The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-11-29
MARYLAND School System.

The State Association Of School Commits.
sioners Of Maryland met in Baltimore on
Tuesday, James W. Pearre, Of Frederick
county, in the chair, and T. c. Bruf, Of Balti.
more county, secretary. Nearly every county
was represented.
p. A. Wilmer, chairman, submitted the
following report 1.-THE committee, to whom
was referred the question, what changes, if
any, are needed in our school laws respect,
fully present the following report SO far as
your committee have been able to ascertain
the opinion OF their fellow.citizens, the school
law, US it stands, is fair representation of
the sentiments of the people Of Maryland. 1t
comprises many Of the best features of the
best systems of other States, and is becoming
every year better understood abroad and
more popular at home. The late animated
canvass preceding the election gave fair op.
portunity for u full expression of opinion on
this subject. No opinion adverse TO the sys-
TEN was expressed by any party; on the con.
trary, oil parties Endorsed the general princi-
pie, while majority approved the details of
the law and the mode Of administration.
There are only two points on which any
unfavorable criticism has been made-first,
the method of appointing school commission.
ers; second, the expense Of the system. II
has been claimed that the appointment Of
school commissioners by the judges of the cir.
cult courts is unconstitutional. The only
meaning that can be attached to this word in
the present connection is that the constitution
does not require the judges to perform the
duty, and If they should neglect il there is no
way to compel them to perform it. But as
all the judges, with single exception, have
performed the extra duty cheerfully and sat
isfactorily, there seems TO be no reason to
make change. This method Of appointment
has worked we'll; it is not certain that any
would work better. OF one thing we may be
assured, no centralized system, such as pre-.
vailed from 1866 TO 1868, or such as was pro.
posed in q bill before the Senate at the last
scssion Of the Legislature---in which all the
school commissioners in the various counties
were the creatures Of central board Of edu.
cation-will be accepted by the people of this
State. II any change is made in the present
method Il can only be by substituting for it a
direct election by the people, method to
which there can be no theoretical objection,
whatever practical objections might be urged,
Second. With regard to the expenses Of
the system, your committee would remark
that, while the aggregate is large, II is small
compared with the work that has to be done.
The total annual expenditure for the county
schools, including not only ieachers' salaries,
but buildings, repairs, supervision and every
other expense connected with the administra-
ton, may be stated in round numbers At 5000.
900. For this sum the law requires us TO
provide school facilities for over zoe, 900 pa.
pals. 1t is evident that if oil who have a legal
right TO admission were to avail themselves OF
the privilege the funds would be entirely in.
adequate. The last school report shows that
more than 10000 were educated in the pub.
lie schools during the year. This shows the
cost OF education TO have been but little more
than 50 per capita. live reckon an average
school with one teacher to consist Of thirty
enrolled pupils, then the average cost Of such
school for teachers salary, repairs Of house,
fuel, furniture and supervision, with a pro,
portionate allowance for new buildings, was
only Sz4O. IL is not possible, under present
social conditions, TO reduce this amount with
out destroying the efficiency and risking the
existence Of the schools. 1t is very doubtful
whether the expenditure has not been already
reduced below the point that true economy
would indicate. We may be able TO hold our
own, but the loss Of 500, 600 annually BY the
white schools under the provisions of chapter
81, of 1873, will paralyze our power for
further progress unless the voluntary contri.
buttons Of the people in the several counties
shall make up the deficiency
Prof Newell argued that the school law
st@N @NNH t"htRNANA WIN VI IaAuHtu ~ f0utn
rs the State can now stand. II was not TO be
understood that the committee think the
school law isperfeet, but it is better probably
that no change in II should be made by the
Legislature just az this time.
Prof. Newson favored the report, aud CO.
incided with the vieva OF Prof. Newell.
Mr.. TroxeTl thought a change in the law
would be disastrous 10 the teachers, who
had yet hardly learned the workings 81 the
present law.
Rev. Mr.. Squier argued that after all, the
administration Of the law, to be successful.
must be done properly in the school room.
Mr.. z. A. Wilmer said the association
should use all lis influence 70 prevent any
change being made at this junctnre.
Mr.. Harlan urged that TO elect school CON.
missioners, instead Of their being appointed
by the judges, would bring politics into the
schools, which IL to be deplored. He did
not apprehend that any change would 10 made
af The next session OF ihe Legislature, espe.
tially i tie association put itself Oh record
kghinst H.
After further remarks by Messrs. Thompson
and Scott, the report OF aihe committee was
adopted unanimously.
Messrs. Harlnn, Wilmer and Thompson
we're appointed q ASCERTAIN under what head
the various items which 10 70 make up the
annual report should be charged.
Ola Rboia = ma - A ve.rs oid oe,,ad 4.