The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-01-27

tons, involved them IN Obligations amount
ing to some 81 800, which remained unlSt:Ci-
dated when the revenues and assets Of that
Board passed into the hands of the present
Board upon its organization. This state of
the finances may be thus accounted for
Although the local tax authorized by the
County law, (still in force in that PARTICULAR
was twenty cents on The 500 of tie assessa
bic property of the county, the rate levied
for the current year, under that law, was but
twelve cents on the 500, this being all that
the County Board asked for at the time the
County Commissioners were making out
their levy list in June last, before the present
Board was organized. This moderate de-
mand was doubtless made by the old Board
with view to lessen the local tax as much
rs possible, so that the introduction of the
State tax might be less perceptibly felt and
less Objectionable to the people. But this
has proved to be mistaken policy, as their
floating debt was thereby left unprovidcd for;
whereas, if the whole twenty cents. authori
zed by the local law had been asked for
there would have come to the hands of the
present Board some $3.50, more than can
be received under the rate actually levied
a sum not only sufficient to pay off the debt
Of S4,500, but leaving a margin of some
81 $50 for the thousand and one contingent
cles that in the administration of such sys-
TEN as this are continually arising.
The suspension of the Schools. at this
L.,
hazardous and unwise proceeding, and the
Board at its adjourned meeting on the ID of
January next, will, doubt not determine
to continue the floating debt, and prepare to
meet it by call for tie full twenty cents on
the $780, under the local law, in the levy of
1866.
Whenever the floating debt is removed if
the local tax is continued or left unrepealed,
as in our Judgment it should be, unless its
| repeal be called for by the people of the
County themselves, the resources Of the
Board will, think, be equal to the demands
upon them, with such local aid in the erection
and furnishing of houses as proper and
ludcious presentation of the subject will
and the singular provision in the Constitu-
ton torhidding the passing of any law provi-
ding local tax is enforced the State tax
must necessarily be increased and largely
increased, or the system must fail.
In reference to the seventh and last topic
suggested in your communication, viz: the
opinion entertained of the School law by our
Board our experience as to its practical
workings, and the additions. alterations or
amendments that are deemed advisable.
would remark. that the notifications of the
law, suggested at the State Convention of
School Commissioners in August last. and
entrusted to a committee who will doubtless
report at the adjourned meeting of that Cor
vention, or Association, on the 18th proXimo,
in a great degree, if not entirely, conceded
with our views.
The practical workings of the State system
is so similar to that of the local system pre-
viously in operation, that its introduction
was exceedingly easy; and we believe it to be
well adapted to the wants of our people
The increased number of Schools under the
care of each Commissioner. will of course
render his labOrs more arduous. bat ms in
creased compensation is provided for. the
service. it is believed. will be better pcrl0r
med while the general supervision provided
for in the duties of the President of the
Board, if that officer be faithful to his hOst
cannot fail to be productive of the best con
sequences. The benefits of this feature of the
system, are already seen in the manifest in
tercst exhibited by both Teachers and Schol
ars III The visits Of that officer.
The instrumentaliies provided in the law
for rearing up a supply Of well-trained Tea
chers, and for aiding those already employed
to improve themselves in the duties of the
important profession they have chosen, are
regarded with especial favor.
The High School continues to be well at
tended and is doing good work. Its
organization, however, remains as originally
established under the County system, unchan-
ged. My desire is that it shall be re organi-
zed at an early day, under the auspices olthe
State Board of Education, as the law rcqu,
res. AT present the whole responsibility Of
| its management rests upon my shoulders,
and as my duties are in other respects suni-
GENTLY oherous, am anxious to have such
relief in that direction as the law provides.
| All which is respectfully submitted
+. A. ELLIS,
President