The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-02-13
THE sEGZS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18th, 1874.
For the 1EgiS and hfeRige"'
Public Schools.

Public Schools.
Mr.. EDIToR: In reviewing the school report
for our county the past year, We claim only the
privilege Of every citizen or tax payer, oil look
ing over and examining the account and expen-
ses set forth therein.
We do not set out to censure the Board, or
charge them with any lack Of duty; not at all
But to make q fair and candid examination of
their report, and the expenditures OF our school
system, and following that, show some reasons
why economy should be used
In the Secretary's report, If there be any er.
sors, grammatical or otherwise, we leave them
with the teachers to correct.
In the first place, for the purpose of COMPARE
son, we lay before US the report OF the County
commissioners for the past year, and the eXpen-
ditures therein, side by side with the report of
the School Commissioners and their expendi-
lures The entire expenses OF the county, as
here reported, are summed up as being 49, 40
dollars. Roads, brit es, paupers, pensioners,
Jurors, witnesses, attorneys, clerks, sheriff. &c,
Sc., and about ID 900 dollars of the above to-
wards public schools. The entire expenditures
OF the School Board for the past year, rs summed
up in their report, are AZ, 229 dollars.
Now what strikes forcibly the senses Of every
one at this brief and summary comparison. 1t
is something like This. Here is IN adopted child
growing so rapidly as almost 10 reach Its par
ent A few short years and which will be the
largest? And OF this school expenditure, it
seems not all, but only part reap benefit from
it.
in the school report of 1872, il is stated there
are 6,6l4 white children In this county. In the
report of 1873, 1t is stated that the entire num-
Der Of pupils on roll are $685. and that the aver
tge number on roll or In attendance 2,5T2. Here
/. akSg OF one-half of the children of this county,
(betn cen the ages so enumerated by the census
Sspupils of the public schools, or receiving any
. s,eneht from this expenditure.
This is condition Of things which we frank
Nronfess the Board is not responsible for. But
= "a re had the honor of being School Commits
4, a3ier, it would be more encouraging, and much
y Ore desirable to see and feel that this expendi.
ire was benetiting more or all in some degree;
Sld If not, if but one-half it would surely lead
3 to think of it, and to study political econo
Rny. If the people, even those who are called
SSupon to pay for it, are unable or do not more
y readily avail themselves of this school expendi
ture, but show some Indifference, why should
we be DESTROYS of enlarging it, by asking for
moreY Thus it seems to say or present itelf to
. the Board.
Another induccmcnt for economy is striking
~ this This fund was originally designed for
ne education OF the poor children. In years
9ast 1t was exclusively so, when each district
fad two School Commissioners who selected
VT of the private schools, and paid, at the re-
u jmmendation of each teacher, the tuition of
lose pupils that were needy; and by some,
Wen in this day, the public school system is
looked upon as an expenditure somewhat of that
kind, and one in which economy should be eX-
ercised for the benefit of such children.
h And further, let us ask, where does this fund,
fsfhc public school fund, come from? The State
ltt3ld the Taxpayers of the county; and who are
3 payers at this time? The answer that
~ this Board, or even the Board of Coun-
Il II, Smissioncrs, should lead them some
~ study economy. The taxpayers now
is are not the wealthy, but are chiefly
~ tiDwners. The hald working farmers
~ Y, N s3Eestments are not in Government bonds
ponds or mortgages, but i'll the fields
ssss. HIN 8.riving to improve. The above three
9 sA.yt1ylleQcu class. LOYALTY in other
10 aRexempt from tnxation from State, coun
~ or school tax.
1t was formerly the design of wise legislation
to encourage certain class of husbandry by
exempting certain things from taxation. But
now the tables have turned. The government
cXcmpts another class. "Take my bonds, and
hou shalt not pay tax for any purpose; neither
%4chool tax or poor tax, or any other tax"
81 Again, in the report it says, "Harford has been
*rather pioneer in the matter of commodious
Aand suitable school houses" All very well
when there are funds sufficient to meet il. But
2the policy of borrowing money for that purpose,
Sor to cancel the Indebtedness incurred thereby,
is question of doubtful propriety at present
u with the people. We see in the report that nine
X school houses have been erected the past year,
att cost of 10000 dollars, and repairing and fur
nishing, 500 dollars; desks and stoves, 947 dol
4 lars making the sum of II $50 dollars some
thing less than the third of the whole yearly
y school expenditure. What would you think OF
the County Commissioners making an cXpendi-
lure in buildings in one year, something like the
Nhlr1 of their entire expenses? This, we can
~ = think, like Others of this community, too
IN 80 Aspnch in one year. We like to see
IL sand tasteful buildings when put up,
EOut nine such in one year, at such an expendi-
81 IRE, is calculated, we think, to embarrass the
D Aool fund, and to discourage teachers.
Mere is o common sense adagc, "Cut the
ent according to the cloth" Let it be SO
4. To spend SO much in any one year for
purpose, as to require the Board to borrow
ey at probably an increased rate of interest,
ay the teachers, is q stroke Of policy the
sodndness of which may be questioned.
Hartford county long needed an Aims House
and equally needful is fit building for o jail Ii
should be built. But would it be wise to Dor.
row the money and burden the people with scve-
raj such buildings the same year?
Some of the former School Boards made it q
condition in part in erecting school houses, even
to ask or require of the people some aid, in the
particular locality in which 1t was situated
Several were thus constructed
It's apolicy the County Commissioners have
= adopted in improving roads, cutting down hills,
&c 1t works well, calls out an effort from
those more particularly benefited, and renders
1t less burdensome TO the county.
In this review we do not wish to be understood
as encouraging any close or contracted system
for public schools not at all But let there be
gradual and consistent advance; an increase
OF expenditures with an increase of population
And the people will more cheerfully acquiesce
therein, and meet the needful demand. Hercaf.
ter we propose to make comparison between
the advantages, or benefit, accruing to our coun.
~ from this annual school expenditure Of S47, y
OO0; and a similar amount, or the One-half there.
OF, invested to aid in the construction of rail.
!. road, as great public improvement TO this
county. EARNEST.