The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-15

Virginia it had developed the Co-opera- tive Education association with which the l southern eluca ton board Is in sympa- l thetic and material relation This asso- eiation," he said, has created branch or ganizations in many counties of the state, has raised money with which to carry for | ward it's own work, has vigorously pro- noted the high school idea, has issued re- 1 markable and original matter for sthe guidance of public speakers and the in- struction of the people,"
 In North Carolina, said Mr. Ogden, the commissioner of public education had been enabled to carry on a propaganda for the local tax which had brought hundreds of school districts to the uplifting idea of self help through the levying of the local school tax by popular vote. In harmony with that he said the Womens School Improvement league had made a steady advance in improving the conditions of schoolhouses, by means of decoration and various betterments, but over and above all the crowning benefit to North Caro- lima had been found in the erection of thousands of new schooIhouses, modern in design and convenient in equipment He spoke of several of these schools having plots of ground under cultivation not prl- marily for education. but fors profit Crops of cotton and hay had been raised and the school term had been heightened two or more months. '"rhis school agriculture pays and pays wel,' he said and so from an economic experience the farm ing population quickly learns the value of practical agricultural education and then the education follows"
 Work of Women.
 MT Ogden said that in South Carolina, Georgia Kentucky and Alabama the wom- en's organizations and work had been very specially powerful. The conference for education in Mississippi. he said, had been organized specially for the promo ton of the normal school idea. Each state, however, he said, had its own pe- culiar points of attractive study He asked the conference to remember that what he had said covered a story of use fui activity, devotion, patriotism and self sacrifice that was continually helping to make this land better place for life and for living
 After pointing out that agricultural ed- ucatlon was closely associated with in- dustrial education, MT Ogden said: Ed ucation is expensive, but there is nothing more wasteful than cheap education cheaply supervised and administered by ignorance in partnership with neglect What greater incongruity than to demand a teaching certificate of the lowest grade girl teacher in an elementary school and
 
 political favorites and to create local su- perntendents of men who are in perfect ignorance of teaching as a profession?" In conclusion MT. ogden maintained the view that inasmuch as our institutions of higher and lower education simply reflect the popular demand, "our efforts shonid be and are directed toward elevating the demand"
 Mitchel's Address.
 The address of Dr. Mitchell of South Carolina was received with great interest by the big crowd which was present at the conference
 universal education is a truer test of democracy than universal suffrage" he said in conclusion of his talk upon "The American Spirit in Education"
 The only sure basis of republic are the in1ustice and virtue of it's ctizen- ship. whose common will is law. The state concerns itself with the proper train Ing of its children. It has found that public taxation alone is equal to the task of enlightening the masses to which end sSO0' GOO are spent annually by this coun-, try on public education.
 The speaker stressed the importance of cooperation and a general distribution Of burdens and teaching the children citing the fact that the public school Is not free school. since the people pay for 1t as truly as the individuals who sup ". sembedy about the present movement f,1 the south Is building up community life, ne said by making effective cooperation In all forms of progressive activity and Is illustrated by the increase of modern ly equipped school houses in the least wealthy sections.
 Dr. Mitchell urged the importance of the schools teaching the people to think. holding that failure along this line is more frequent than moral delinuuency There must be trained teachers ample mechanical and laboratory equipment and personalities afame with love for child hood and truth, he said, No wonder the American spirit in education is optimfs- tic, self-reliant buoyant with hope, since it's lenergizing such moral forces in the child and the community love of peace, respect for law, sympathy for the weak, faith in truth, tolerance in opinion and reverence for humanity concluded the speaker.
 Future Policy.
 Stressing the importance of thorough articulation in every line of school work. the powers that lie in the promotion of secondary education today made public a statement outlining future policy. This follows series of meetings held Mon day Tuesday and today. incident to the conference for education in the south. They were called by Dr. Wallace But trick, secretary of the General Educa- tion Board. and Henry s. Prtchett. pres ldent of the Carnegie foundation, both of New York. Others present were:
 E. C. Sage. New York, General Edu- cation board: Abraham Flexner and John G. Bowman. New York. Carnegie founda- ton; Bruce Payne. Virginia; N. w. Wal lxer. North Carolina. w. II. Hand. South Carolina: J. $. Stewart Georgia: q. M. Lynch Florida; P. P Clayton. Tennes- see; J. J. Doster. Alabama; B. W. Tor ,1r Ir .t.. jana.
 The resolutions seek to impress the inl- portance of full school organization from primer to college diploma, effective super vision both state and county. with offi- cers free from political influences and well of .Abiph