The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-01-03


the constitution of the state of Folr-
ida of 1885, authorize and empower
the legislature to make provision
for the proper adjustment and settle
ment of the claims" Pursuant to this
authority the legislature of 1887 did
make compensation to the citizens of
Ocala for such claim.
What has been Ocala's loss by the
fates of war has been Gainesville's
gain. How magnifcently and grace
fully has our sister city worn her
honors, for the nucleus thus begun
fired the zeal of her citizens to great
er efforts, and today we have in her
midst institutions of learning in
which the whole state of Florida takes
delight, and the whole state of Flor
ida, now in this convention assem-
bled, recognizing her deeds of valor,
sends greetings to our University
City. May her star of intelligence
grow brighter and rise higher and
higher, and its luster never be
dimmed.
Now, again, to the members of the
Florida Educational Association, on
behalf of the citizens OF this city, |
extend to you a hearty welcome 70
our city, to our homes and fresides,
and may the blessings of an all-wise
Providence lead and direct you in ali
of your deliberations.
Mr.. R. c. Muncaster, the active
secretary of the Ocala board of trade,
was then introduced, and gave the
teachers a warm and enthusiastic
welcome from our commercial bodies.
His speech was entirely extemporan-
eous, and it's warmth and sincerity
made it appear like "apples of gold
in pictures of silver" The young or
ator took his seat amidst well-merit-
ed applause.
Dr. w. F. Blackman of Rollins Col
lege responded to the addresses Of
welcome on behalf of the association.
He mixed his wit, wisdom, pathos
and metaphors in a most charming
manner, and his peroration, in which
he described the departing of the old
and the birth of the new year, and its
application was exquisitely drawn
and splendidly received. He shower
ed Ocala with rare and unique COM
pliments, and altogether made very
happy speech.
The next number on the program
was the annual address of Hon. w.
NJ. Holloway, state superintendent OF
education.
He received a fiattering introduc-
ton and spoke interestingly as fol-
lows:
Ten years count for little in the life
OF a state, or the work of a public
school system. The duty and i'm
portance of free public education are
SO generally conceded that little in
quiry is made into the work of the
schools, except from year to year.
The annual reports of school officers
are accepted as a matter of course.
and comparisons are sometimes made
between the results accomplished in
consecutive years. A comparison
covering ten years reveals some sig
nificant facts barely recognized by
school officers themselves.
From almost every viewpoint edu-
cation is today the chief business of
the state. It's support is the privilege
of every taxpayer, and its advantages
the heritage of every child. Though
the progress of the last ten years fur
spirit of our people.
Increase in the Number of Schools.
On July l, 1901, there were operat-
ed 2470 schools, while on July 1, 1911,
there were maintained 1905 schools.
This shows an increase of only 49,
schools, but the small increase in the
number of schools is due to the aban-
donment of many small schools and
their consolidation into a compare
lively few larger ones. The discov-
cry of this fact is one of the surest
signs of progress. The false cry of
more and better schools has not been
| unheard in the meantime, but it is
more than gratifying to observe that
its siren influence has attracted only
a few victims. This condition indi-
Gates that the citizens of the state
have already established approx.
mately the number of schools they
consider necessary. The problem of
the present time is not to increase,
but to improve the schools, and al.
ready a strong tendency toward con-
solidation and an increased teaching
force can be easily discerned.
Teachers.
In 1Q0f fhorn rraro