Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-02-02

ings, we transfer to our columns from the
Journal Of last week, in which paper it
is paraded under the editorial head, the
following opposite article uponthc system
Of Education recommended by the Gov
ernor of Maryland in his late Message
In addition to the intrinsic value Of the
suggestions therein contained, strong and
anthentic evidence of their beneficial OPP
Grafton is to be found in the history of
common school systems into which they
have been incorporated. 1t is very
questionable whether any educational
plan, Invested of the energy which such or
analogous principles are Indispensable to
impart, could be rendered permanent or
of the least practical utility.
We are gratifed to find that the writer
intimates the probability ofhis rosumine
the subject. 1t is to be hoped that he
will do so, as the subjoined article shows
that this interesting subject win sustain
no detriment FROM his energetic pen.
l. We think that the State of Mary
land is ready for the adoption of system
Of Common School Education. Nearly
fifteen years ago the matter was deeply
investigated, and the Legislature ap-
pointed the present Chief Justice of the
Court of Appeals, the then Treasurer
and Librarian, committee to prepare a
form Of law for the consideration of the
next Legislature That form was pre-
pared, very Objectionable, it is true in
many of its features, but, owing to the
financial difficulties which at that time
threatened the Commonwealth, the mat
ter, without examination, was suffered to
sleep the sleep of death.
A committee Of gentlemen in Balti-
more, interested particularly in the sub
ject, prepared likewise 'plan," which
was laid before the Legislature This
''plan" differed, in many essential par
ticulars, from the committees project,
but it met the same fate. We presume
that both pamphlets can be found on file
among the archives of the Committee on
Education. Since that period two or
three Conventions of the People have
been held with reference to the matter.
all urging with force and fervor the es-
Enlistment of School System, such as
the Governor recommends. The acts
and recommendations of these conven-
tons were received with great favor by
the community, and, we have no doubt,
had the Legislature acted favoraDly upon
them, they would have been triumphantly
sustained by their constituents.
Taking all these matters into consid-
Grafton, together with the fact that the
language of the Governor has been
strongly responded to by the press, at
home and abroad, we are led to the con-
clusion that the State is ready for action
in the premises.
2. No time could be more favorable
than the present The finances of the
State are in remarkably prosperous
condition. The Governors Message
shows surplus in the treasury of more
than $500, 900, and sinking fund of
nearly $4,000 The State can well
afford to go to the expence of putting
first rate Educational machinery into
operation.
B. Should the committee determine to
report bill in conformity with the Gov
ernor's views, as we trust they will, we
would respectfully suggest:
1st That the SUPPLEMENTARY be
made distinct Office. The committee
of 1913 recommended that the Secretary
of State be the Superintendent. Nothing
could be more destructive to the interests
of any system than such an arrangement;
for the duties which ought to be prescribed
for the Superintendent would require
the undivided attention and the whole
time of any one man, whatever might be
his talents or his genius, and whenever
there are divided duties, there cannot
possibly be that tone and efficiency and
promptitude which are all essential to
the successful prosecution of system in
its details.
I'd. That they provide that the Super
intendent shall be person practically
acquainted with the subject matter of
his appointment. We do not want the
most acute lawyer, the most eloquent
divine, the most accomplished writer or
the most active party man, but person
eognizant of the wants Of parents and
children, and able, from his own knowl-
edge and experience, to meet the views
of all interested in the matter.
3D.. That they provide that the Schools
be permanent. Nothing can be possibly
conceived of more destructive 10 educa-
ton than the plan of breaking up the
schools every year or every six months
employing new teachers, or employing
none at all. 1t is very great mistake
to suppose that change of teachers is
always beneficial, even if good teachers
be obtained. The mind of the pupil is
distracted by the various modes Of in
structon adopted and the different books
employed. The wisest plan, by all means,
is to ascertain what is good, and retain
1t, even if it docs cost money.
4th. That they provide that no county
shall receive any moneys from the State
for the purposes of education unless its
Commissioners or Levy Court shall have
LEVIED at least an equal amount by taxa
sin. The successful working of the
system having the features before alluded I
TO, WILL after all, mainly depend on this
The counties shoull hn rsllol ,,no,, e,