Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-07-06

VHftc 1utH, loVVs
TO The Editor Of he Sentinel
DEAR SIR: Your paper, the 22nd instant,
contains q communication from w. VEIRs
Bouio, Esq, addressed to the County Com
missioners, giving his opinion, which was
asked by them, on the matter Of certain levies
asked of them by the Board or School Com
missioners, in conformity with the require
ments Of the present School law--that is to
say--lst, a levy Of ten cents on theone hum
dreda dollars of the assessable property Of the
county, as balance for the support Of Schools
and the building Of School houses End, o
levy to meet the expenses incident to dividing
the county into suitable School districts, pre-
scribing the boundaries, &C., amounting to
1924 SO; and, Bird, a levy for The purpose of
paying the salaries Of the School Commission
ers.
have read this communication with care
and interest--with care, because II relates to
the construction Of a very important and bene-
icient law; with interest, because fear the
learning Of that opinion may induce an action
on the part of the County Commissioners,
which may cause many Of the Public Schools
Of the county to be again closed, and oppor-
tunity for instruction thus irreparably lost to
many ofthe children of the county, who de-
pend solely on the Public Schools for all the
learning they may ever obtain.
frankly admit that do not believe either
Mr.. Bouic or the County Commissioners desire
this. They know that the standard Of public
education, in this county, is not what thought
to be. They both know how short time
many of the laboring class of our citizens can
allow their children to remain at school. In
some cases it is only during the Spring and
Summer months that the younger and more
delicate children, and some Of the girls, can
get to school, in other cases, it is only dur
ing the Writer months that the boys can be
spared from work on the farm. am glad at
its publication, because it invites DISCUSSION,
reply to it.
As to the effect and consequences ofthe
present School law, It matters not whether
is a law de jure or de facto. Mr.. Bouic himself
says, that he, in common with all officers o.
the State, has taken an official oath to cxecut.
it, and lit is our duty to execute 1t in good
faith until 1t is duly changed" | do not
suppose there ever was law which received
the universal assent of the governed. This is
subject to amendment or repeal, but, while it
exists, we must obey it. This being SO, we
will not discuss the military election Of the
Legislature, but see If we cannot execute the
law in good faith until It'll duly changed =
Tor as this g is our duty" we should seek
to perform it, rather than esade it, wen
though it be disagreeable or inconvenient so to
do. | am not one of those who think the
present law perfect. The State Superintendent
Of public instruction himself, believed his
own system, as proposed to the Legislature,
better than this We cannot expect system
which will meet with universal appreciation.
Among the objections to 1t, stated by Mr..
Bouic, he says: 1t supersedes school
system established under law of a LegisIa-
ture elected by the free votes of the people,
and that 1t establishes species Of literary
monarchy, With a cabinet ofpolitical aristo-
Gratis, selected by reason of their devoted par
tizanship, Wrestling from parents their just
participation in the education Of their chill
drcn, placed under the tutelage Of persons in
whose choice the parents have no proper
voice, and then making the parents pay, in
taxes, just such compensation as may be de-
manded, without reference to the opinions or
,y;ehao <,f fhnea who ha "a IN naw II ba. m
'claim TO our indulgence" Admitting that
(" 1t has no claim to our indulgence it goes
beyond it, and requires our obedience, as he
frankly admits. How does it differ from the
system which it has superseded Lei me state
some Of the differences. II substitutes a
uniform State system for multiform county
system, so that children living near cotermin-
Gus counties, or removing with their parents
or guardians from one county to another, may
do so without suffering any loss or incon-
venience in schooling particulars by the loca-
ton or change-the system being the same,
the books the same, and the same freedom of
access everywhere to all. In claiming the
allegiance Of all her citizens, the State through
her uniform system Of public schools, says to
all the children of the State, no child shall be
without education; without the means of
qualifying itself for intelligent citizenship; Of
learning its rights and the means Of securing
them the children ofthe poorest, every where
throughout the State, shall freely have the
means of perfecting themselves in any pursuit
they may choose, and Of raising themselves
to an equality with the greatest Of the land.
Where parents are ignorant, idle or vicious,
where counties, or sections Of counties, are
indifferent or neglectful Of education, the
children shall not necessarily suffer. will
train them for Intelligent citizenship and al
legiance, and thus diminish criminal prosecu
lions, with their consequent costs, and all the
expenses Of jaiis and. penitentiaries, and all
the countless miseries Of ignorance, consequent
idieness and vice. Thus will the State rise to
that eminence which she ought long since TO