The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-23
TOO VALUABLE TO LOSE.

Rvfner and Eggleston-these are the
only luminous names on the ron Oh
those who have held the office OF su-
nerintendent of Public Instruction.
r-aa,ed more than four decades ago.
To the former has been given the non
o,able title "the Architect of the Nir-
s,nsa Plfblic school system" while
,pa latter may deservedly be termed
.,he Builder OF the Virginia Puo4ic
School system" certainly in Its re-
modelled and reconstructed form. II Is
because o. the splendid structure thar
Mr. Egsleston has reared IN the place
~ 4 loose framework OF impotency ana
,,ef7ciencv that Ii. contemplated res
,epa,ion TO accept the position of Ma
,,onal Supervisor of Rural Schoois
evokes regretful protest from the en-
rire commonwealth. He cannot be re-
nlaced: if he were 10 go. there would
he none left in Virginia who could
bend his bow.
Probably no educational develop
nent in any State Of the Union is more
remarkable than that which is repre-
scented In the old Commonwealth or
Virginia" said President Pritchett, in
the 1911 report of the Carnegie Foun-
datlon for the Advancement of Teach
ing. That declaration was predicated
almost wholly upon what has actually
been achieved since Mr.. Eggleston be-
came. in 1905. Superintendent Of Pub
lie instruction. In 1905 there were ten
four-year high schools in Virginia In
1912 there are more than a hundred
s,,cb schools in the State. There has
in this particular branch Of the pubic
school system. In 1866 but 100000
was spent by local authorities for high
school support; in 1901 between
5000 GOO and $4,000 was spent for
that purpose In 1866 only $4,000
was spent. in the entire State upon
nigh school buildings, in the five sue
ceeding years. the average annual eX-
nenditure was more than 100000. The
ngures mean that the colleges of The
State now require for admission some
thing like the same entrance stand
ards that are required In other states;
that In almost every county there has
been established a high school TO serve
as a centre OF local educational sum-
illus. and TO provide an opportunity
for ambitious youth who would secure
a good education The educational au-
thority above quoted declares that the
Old Dominion has taken an enormous
step" toward a consistent and eficient
system Of instruction, reaching from
the state university to the secondary
and elementary schools. and that tne
advance here in entrance requirements
and public school buildings is probably
more noteworthy than IN any other
State.
OF course. entire credit for The educa-
tional achievements or the last decade
cannot be given to Mr.. Eggleston, but
his wonderful constructive erdeavors
IN other direetisns overlap any dis
counting. since. ne went into office
school terms have been heightened.
the salaries OF teachers have been IN
creased. modern school buildings have
been erected. school taxes have been
raised. teachers pensions have begun.
large amounts OF money have been
collected for the schools from private
resources. the aid Of outside educa-
tiouai organizations and philan:bropic
agencies has been secured. inefficient
schools have been consolidated into
eficient schools the standards Tor the
qualifications of teachers and for
over. Mr.. Eggieston has contributed
largely 70 the betterment Of rural life
81 Virginia IL initiated and directed
demonstration work IN the schools
ne introduced the boys corn clubs. the
school fairs and domestic science work.
He was responsible for the establish
-reut % manual training in the schools.
he has greatly strengthened the state
Teachers Association. AMI caused the
$ h0oi trustees and division slperia-
teuderts' sections 20 b. added % ~.
IN bic supervision q the schools Re
has exercised force 7 control. ac has
~; 5ackhon- and sraln fnto the Office
= superintendent Of Pybil- Instruction.
The enemies fha; D. mace 30 doing
. are re enemies o. the peoples prog
ress lie has been accused q dicta-
torsairess. but . was be-ause he had
The good courage 20 a. he d-ty. The
reyl.alizatioa - AZ educational system
recessitates sorns -neasure - amps-
fation. and tre eS-isfnr c. rae-ners is
not zccornplishel without protest
None IS more lo-n 90 600 81. Esgies-
ton leave the edscatlona- service q
his state thsn j.. Times Dispatch.
and nom g. more willing 10 o. every
thing possible 90 retain Aim 'n his
present position 81 the head % OF
public school system = .s srierstoOc
ina. one Of the cons deratiors whic,
-~-,o.s min = leave virginia ,s that