The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1918-09-06
Of Mcdowell Held q
; Most Enthusiastic In
s6tute Last Week
Excellent Attendance and Most
c--a;sl Spirit Greeted Dr.. Them-
a. and Prof. ively--Splesdid
Musical Program Directed By
Prof. Francis.

again her clarion tones ending vacation
time for boys aud girls and calling teach
ere on again % r-~nme their task OF
training little minds.
The teachers of Mcdowell have gone
forth to their work With a new spir it Of
enthusiasm and q remuneration ss the
result OF inspiration and clearer vision
gathered in their institute held At WEIGH
last week.
DIR. James :. Thomas, of the Universi-
ty Of Alabama and Inspector for the
High sehools Of that state. and also
Prof. r. l.. Lively. OF the Fairmont
state Normal, were the instructors who
brought messages OF new thought and
methods of attack tor the problems that
confront the teacher IN working OUT the
attitude Of the teacher and the school
toward the new civilization that must
grow out OF the present crisis
In the course of his great series OF lee
lures, DIR. Thomas dealt with the subject
OF education and its modern tendencies
with an intelligence that was truly en-
tightening and inspiring to those who
heard him. DIR. Thomas il . man of
magnificent intellectual attainm@nts, a
man TO whom the state of Alabama owes
much for its present intellectual swsk-
ening and literary renaissance. He ex
planned in some detail how Alabama
has in recent years addressed herself TO
the task of reorganizing her educational
system, stsndsrdizing college,, normal
and high schoolf and revamping her en-
tire educational system 30 A. To make the
entire scheme OF things more efficient,
more economical and, therefore, more
profitable TO Il e tate.
Many of the reforms that the distin-
Ruished educator pointed out as recent
Developments in the Southern state
could be profitsbly applied IN our state
and, therefore, DIR. Thomas narration OF
there evolution OF things educational in
bis state Was not without practical value
- well - interesting to the teachers of
West Virginia. While he dealt with the
subject Of education in all of ramifica-
=
Ter, DIR. Thomas was at no time more
interesting than in his talk ON the atti-
tuds OF Alabama towards the education
d Der coiored people. lie cited facts
and figures TO show that the Southern
state 10 by no means derelict or remiss in
her attitude towards Negro education.
The Doctor made it clear that he 10 q
stern advocate Of an efficient end thor
eueh going system of education for the
Negro, not from the viewpoint Of phil
fundamental principle of education for
the Negro - . wise investment for the
state whereby handsome diviends in cit
izenship will lie the result.
Dr. Thomas spoke in highest terms Of
the magnificent contribution Of Tusk gee
20 the education Of the colored people Of
Alabama and Was ardent in his praise of
the past and present lea iers of this COL
losal institution.
Prof. Lively, Of the Farmont state
Normal, 10 no stranger to the teachers OF
Mcdowell. He devoted much time TO
discussing features OF the proposed new
School Code and pointing out some of
the merits and advantages Of proposed
new measures. Mr.. Lively also dealt
with the subject Of agricultural possibili-
ties OF even rugged sections Of the state
and how the schools can work out many
agricultural experiments and enterprises
that would be both instructive and prof
liable TO the community where located
We were again favored with the pres
ence OF Prof. J. Henry Francis. Of Char
lesion Public Schools, vino comes to We
~ the music master with symphony mel
ody and rhapsody that relieves what
would otherwise be a HOMOGENEOUS pro-
gram. Mr.. Francis, together with his
excellent musical organization, was e.
pecislly entertaining. A military strain
ran through the musical program which
served TO quicken the spirit Of patriotism
which 10 always first in the heart OF the
schools.
Other Outstanding features Of the 49,