Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-10-31

Democratic party by its opponents is that
it has heretofore voted 'gratuities'' to col
leges and eminent institutions of learning
in this State, and they demand that all
sums to be devoted to educational pur-
poses shall be appropriated to the prima-
ry schools.
There are two sides to this question, as
there are to many others, and a word or
two on the subject may not be unworthy
the consideration of our readers.
In the first place, no money has been
voted by the Legislature since it has been
under Democratic control to any institu-
ton of learning as mere 'sgratuity." On
the contrary, every appropriation of the
kind has been connected with conditions,
looking to the education of the children
of parents who, from poverty, are unable
to afford them the opportunity Of obtain
ing the highest grade of a classical educa-
ton, and thereby fit them to fill any posi-
ton in life for which their talents may
suit them Every institution receiving
such appropriation is required to educate
free of cost, or for a nominal amount, 8
certain number of scholars from each coun
ty. Thus, by the appropriation of a few
hundred. or few thousand dollars, to en-
inent institutions of long standing, the
State enables the poor boy to obtain thai
which otherwise would be beyond his
reach-a thorough education in all the
highest branches, whilst an equal division
of this aggregate amount among the pr
mary schools of the State would be as |
drop to the ocean, and could accomplish
no pereeptible good, but would be simpl.
frittering away the resources of the people
I'VE have always been. and are now, mos
earnest advocates of the thorough educa
ton of the masses by system of publi
/ free schools. But tive must cut our Goa
according to our CLOTH" And as tn
means of the tax-payers.will not permi
the placing offs college of the highest OF
i der within the reach Of every mans door
q we must do the best we can with the lin
tied means at our disposal. And we thin
j the policy which has guided the Demo
4 cratic party on this subject has been wis
i and win commend itself to every refectin
/
straining point, are able to- afford fit.
dollars towards the classical education o
| childinone ofthese eminent institutions
who could not possibly give two hundred
dollars for the same purpose. Toprohibi
/ these appropriations by the State would
| in effect, be to prevent the, poor man, o
the man Of limited means, from giving III
child that complete and thorough educa
ton which would enable him or her to at
tain prominence in any position in life
and would doom the child of genius ant
poverty to the requirement of plain pri
mary school education, where he could
only. learn to read, write and cypher.
Are the people of this county and State
prepared to acqniesce in such an illibera
and contracted doctrine as this Al
praise then to the Democratic party, which
in this, as in all otherimeasures, legislatel
for the benefit of its humblest citizens.
But perhaps our opponents think that &
few months, or few weeks, of attendance
at a primary school is sufficient for The
poor boy-or, may be, they think, as one
iof their candidates for Legislative honori
is currently reported to have said, ssthat
the best education for poor mans child
is to be acquired at the plow-handle."
People of Charles county, will you a
bandon the Democratic party, which has
Iinaugurated so liberal system, for one
which proposes for your consideration SC
narrow and contracted policy2