
elected to the otlce Mr.. Bryan, who is
a; so one OF the charter members OF the
Richmond Education Association, saw
the needs OF the high school extension,
!, and hegan Ito use all of his influence
4 in that direction. He showed the con-
8Iaition OF affairs IN .Se schools of the
), ,old regime as compared With the new
lhGethods, which are being put into ops
! GRAFTON rapidly. and explained the praer
8 tical operation of tho system. In which
. ali educators are SO greatly Interested.
I The extension Of high school wors
slthreughout the country marks. he said,