The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-25
BIG CONVENTION
FOR EDUCATION
State Superintendent of Mis-
sisSippi Meet At Jackson
RURAL SCHOOL PROBLEM
Superintendent Powers Takes Up
School Affairs and Says Teachers
Must Be the Best--Governor
Noel Also Delivers Address.
RURAL SCHOOL PROBLEM

jackson, Miss, November 24-(Special)
More than half of the county superin-
tendents of education of the state of Mis-
sissippi are here to attend the convention
of superintendents called by the state
superintendent to discuss matters of In
terest to the school system of the state
and to recommend what they consider
legislation that is needed for the better
ment and the improvement of that sys-
i tenn.
The meeting was opened yesterday by
State Superintendent Powers, and after
few preliminary remarks he told them
that during the past two years he had
found time to visit every county in the
state, had spoken In all but two counties
and felt that he was prepared to explain
conditions generally and make recommen-
dations that meant something.
Mr.. Powers considered the rural school
problem the most important to be solved,
and in consideration OF that subject had
divided it into three distinct heads-the
trained teacher, the high school and more
money. He showed that it is short
sighted policy for the state to spend
81, $4,000 per year on its teachers unless
they can get the best, and these are to
be secured only through the training
school that has been urged on every leg
islature by state superintendents. Presi-
dents Kincannon and Whitfield, thousands
of teachers at state normals and insti-
tutes. candidates for state offices and
others who are in position to appreciate
the Importance. He cited the fact that
Tennessee made provision for state nor
NAL at the last session of her legislature,
that Wisconsin has "a such normals, and
that / my other states have provided lib
orally in this direction.
1t was explained that bill providing
for a state normal passed the senate
at the last session of the legislature, but
that 1t failed in the house for reasons
stated.
Agricultural School.
The agricultural high schools came in
for lengthy explanation, their Importance
being fully set out, and the necessity for
more money on that account urged. 1t
was suggested that the high school, or
preparatory departments. be eliminated at
spent thereon transferred to the agricul-
tural high schools. as that gets them
closer to the people and increases their
usefulness
The necessary of more money was ar
| gued, and 1t was suggested that the per
| capita be raised at least to what it was
prior to the last enumeration.
The Improvement of school buildings
was another feature of the superintend-
ent's address. He would authorize the
several counties to issue bonds for the
purpose of building and improving school
houses and then called attention to the
great work of school improvement that
is being done by Miss Susie v. Powell,
thanks to the generosity of one banker of
the state, who had given $500 to that
cause. and the county superintendent had
raised the balance of the funds that were
necessary to keep the work going till
next September.
Attention was called to the fact that in
several instances two or more counties