The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-03-06
Public Schools,

Chesapeake City, in reference to Public
Schools. The correspondent cherishes
the very appropriate name of Snap"
and like snappy folks generally, seems
to have misunderstood, entirely, the re-
marks of The Wing of the previous
week, which did NOT reflect upon the
present School Board, or such compe-
tent and commendable teachers as
70 Snap" but pointed out some of the
defects of the present headlcss system
:" Snap" has evidently an exalted opin-
ion of the integrity Of teachers. SO
have we, when we KNOW them to be
honest, faithful and capable. Snap"
says, " l do deny the charge that teach
ers would be so destitute of principle
as to register names improperly for the
sake of pay. l speak now from obser-
vation" The question is, How far has
your observation extended, Madam
" Snap" Not beyond your own re-
cortland so far we don't question it.
But we assert, not from so limited
field of view, but from official advise
ment, that teachers DO register names
improperly for the sake of pay. Now,
conscientious Snap" who has the best
of the argument on this point?
The Bayard school, which "Snap"
cites, is doubtless model school, and
the present teachers deserve all praise
for their "endeavors to discharge the
duties of second assistant" They
will doubtless receive their reward of
" we'll done, good and faithful teach
ers, enter We in to the joy of higher
grade and larger school. They evil
IDENTIFY remember that virtue is its own
reward" 1t is just barely possible
that all teachers are not Of this high
moral type, which marks the Bayard
standard. What then shall be done
Why simply have a system of Public
Schools that will compel its teachers to
come up to that standard. The present
system is inefficient in that respect. 1t
is disjointcd, loose, without superin-
tending head, and consequently with
out concert. In this respect, it will not
begin to compare with the system it
superseded. Snap next says:
Mr.. Editor, do you think the Wing
would have ever complained of the pay OF
officers? No. it is only when the poor
devils of teachers realize a few dollars. that
the Wig begins to growl and insinuate
that teachers are dishonest. | think, as a
band of men and women. they are as pure,
if not purer, than other professional char
acters.'
We presume there is a typographical
error in this second sentence. In place
Of realize" the writer meant it tc
read, STEAL few dollars We never
do complain of the PAY of officers OIL
teachers, when it is fair and just com
pensation for services rendered nor car
Snap" find any such complaints il
The Wing. But when The Wing is
apprized of officers or teachers act
ing dishonesty, it pays but little regard
to the calling of either, but denounces
the crime Now what we denounced
in the article referred to, was not 81
much the practice Of some teachers, bu
the defect in our present Public Schoo
system, which allowed such abuses t.
he perpatrated
Snap" proceeds TO praise the pres
ent School Board at the expense of tn,
former Board, which is entirely unjust
The present Board have abundan
means to pay with. the law giving then
the power to order the County Commits
sioncrs t. levy sufficient school tax tc
meet all expenses, and TO keep thu
schools in operation the entire year i
they deem proper. This is the hes
feature of the present law, and wherein
the School Board, under the former law
was crampcd and Strengthened Had
change, in this respect, been made il
the law, which was superseded by tn,
present clumsy system, it would hav,
been one of the most admirable systems
in the country. We do not argu,
against Public Schools as some limo
cent folks" Snap among others
have supposed, because VIC point GU
defects in the present School Law. w,
wish TO have those defects remedied
and if possible arrive at system o
Public Schools for the State. unaurpa sset
by any in the country.
Snap concludes by saving tina
"thc best banks have spurious coins
We presume that it was the intention
to except the Bayard School, and also
acknowledges that few spurious coins
or tcachers-it is not clear which il
mcant-arc found among the schools 0
the county. But why make this latter
acknowledgement, after denying thai
teachers would be SO destitute of prin
ciple as to register names improperly ?
1t is quite evident that Snap is "a
snapper-up of unconsidcred trifes," anc
like many others, attempts to reply
to an article without clearly compre
bending its purport.
Our complaints and structures are
not directed against Public School svs
tens, but against defects which they
may possess.
EXIT ANDY.
Andy johnson gave his parting kicL
on Wednesday last in lengthy ad
10. Al, l. g. Al