The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-24


Try"
Long Record of Service.
Reaumur c. Stearnes. Superintendent
Of Public instruction in Virginia. wa,
born in Pulaski County in April. 1866.
the son of Dr. and Mrs. ]. l. Stearnes,
Of salem. He was educated near Dub
lin and at Richmond College where he
graduated in 1887. having taken the
Greek medal the philosophy medal and
being the valedictorian Of his class
Teaching became his vocation before
he left college. for he taught a gram
mai school in his undergraduate years.
Afterwards he taught In the Allegheny
Institute. Roanoke In 1892 he was
made superintendent OF schools in Roa-
nolle County. and filled this office con-
tinuously. being reelected without Op
position each time. until made secre-
tary TO the state Board OF Education
in 1906.
\ large part Of Mr.. Stearness repu
tation as a school supervisor was made
as SUPERINTENDENT IN Roanoke. He in
troduced a graded system in the rural
schools. giving the county genera!
reputation. Il was applied TO all
sorts of schools as to give the student
in the one-room school as Important
advantages az those in other institu-
tions. The Salem High School was
naturally the county centre. but by
means of the grading system put in
motion by Mr. Stearnes. students who
completed the grades in the small
schools would rank at the top in Salem
Be it remembered that Mr.. Stearnes
constantly shows his interest in the
one-roOm schools of the State.
lie was known as a supervisor who
supervised, giving his attention to re-
I'D :
even more than 70 those in centres OF
population This procedure he has
impressed upon superintendent every !
where, and il may be counted upon 10 |
be an important part OF his work as ]
superintendent for the state
Made Public Speeches.
The activities of Mr.. Stearnes have
by no means been confined to mis- duties .
in tha office AT the Capitol. He has !,
made public addresses in perhaps
eighty-five of the 100 counties of the /
state. and is in demand FOR educational |
speeches
He taught in the summer sch Dol AT /
the University of Virginia and served |
for five years as president OF the state /
Teachers Association at the time that /
organization was being awakened and
galvanized into activity. In thorough 1
sympathy with rural problems. ale has
encouraged local school leagues, being
pioneer in the field now occupied BY
the Cooperative Education Associa-
tiOn.
Other activities which have grown
under his hand have been the indeXing
and codification OF the school laws OF
Virginia, the devel opment OF normal
training departments in high sch )ols,
organization Of graded schools at state
reformatories and educational work
among the Pamunkey Indians.
The existing plan Of examination Of
teachers came from his brain and has
been generally commended He was
always a leader in the Virginia Edu-
catioDal Conference. which brings to-
gether annually the educational forces
of Virginia.
Candidates for Secretary.
The names OF Evan II. Ches;erman.
Agar Voolfolk. :. X. McChesncy and
g. Y. Bowry have already been sug-
cested as candidates for the office of
secretary 20 the state Board Of Educa-
ton. which Mr.. Stea-ns vacates. Mr.
Chestcrman is n weil-kuown ncwspa-
per man OF this city. where he has
spent his lie. lie is recommended
by his friends as being man quail
fcd in every way for the ofiice-by edu-
cation. contact with the public. tact
and ability. lie has many loyal sup
porters who have espouscd his cause
Mr.. Voolfolk IS principal of the
Springfield school. in Richmond, and
secretary Of the state Teachers Asso-
citation lie - young. but has had
wide experience as a teacher. Mr.
Bowry is regarded as one Of the more
progressive division superiutcndents OF
the state. his district comprising Not
fowsy and Amelia Counties. Mr. Nc
Chesney. q n1nvoting member IF the
state Board Of Education. Is superin-
tendcnt Of the schools Of Bristol. Va
where his term will soon expire. lie
has Indicated his intention Of not con
tiuing in that capacity