The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-01-23
The School Law.


county, in their Memorial to tho Lcgis-
la:ure, published in The Wh,g-apd
which we hope every citizen of the cou a.
ty will rcad--prescnt in clear and COM
prchensive manner, the deplorablle con-
ditlon of our present Public ,hool sys-
tenn, resulting, as the reaf.er will per-
ceive, from the miserable penny-w,sc
and pound foolish policy of restricting
the levy of tax for school purposes to
twelve cents on the hundred dollars, on
the county Assessment This choking
process has well nigh rendered the law
dead letter, and if continued must
eventually strangle it, The same short
sighted policy might be carried out by
the Leg stature with regard to the levy
ing of all taxes for county purposes.
Suppose we apply it to the road tax,
and restrict the levy for keeping the
public roads in proper order to % or 80
cents on the hundred dollars, or to pay
ing jurors, witnesses. etc., where would
the rctrograde system lead US in short
time?
Now we hold it to be an incontrovert-
nblo fact that the minds of tho rising
generation need as much care and astcn-
tentlon, at least, as our public roads.
To facilitate commerce and the proper
cultivation of the soil-to develop the
resources of the country-we expend
large sums on the public highways, and
no man thinks Of restricting the levy
for this, or any other purpose-cxccpt
for that Of education, to an Insufficient
pittance.
Is not the cultivation Of the mind of
the rising generation of vastly more i'm
portance than the mending and construct
ing of roads and bridges, as indispensi-
BILE as these things undoubtedly are
by the latter, we advance commerce
md develop the resources of the country,
but b. the former we advance civiliza-
tiou and elevate man to position higher
the angels. All that we Of the present
generation accumulate Of superfuous
wealth, belongs to the next then what
better use can be made Of it than in cul-
tivatipg the mind of the rising genera
ton which is so soon to take our places.
If we rear them in ignorance, and the
treasure which should have been cxpend-
ed in developing their intellectual and
mora! powers, is put into their pockets
we make Of them spend,hrifts, and on
our heads, in great measure, rests the
sin Of having launched an ignorant, i'm
moral, and unredncd race of beings upon
the world.
The subject Of public education is in
exhaustib!e, and might be pursued to an
unlimited extent, but to return to the
memorial. 1t recommends special levy
Of 4 cents on the hundred dollars for
the purpose of building school houses.
This will possibly provide sufficient
fund for that one object, aud is very
proper recommendation, but it also rec
omends an enlargement of the very evil
which has been found to be the bane of
our public school law viz, levy
of 90 cents on the hundred dollars of
the assessable property of the county
Why thus seek to tie the hands of pos
terity! Will not board of county Of
feers elected 10 years or 20 years hence
be as competent to levy tax for school
purposes as the present officers !! and
will they not be as economical with the
pubic money.
Why place limits to the levy Of o
school tax when you leave that for all
other county purposes entirely to the
discretion of the county officers, and the
requirements Of the time for which it i,
levied
We hope the Legislature will strike
out tue Limiting clause, and let the peo'
pie Of the county levy such tax fo
school, and all other purposes-for which
taxes are assessed-as they in thei
Judgment think proper, and eypedient