Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-07-01
(coxnuxrcA1ED.
Mar LsoxAnDrows, Nh.
June 26th, 1875.

Mar LHoxAnDfowx, ED-,
June 26th, 1875.
NJ. Editor ~ perceive that some
ANONYMOUS correspondent In noticing
nv communication on School Matters"
published in the issue Of the BRAook Of
18th instant, states that / must have
constructed my theory or formed my
conclusions before / fixed my premises,
&c. That "my conclusions cannot be
logically deduced from my figured prem
ises," DC. will respectfully state to
the readers of the BKAcox that my
premises we're known to me long before
/ wrote line upon ''School Matters"
and were clearly and distinctly stated
at he-time in my communications upon
those subjects. am at loss 70 know
what conclusions those were in my last
communication which has 90 provoked
the gentleman's ire. If any one will
refer to that letter they win find that
the only conclusion there deduced from
nv figured premises was that in which
said, in speaking of the surplus on
hand at the end oftbe year Sufficient
presume to meet all demands for me-
cessary repairs of those school houses
and other necessary purposes, and shows
how munifcently the last Legislature
provided for the education Of colored
children" IL there anything illogical
- tAas On docs % shUw . s0isposition
on my part to stir up indignation against
the Board" as the gentleman charges?
It rather shows an intention on my part
to call attention to the hberality Of the
last Legislature in providing for the ed.
ucation of this class of citizens. No in
timation was INDUCED in of an inten-
ton on the part of the Board" to make
improper use of this surplus. On the
contrary, / intimated the purpose to
which it might be applied, namely -
the repair of the school houses, &c. 1t
is true I stated, that when the State ap-
preparations was $50, 900 the salaries of
the teachers were more than they are now
that the appropriation is 500, 900, with
the same number of schools in opera
ton; but this is nothing more than the
simple fact, and attempted no deduc-
ton or inference therefrom, being con-
tent to leave the public to form their
own conclusions. This, therefore, may
be set down as part of the figured
premises. It will also be observed that
in speaking of this appropriation I
neither expressed appreciation or oppo-
sition to it. ! make this explanation
for myself. At what then is the gen.
tleman so incensed? It must be the
publication Of the figured premises
themselves. Alas for those figured prem
ises, and the deductions naturally de-
ducible therefrom. seem so unpalatable
to your correspondent, that Icould wish
for his especial benefit they had been
different; but facts are stubborn things,
figures will not lie, and it were as i'm
possible for those premises to be differ
ent from what they were as for 1.-The
same thing to be and not to be at the
same time" proposition that I pre-
sumo the gentleman, with all bis learn
ing, science and genius will not attempt
to deny. But the gentleman would have
the people believe that I wish to stir
up the wrath and indignation of the
public against the Hon. School Board,
and he would also have them think that
/ am Influenced by mercenary motives.
Why, l said nothing about myself, and
when my first communication on "School
Matters" was written Ito which, how
ever, he is not replying) and published
in issue of BEACON of 3rd June, was
not teaching, having resigned some
weeks previous, the Board" had set
tied with me-owed me nothing. They
had refused to pay any attention to a
petition requesting that the reduction
made in the salaries of End grade teach
ers be refunded, for both white and COL
ored schools, and that they be raised to
what they were before. Therefore had
nothing to hope for from them pecuni-
arily, and could write disinterestedly in
the matter, and even if I had, the pub
lica.:on of my articles on school matters
could not be supposed to have the effect
of conciliating the Board" My last
letter, to which he replied, was but a
further confirmation Of some facts stated
in my frst with regardto colored schools.
In that first communication I did diff
fer with the Board with regard to the
reduction of the salaries of second grade
teachers of all the schools without dis
tinction, and the closure Of SO many of
them, and supported my views with ar
guments presented ard language couch
ed in respectful terms. Iexpressly dis
claimed any intention to cast reflection
on the Board or to intimate that thew
were not acting honestly with the funds
or without warrant Of law, in using the
discretion contided 70 them, and to show
how far I was from desire to do that
Hon. Board injustice I quoted the Sec
ton of law in full under which the schools
were closed. But with regard to my
second communication, to W hich your cor
respondent replied, I merely stated the
premises and facts and deducted no de-