New-York tribune., 1911-04-20
EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH
President Robert C. Ogden Opens
Conference at Jacksonville.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS
Objects of American Education
Swiss Minister Discusses Pros
perity in His Country.

Jacksonville, Fla. April I9.-The four
teenth Conference for Education IN the
South opened here TO-DAY with we'll known
educators from all parts OF tho United
States and several foreign countries I'm at
tendance The feature OF to-day's session
was the annual address of President Rob
ert G. Ogden. Of New York After EXPRESS
ing his qualification at the progress made
in the last year and reiterating the OBJ
jects Of the conference. Mr.. ogden said, IN
part:
our great universities and colleges.
which are the crown or our American
civilization, are worthy OF the nlshes,
honor and most profound respect. but tne
true democratic idea IS not 20 lhhuens'
society downward from the top Dut up
ward from the bottom We nave us
covered that education Is liie-the most
abundant life. We are beginning to de-
nne education AS implying the training
imposed by the social and industrial neeus
Of the community and are asserting ttae
the special capacities anu the prospe,Ii he
Wage~earning occupation OF the pupiI oe
carefully considered in the training tot
lie given in the school thus creat!ns
larger efficiency for the person anu
greater prosperity for the state.
Broader Wow Coming.
There is also coming a broader view Oh
the phianthropic ideal in education We
cent legislation IN the seVerai states tsiIus .s
toward the protection OF chhnfeh lioi,' I,'
injury and needless severity, compulsory
attendance at school and proper SANTA
tion. Public opinion is going oeyohd tne
law and is insisting upon more gene
Gus supply OF school books anu materlais,
medical inspection. the segregation OK the
morally and physically defective as 90
jects for special care. the Improvement II. ~,
training. pay and qualifications OF
teachers Allow me to give few. par
ticulars concerning single one OF ule
foregoing points that comes 10 me as
member of the Sage Foundation Tor the
Bctterment OF Living. II is from tne
and concerns what American cities are
doing for the health Of school chlldren'
Ii Is an investigation Of I5s cities IN re
lation 20 the care Of school buildings. tnelr
cleanliness and ventilation. the pnS sud.
condition Of the pupils. | spare you par
ticulars-they are easily accessible 10 any
desiring them. | only mention TINS as an
illustration Of progressive public opinion
upon all questions Of the public schools
We are but Just beginning 70 realize tna'
public schools are public trust
II Il be said that these simple sugges-
tions are fanciful 7 would ask you TO go
with me a single step further In an IN
quiry as to the great objects Of America n
education. II | understand them they
are.
First-To uplift the common life.
Second-To cultivate and minister 10
Third-To develop and Increase the
economic value Of the community through
intelligent industry and wisely organized
commerce
A Message Of Hope.
Ny annual message is one of courage
and Of hope. Never since We began our
work have these annual meetings marked
a backward step. We are one out or
rnanv Influences working toward a com
mon end contributing as we can oy
definite work and the creation Of a living
spirit hy bringing into fellowship kindred
souls with common educational aims. by
holding out the symnathetic hand 70 all
brothers and sisters i'm the faith OF rep
resentative government and IN the vel
fare Of the people, seeking for the brotner-
hood Of man and the fatherhood ~ tod.
The special points that 7 desire 70 make
are:
First-An appreciation of the beauty.
the dignity. the responsibility Of the in
diyidual. the y. as an incentive FOR a
constantly enlarging service. This for the
principle
Second supervision. thorough and com
plete as the means for educational prog
ress This for the method.
The first the seed the second the flower
Of a plant constantly growing toward
perfection.
What education can do for the CONNER
cial prosperity of a country was the sub
ject discussed by DR. Paul Ritter minister
from Switzerland TO this country. He
used Switzerland as an illustration.
Switzerland supports population OF
S.70o.O1O. although In size Is less than one
third as large as the State OF Florida. the
minister declared. attributing the general
prosperity which prevailed throughout his
country 70 the wide diffusion OF education.