Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-19

onstrate the demand for these schools
Let We saw that when the bill was first
introduced. there were but seFeh'!
four high schools in the state: now
there are three nundred and twenty
8y, an increase under the provls'
ions OF this bill OF two hundred and
fifty enc esd in three years.
Agricultural Training.
I'm this connection | desire to say
that | favor the favor the establish
ment in every properly equipped high
school in the country. OF a department
Of agriculture aind manual traihihs'
The primary as we'll as tn" high
schools have greatly advanced dur
ing the last four years. And Iii" III
creased facilities for training the
teachers have made il possible for an
advance of standard which our school
authorities have not been slow 10
grasp, but which they have so con-
serya,ively managed as not to shock
the school system. and TINS ADVANCE
ucn, Of the standard will be contlh'
u..d until the public schools OF |it-
giria will be second 10 none in Inc
United States, although some of them
occupy dcscrvedly high rank.
Available School Fund.
The total fund available for School
purpose for 1905 Was upward OF three
and one half millions CT dollars.
am glad to able % say that from the
! report OF the state superintendent OF
schools there has been an increase
of school attendance, some increase
in the length OF the school year. ou'
none as much tuerc sh ould and Will
be-: the salaries of the teachers have
been increased and there has been 4
! great improvement, not only IN the
efficiency but in the equipment OF
schools Of every grade.
Opposes Compulsory Education.
Under our constitution the Legls
,ature can pass a law for tn" compul-
~ education of children from eight
to twelve years of age; under eight
and over twelve 1t is powerleSS TO en-
force attendance upon cur schools
| do not fayCr compulsory education
AS there are too many questions IN
VOWED in 1t which l think the parents
| of the children themselves should de-
! eide. But vo'ed and worked Tor
the improvements | have named. and
| am willing to let those who have
charge of our schools say whether
! have net been their faithful and zeal
| Gus friend. If elected Governor.
| will continue to give much of my best
| thought and much Of my best efforts
! to the cause of education. The chill
dren OF Virginia are worthy Of every
thing We can do for them. The
fathers have established high stan
| dard give our children a chance and
| We will net have cause to complain
! that the honor and traditions Of the
old Commonwealth are not safe in
! their hands.
Colleges and University.
! There is another thought while
on this subject. am deeply interest.
ed not only in the colleges, but in the
normal schools established and to be
established tor the education Of our
girls They have responded splen'
| didly % the advantages offered them
a, Farmvillc. and theft influence on
the public school system OF the state
compensates many times-for the money
s,ent on that schc@l Now the normal
| school at HarrisonbuIg is about 20
become great educational factor,
and offer facilities to our young ladies
in section of Virginia. not very well
covered by the school at Farmville.
| For years have desired thai
some action be taken by our Legis-
lature which will enable the Univer.
sitv of Virginia to make such provis-
ion as will Put it in easy reach o.
| the children of men Of moderate
means. Its additional endowment re
Gently received through the intelli
gent and untiring efforts Of these in
1 charge of this great institution. may
be q step in that direct Il. While
l cannot at this time suggest what
! should be done. | will. II elected gov
ernor. cooperate with those in control
Of the university in endcavoring 70
make it completely fulfill its part IL
the public school system OF the state
! Regarding Coed Roads
! In 1905 the following was PAR
OF my platform:
The time has come in the history
of the State when good public roads
have become a necessity. The PEG
4 pie are tired CT mere announce
men,s favoring good roads and de
1 mand a settled and definite policy
which will give them highways. I'M
pressed with the importance OF This
subject. favor a general law Tor tn.
opening. changing and closing G: pub