The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-04-10


 turs from Picksns county. spoke on Local Taxation" at the main oenvsn- ton this morning.
 He began by saying that we cannot expect more and more from the nation al government. We cannot expect moro aid from the State but must look to ourselves. Most of the iiliteracy of the South Is found in the rural districts. Every township should be . municipal ity, andNas in the city have the power to tax its people for the maintenance of their schools. Money expended for education is not given to charity but
 H. J. willinsham, of Montxomery, Secretary of the State Board of Exam iners. spoke on more efncient teaching force:
 Mir. w1Ilinghan Speaks.
 Said he: Through the efforts of the organized teachers of Alabama. much higher standard of eficfency in the teacher has been obtained in late years. The tendency of the times Is onward In education. The operation of the examination law has been a great fac- tor in raising the standard in the last ten years.
 "The work, of teaching should bs made as attractive as possible to get the best men and women to engage in the profession. While some do 1t for love of the work, permanent consid- eration should ',e offered. Salaries high enough to guarantee competency dur ing the productive years and a balance for support in latter life will get the best men and women in the profession. Dr. H. O. Murfee. Superintendent of the Marion Military Institute, who was to speak could not be present.
 Mrs. Mary &. Woolmap of New York. Professor of Domestic Arts of versity and directress of the Manhat- tan Trade School for girls. was in the hall and was asked to make . talk. She held the attention of the audience for more than half an hour, and gave the teachers many points that will be bens eicial to members of the association.
 The remainder of the morning pro- gram was devoted to improved Rural Schools." discussed by Mrs. Erwin Craighead of Mobile. and Miss Kath- leen Mallory of Selma. The Physical Improvement of the Child" was very ably handled. by pr. R. NJ. Cunning ham.J former Lieutenant-G of Alabama.
 z Address By Mrs. Craighead.
 Mrs. Erwin craighead. of Mobile. spoke on the school as a social center.
 She urged that the teachers look to the social life of the school. Tn the smaller towns the library of the school should be the social center" said Mrs. craighead. ''It Is the duty of the teacher to interest the parents and all the prominent citizens. of the small town in the life of the school and all its social, events. The whole population should be interested in the sopIal life of the Rchools"
 Miss Kathleen Mallory, of Selma, talked on the equipment and decora- tion. She urged the Importance of good equipment and decorations are necessary for the conduct of fhraI schools.
 Proper decorations" she said, Are almost as necessary to the work of the school children as the tools to . workm an." 1s
 pr. R. M. Cunningham made very interesting talk on the Physical Im- provement of the Child" He treated the subject of heredity and inviron- ment as some length and showed the effect of the two on the child.
 Certain potencies," said he. are in- herlted and act constructively or dis tructively upon the new being"
 An invironment cannot create an element. Prope rinvlronment." said pr. Cunningnam, VIII Stregthen a strong potency. A poor iuvironment will weaken or break down weak tendency.
 By the school age most of the in- herent potencies have been developed and is les ssub1ect to invironment and a good estimate of the child may be made.
 "The child himself as a whole should be studied by the teacher. Ills physi- cal being. frame. weight. respiration, should be investigated. Next comes the important study of the mind and tenn perament bv the teacher"
 The social feature of the convention took place tonight when a reception was held at the Country Club.
 The. election of officers for the en- suing year will take place in the morning and the selection of the next t,na tpo If ad