Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-01

Kentucky, and II. l.. Blanton Of Vlr-
ginia.
M. A. Cassidy. president Of the
Southern Educational association, In
an address, said;
The moldlng OF the masses into
good citizenship IL the only excuse
for education at public expense. No
one can deny that there has been a
marked Improvement In the ihtelli-
gence Of our citizenship, but can as
much be said for its civic righteous
neas2 A few years ago graft would
have been considered as dlshonorable
ns theft Now II is generally consid-
cred as one Of the requisites OF office.
A large number OF those who prac-
tice II have been taught, | dare not
say educated, In the common schools,
Three generations ago dishonest cleo
tons We're almost unknown, II was
then "A crime, as now, TO buy or sell
votes, but then, not as now, an honest
and patriotic public sentiment actu-
ally prevented its accomplishment"
Mr., Cassidy said schools should
mould character and In the selection
Of teachers characters should be par
amount and ability to teach should
rank next He favored higher edu-
cation for women. with equal pay for
them for equal work.
Defects IN our public school sys-
TENS are responsible for the deser-
ton OF boys OF the country for the
city, for neglect Of health and for
much Of what he termed civic un-
righteousness according to H. L.
Whitfield, president OF the Mississippi
Industrial institute and college, who
read "A paper at the convention of the
Southern Educational association
here today. His subject was, The
Need OF a New Conception of Com
mon School for the South" The
church also came in for some criti-
ism IN his paper.
While Mr. Whitfield declared he
was not a pessimist, he in effect
called for regeneration of methods
Of education in public schools as be-
ing needed to make amends for what
he termed shortcomings OF present
day methods.
Professor Whitfield asked If the
schools were making better citizens,
II high ideals prevailed, are public
officers actuated by highest motives;
is the home life all that It should he;
was not the contest between labor
and capital injuring the south, why
were the sons Of farmers leaving their
homes for urban communities in such
large numbers; what causes crime
the matter of public morals. TO all
adverse answers he had but one rem
edy, and declared:
What we so much need is not
merely the addition Of social and in
dustrial branches to the curriculum,
| but radical reorganization of the
whole school with reference to the
future home, social, Industrial and
civic life of the pupils.
I'VE of the south are lacking in
only one thing-a citizenship whose
masses have been adequately trained
to live ethically and to utilize wisely
and in fullest measure the natural
advantages with which we have been
| blessed. In other words, our pro-
gress in educational achievement, ex-
cept here and there, has not been
such as to render possible the best of
development, civic, social and eco
nomic and Industrial"
These words were spoken by John
| w, Abercrombie today at the conVen-
| q
sociation.
Recounting what he termed the
pcrVersion Of the home by demoral-
izing influences of modern social
standards, criticisms of and conten-
ton within the church, the disregard
of law; increase of homicldes and
lynchings in the south, which extends
he said, not only to the black fiend
but to the better class of persons and
those accused with minor crimes, Dr
Abercrombie asserted:
The trouble is with our standard
of duty which Is a direct result OF
the character and attitude of oui
homes, our schools and our churches
our educational policy must be al
comprehensive in scope and extreme.
ly individualist IN application. Woe
be unto that government that makes
provisions for poor house, courthouse
Jail, and at the same time neglect.
adequately to train its children fol
the responsibilities of citizenship"
The speaker advocated a proper
education Of the negro to solve tn,
so-called race problem. and advocated
federal aid for public schools.
MOOSE WILL HOLD 4 SPECIAL
MEETING TONIGur