Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-05-18
PUBLIC MEETING.

Pursuant to previous notice, an ad-
journed meeting Of the citizons of Med
ley's District, opposed to the school bill
passed at the late session Of the leg;sla-
ture, convened in the Town Hall, in
Poolesville, on Saturday last, the 18th
instant. The weather being very inclem-
ent, there were not very large number
of persons present. DR.. WILLIAM BREW
Err, chairman, called the meeting to or
der; and after having stated the object
of being called together, motion was
made that the chairman appoint COM
mittee of five persons to prepare business
for the meeting; whereupon the follow
ing gentlemen were appointed: Messrs.
VIM. I. Jones, Richard Fl. Jones, Ben
jamn White, David Young, and Fredc-
rick S. Poole; who having retired and
after consultation, presented the sub
joined preamble and resolutions, which
were adopted:
WHEREAS, The late Legislature of Ma
ryland did pass primary school law,
unasked by the people; aud whereas the
said law is obnoxious to large majority,
as we believe, Of the voters of our county,
as being unnecessary and oppressive, as
we'll as unequal aud unjust, and calcula-
ted only to benefit few, at the expense
of the many and whereas this legisla-
ton is local and not general in its appli-
cation, therefore
Resolved, That we had a primary school
system already in operation among US,
and has been for years giving entire salts
faction to all parties interested, with
funds more than sufficient to educate all
who came under its provisions, and spread
ding its benign influence throughout the
length and breadth of our land.
Resolved, That, therefore, we needed
not, nor did we ask the legislature to
modify, alter or substitute another sys-
tenn for the present one.
ResOl0ed, That it is not the right or the
duty of the legislature to enact laws
either partial in their applications, or OPP
pressive 20 any class of citizens, to pan
der to the selfshness of few whose per-
sonal interest might be thus advanced by
injustice to the many.
ResoIeed, That the legislature needed
no further evidence of the peoples will
in reference to this matter, than was ex-
pressed in vote some seventeen years
since, when a similar bill to that recent
ly enacted into law was presented to
their consideration, and it was voted down
by an overwhelming majority.
ReSolued, That this act was, therefore,
an assumption of power on the part of
our legislature, to which we arc unwil-
ling to submit, especially as it was I'M
asked for by us, the people aud was
wholly gratuitous and uncalled for.
Resolced, That as this law is purely To-
cal, and under the constitution of Mary
land the laws enacted by our legislature
are required to be general, we believe
the said law is unconstitutional. and be-
lieying our Board of county commissioners
have the power to levy the necessary tax,
OF not, TO carry out the provisions of said
law, We earnestly and most respectfully
appeal to their honorable body to refuse
to levy the said tax
Resotred, That the annual increase Of
our county taxes have arisen to so alarm.
ing degree, that we hereby call upon the
county commissioners not only to abstain
from further increase, but curtail those
already made, if possible.
WILLIAM BREWER, Chm.