Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-06-29

to young America. After she shall have |
had two years training under our new
law, perhaps in training the idea how
to shoot " in this era Of progression, we
may then have some plan to excel the
present as greatly as the power and loco
motion of steam and electricity excel our
old ideas Of matters and things in gen
eral. ONg OF THE VoTERs
Since writing the above article, | no.
tice in your paper, an article, signed by
" Toaeher," in reply to my reasonable
request, to +" forbear showing US the de-
fects of this law, and to show us its good
qualities" As far, Mr.. Teacher" as
the lucre concerns me, assure you the
school law does me but little damage;
the whole amount of taxes which it could
compel me to pay. at its maximum per
cent. would not more than pay half the
price for schooling of Que child per an
mum therefore, if my taxes would not
educate my own, | cannot perceive what
advantage they could be to the masses
Further, Mr.. Teacher" as my taxes do
not pay for my own household, you com
pei NE, by this law, to ignore all philan-
thropic aud patriotic schemes for the
education of the masses and the INDECENT
If you can prove to me that this law is
exclusively for the benefit of the INDECENT,
then you may count me in, but it will be
hard to convince me against stubborn
facts. For instance, let us take what !
have understood to be tho data of the
commissioners. They say the county
will require forty schools; that each
school will have an average Of ten iudi-
gent children. Now, Mr.. Teacher"
make your calculation, and let us know
how much it will take to educate them;
apply the present amount received from
the State, say 81, 600, and what would
be the deficit.
No, Mr.. Teacher" this law never
was intended for philanthropic and pa
.triotic purposes it is for buncomh--to
ride upon the popular current with and
two years hence, you and its originators
will perceive that although the people
have never had the advantages of this
most excellent plan, they cannot be
gulled by false philanthropy, dressed up
even in the gorment of school bill.
You accuse me of kicking slyly at this
law. Now, Mr.. "Teacher," whenever
you want this bill publicly discussed, all
you have to do is to call Il meeting in its
favor, aud Zone Of the Voters will
promise to meet you. and then we can
both, epesiy ant avowediy, take our po-
sitions pro and can. | have no doubt.
Mr. Teacher" and nun Der Of others
, would rejoice not only to see me quit
this opposition instanter, but It would
prove most consoling to the hearts Of its
friends if they could cherish the slight
r est hopes that decided majority in oui
= county were not strongly prSdisposed tt
b this opposition mania. As to my intel
o ligence, | do not set in judgment upon it
il but, if Mr.. "Teacher" 10 willing to tax,
c a primary school at $500, and. toll anc
n labor faithfully for twelve months, BIZ
Y capacity must be below the standard, o
If he estimates lis services at a low figure
o lie is certainly tho first teacher / hav
is heard even hint at such salary beinl
Is sufficient. We may, perhaps, be abb
d to get forty, similar to yourself, to fill on
3 primary schools, and you can impress
/. upon the children the importance of libe
3 raj requirements in the paths Of erudi
is ton and knowledge, by telling them tina
d your great talents and learning command
o the enormous sum Of three hundred dol
e lars per year.
it Now, as to how ] appreciate th'
teacher in my neighborhood, that is I
@ matter between that party and myself
|, suffice it to say, we are on the best terms
IS and, as long as my feelings are un
r changed, and | ain able to pay, rest as
: sured shall not trouble the primary
J.. school, This present law must nccessa
rily break up the close connection and in
= timacy which does, and Of right should
/ exist between the patrons and the teacher.
/ BY this law, all the patrons Of the prma-
ry schools must submit their interests to
the care and protection of the five com
+ lnissioners, who, have no doubt, will
discharge their duties with fidelity.
You say, Mr.. Teacher" chat the old
ssyten, now becoming defunct. is very
Objectionable, because it affords but a
limited opportunity to the many children
whose parents labor under pecuniary dsa.
bility." let us take your data, Mr.. Teach
er, J." under the present law, and demon.
strate its sulfciency. You say that Der.
ry's district has coo children TO educate.
Now, | presume that this would prove
but a fair average Of the remaining four
districts, if your assertion be true. That
would give US 5000 children in the
county, to be divided among forty schools;
that would give seventy-fvo scholars
to each school Allow the teacher $500
per annum, and that will give him four
dollars per scholar, for one years instruc-
ton. fear Mr. Teacher" the education
received by the children might prove TO be
in the same ratio as the pay--too cheap to
be good. But, suppose We try your data
| by another standard, Mr.. Teacher" Say
we allow forty scholars for each school 10
/ The county. which is ten over The usual
number allowed 10 teacher, IL would
give US seyenty-6ye schools 10 the whole
county a cost Of S22 500 for teach
ers $3.50 for stationery, fuel, &C., al
loving ten dollars to each school; $50
for the commissioners, and 1856. go for
treasurer. Thus the aggregate costs, per
anuuuI, ofthc seventy five schools for one