American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-18

b" cnntuIrng G0Iiegialc powers on the ilIg
school. Powers OF dis nstlrG Coud not I"
| conferred without an act nf maorpUration---ih,
| necessity for a charter being inherent in Ia,
very nolurG Of the power. Indeed, this Is ad
'nilted by the manuscript petition; because,
tho Mayor and City Council could confer col.
!egiale powers on the school, why apply to tn,
Legislature? The answer obviously is, bocaust
churter or act of Incorporation only can con.
fer the collegiate p wer.
law Of this kind could no. be passed with,
ont making the High School corporate body;
and consequently, SO far as the grant in The
charter might extend, without taking some de-
gree Of control from the corporation of Bllti-
more. To this, your committee unhesltatnglN
assert, the Council should not assent. The
School belongs to tho CITY; was established
and is supported at largo expense, by her laws
nnd hor treasury, at cost merely nominal to
It's beneficaIips. The fact thai other insliti-
tons Of learning IN the city are incorporated,
and have the power to confer collegiate hOuUrs,
docs not hear On the question at ISSUE; mas.
much as these Institutions have 10 connection
with tho Cty--are not supported by her trea-
Eury or governed by her ordinances. Theirs
~ distinct aud Independent corporation, Such
powers conferred on a Public Hugh School,
would make it corporation within q cofpOra-
ton, and might lead 10 acts highly prpjndIcial,
if MT destructive, to the best Interests of pub
lie education. What sane nan oven v0unta-
rily FelIngrshed the right of entire conifol
over his own property? Yet this s, essential
iy, what the City Council is requested to ac-
compliSb.
Your committee are not acquainted with any
High School, in this country or in any couu-
try, which Is vested with collegiate powers; and
for the very reason that such schools a'e every
where, IN their very nature, distinct from col
lages. The moment you convert them into
colleges, they cease TO be High Schools In
Philadelphia, for instance, the High School is
Of elevated character, and is conducted by dis
tngnislled men; but does not confer collegiate
h0nors. What then, your committee ask
what are the urgent reasons which should in
duco Baltimore to depart FROM I'll precGdents'
The Philadelphia high school connr3 teslino-
mails on her pupils VINO satisfactorily complete
the prescribed course OF instruction; and yOnr
committee have prepared an ordinance, which
is presented as part OF tins report, to confer the
fame mark Of distinction Oh pupils of the Bal
trDn'a HIGH Schools.
This subject was before the last Council, and
was refused. 1he Board Of Schou' Comn,is-
slonels rouScd /" make application 70, such
p .wcr. No members of the community arc
uo,a sincere friends Of public education, and
Of the High School, thanyou committee, none
r'ote sincerely desiTOus 10 extend every aid
and announcement 10 emulous youth to the
poor more than 10 lhe rich
Yu"r committee win not further extend this
report; but conclude by recommending tho en-
actnenl Of the FutjoinGd ordinance, by which
the commissioners VIII be aulh1riz ID to confer
Testimonials 90 pupils Of the High Schools.
The Report is signed by all the members OF
the joint cOnmItlee;--0n Of the number con-
Meeting a qualification with his name. The
ordinance gives testimonials, as is done in OH
er High Schools, to the pupils.