Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-23
ATTORNEY GEREpAL
At NORMAL SCHOOL
Hon. Samuel W. Williams
Speaks tie Hampton Students
---Other Educators Present.
isy ". A. Arey.)

county superintendent of Virginia
were entertained at the Normal school
yesterday and were Escorted in small
groups through the buildings !. and
classes OF the Normal school. Indeed,
all the county superintendent VINO
could possibly leave their work we're
present at the Normal school.
At 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon
a conference was held in the school
museum. DR.. II. 3. Frisse,l presided.
In a few words OF Introduction he
stated that the idea of Hampton In
stitute has been to help the state or
Virginia. He expressed his satisfac-
ton at being able to meet the mel
who know what needs 10 be done TO
develop all forms of public school ac-
tivities. He stated that Hampton has
always stood for the idea or having
the negroes remain on the land, OF
having them build better homes and
perform efficient service In all occu-
pations.
Col. ]. W. Church told of his long
experience in trying TO find. before
coming to Hampton. a school VIII n
was giving the negroes the right form
of training. He said TO the superin-
tendent: "You have merely seen the
physical end OF Hampton's work-She
orderlinass and cleanliness OF thinss
You have not yet seen the intangipie
spirit of Hampton--a spirit which Is
here for a world movement In re-
ferring to the Halifax county plan
for the practical education of negroes,
Colonel Church stated that the pres
ent idea is to take the young negro
child and, besides teaching him read
ing, arithmetic. geography and civil
government instruct him in some
thing which will make him a gain to
the community. He emphasized the
importance OF securing statistics from
each county which would show what
the greatest needs are. The aim Isl
10 make Of the negroes seif-re3pecting
and respectable citizens.
Mr.. Jackson Davis. state supervisor
of colored schools, briefly described
the excellent work which is now be-
ing done in four counties of Virginia
by supervising teachers. who go into
negro schools and instruct the young
people how to make useful articles
for the home-aprons. buttonholes,
shuck mats and baskets. He said that
the supervising teachers are simply
community workers who help the peo-
pie TO do the Ordinary things of life
better than they have ever done them
before .l..- .s-.-s ~
Judge Samuel w. Williams, attorney
general of Virginia and member OF
the state board of education, declared
that he had been mistaken in thinking
the Hampton Institute turned out stu
dents who became prOpagandists OF
social equality He said: Il do not
now believe that the effect OF Hamp-
tons training will offend Southern
ideals" Then he made a plea for
taking Industrial education home tol
the poor boy and recommended that
to the work of the ten agricultural
schools in virginia there be added q
mechanical feature, % better still,
that in each of the ten congressional
districts there be created a mecnani-
cSi college which shall bring indus
vital education to the common people.
He argued that IL the people were
given good teachers and schools that
they would respond 10 the call for
free schools. He declared that there
could be no good free public school
system with Iow-salaried teachers and
short school terms.
Mr.. Charles <. Maphis, of Rich
mond, one of the four state exam!n-
ers. said that the expenditures =
state funds fer school purposes
only be JUSTIFIED when they make u9f-
| ter state citizens. Then he defined
the term. best citizen" as one Who
| Is able to support himself and his
| family as well as to contribute to the
development of the community and
1.-THE state: one Nho is strong In body.
not q menace TO his neighbor: one
who knows how - dc something web
and profitablv. He expressed the wish
that white boys and girls could have
more Of the Hampton type Of educa-
ton.
Miss Ella C. Agnew, of BurkevflIe,
spoke briefly concerning her club
work among girls which aims to- en-
phas.ze the importance of hone-mak.
ling. Mr.. Charles t. West, OF Louisa
county. declared that the negro should
be trained along three lines-respect
lobediencesand service.
Thomas Welksr. q graduate Of
Hampton Institute. class Of SO. told
of his efforts to get an education and
Of the work that he has been doing
Ito encourage his people to improve
their homes. schools and farms.
On Monday evening Nr. Eggiesson
Ispoke as follows to the Hampton
workers end students who had Assem-
hled ia Cleveland Han chapel:
7 have made cutie q number o.
visits TO Hampton. studying your
school here. and trying 70 End out
Illus. what Hampton was driving at. be
cacee no school amounts 20 arysbins
unless u aims 10 accomplish some def
!rite thing. Now Il Is useless for me
% tell you vnat Hampton is driv
ling at
Il ss1rh. tn fnr,oaF thai r,u~ I'm