The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-27
STATUS OF INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
IN STATE AND LEGISLATION NEEDED


frame OF mind. Years of experience
have convinced me that 1t Is neces-
sary to approach the Virginia Legisla-
ture on the positive side only Tell
that fine body of ne. - our needs
as graphically as you may. and always
add proper words of appreciation and
recognition for what they have done:
then ask for all the money in sight
Never make the mistake of telling
a Legislature right to its face what
it has not done-what 1t could have
done and ought to have done--when
you are asking for money. There
able to say soberly and sincerely OF
our Legislature, that when I think
Of what It has done for public schools
during recent years, and realize how
incapable I am as Superintendent OF
Public instruction OF voicing my own
gratitude. and that OF many an hum
Bile child or teacher. / grasp the SEN
timent of Tommy Atkins In Kipling s
immortal "Bobs" and say:
This amt no bloomin' ode,
But you've 'elped the soldiers load
And for benefits beloved.
Bless yer, Bobs.'
Our fourth topic on this subjec,
of the Virginia legal status shall be
a consideration Of the personnel and
powers OF the State Board OF Educa-
ton. That board consists of the Gov
ernor, the Acknowledgement. and six
experienced educators. as they are
called. OF these six additional mem
bers one, the Superintendent OF Public
Instruction. is elected by the people
three are chosen from members OF
the faculties of the University of Vir-
ginia. the Virginia Military Institute.
the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, the
State Normal School at Farnaville,
william and Mary College. and the
Virginia School for the Deaf and the
Blind. These members are chosen by
the Senate from a list of six eligibles
nominated by the respective boards oil
visitors. The six members thus chosen
associate with themselves one county
and one city superintendent. and the
board Is complete. The State Board
Of Education thus chosen is charged
under the constitution with powers
that vitality affect our present inquiry
First. the constitution declares that
the State board shall have authorit,
to make all needful rules and reguia'
tons for the management and con-
duct OF the schools. which. when pub
lished and distributed. shall have the
force and effect Of law. subject to the
amend or repeal the same. On THU
point 1t is sufficient TO say that what
ever we now lack in the way OF leg
islation for the purpose OF introduc'
ing or furthering our vocational pro-
gram can be supplied by this law
making power Of the State Board Of
Education
DR., Chambers Work.
Again, the State board appoints all
Of the division superintendent anc
the men thus appointed have power
to accomplish for local school sys'
tenn all that 4 teacher may accomplish
for school. Let me illustrate. In
1908 the State Board Of Education
thought It saw some indication OF
talent in one J. A. G. Chandler. an
obscure country boy who was q grad
uate of two comparatively unknown
schools named william and Mary Col
lege, and Johns Hopkins University
He had been professor Of history. OF
something Of that nature. In another
modest Institution named Richmond
COLLEGE, where some OF us who are
younger than DR.. Chandler went to
school, and this obscure country boy
had also written some books that other
unsophisticated country boys love ia
read. Well. to make q long story
short, the STATE Board Of Education
decided to give that product OF the
thin sotl OF Caroline County . chance,
and they made him City Superintend.
ent OF Schools. n the board had
known Chandler as well as know him
Il was only the secretary In those
days) they would have given him
higher place by making him = county
superintendent. Thus. briefly. 1t has
seemed appropriate to give you tbs
historical nexue between the revival
of learning In Virginia and the Rich.
mond School Survey. The State Board
OF Education has furnished YOU super,
tnkennent Chandler. and - leaae S1hs