Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-11-28
School system.

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the counties Of the State were represented.
The committee charged to inquire into the
completeness or incompleteness Of the State
school law made the following report, which
is taken from the Sun:
p. A. Wilmer, chairman, submitted the
following report: "The committee to whom
was referred the question what changes, if
any, are needed in our school law ? respectful
ly present the following report: So far as
your committee have been able TO ascertain
the opinion of their fellow-citizens, the
school law, as it stands, is fair representa-
ton Of the sentiments of the people of Md.
1t comprises many of the best features Of the
best systems of other States, and is becom-
ing every year better understood abroad and
more popular at home. The late ami
mated canvass gave a fair opportunity for
full expression of opinion on this subject.
No opinion adverse to the system was ex-
pressed by any party; on the contrary, all
parties endorsed the general principle, 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
circuit 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 1t 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 satisfactorily,
there seems to be no reason TO make a
change. This method of appointment has
worked well; 1t is not certain that any other
would work better. OF one thing we may
be assured, no centralized system, such as
prevailed from 1866 to 1888, or such as was
proposed in bill before the Senate at the
last session of the legislature-in which oil
the school commissioners in the various
counties were the creatures of central
board Of education-will be accepted by the
people Of this State. If any change is made
in the present method it can only be by
substituting for it direct election
by the peoples 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, it is small
compared with the work that has to be done.
The total annual expenditure for the county
schools, including not only teachers sala-
ries, but buildings, repairs, supervision and
every other expense connected with the adj
ministration may be stated in round num-
bers at 100000, For this sum the law re-
quires us to provide school facilities for over
100000 pupils. It is evident that If all who
have legal right TO admission were to avail
themselves of the privilege the funds would
be entirely inadequate. The last school re-
port shows that more than no. 900 were edu-
Gated in the public schools during the year.
This shows the cost of education to have
been but little more than IS per capita. II
we reckon an average school with one teach
er to consist of thirty enrolled pupils, then
the average cost of a school for teachers
salary, repairs of house, fuel, furniture and
supervision, with proportionate allowance
for new buildings was only $40. 1t is not
possible, under present social conditions, to
reduce this amount without destroying the
efficiency and risking the existence of the
schools. 1t is very doubtful whether the ex-
penditure has not been already reduced be-
low the point that true economy would in
dictate. We may be able to hold our own,
but the loss of 100000 annually by the
white schools under the provisions of chap
ter 81, of 1878, will paralyze our power for
further progress unless the voluntary con-
tributions Of the people in the several coun-
ties shall make up the deficiency"
Prof Newell argued that the school law
had been tempered with or changed as
much as the State can now stand 1t was
not to be understood that the committee
think the school law perfect, but il is better
probably that no change in it should be
made by the Legislature just at this time.
Prof Newson favored the report, and coin
cided with the views of Prof. Newell.
Mr.. Troxell thought change in the law
would be disastrous TO the teachers, who had
yet hardly learned the workings of the pres
ent 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. P. A. Wilmer said the association
should use all its influence to prevent any
change being made at this juncture.
Mr. Harlan urged that to elect school COM
missioners instead Of their being appointed
by the judges, would bring politics into the
schools, which is TO be deplored He did
not apprehend that any change would be
made at the next session of the Legislature.
especially If the association put itself on
record against it.
After further remarks by Messrs. Thomp-
son and Scott, the report of the committee
was adopted unanimously.
Messrs. Harlan, Wilmer and Thompson
were appointed to ascertain under what
head the various items which go to make up
the annual report should be charged.
Mr.. d. T. Laxin, from the committee an
pointed to inquire into and find out, if pos
sible, why the comptroller has not distribu-
ted to the different counties and TO Baltimore
city the amount due each from the surplus
revenue of the Washington branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and withheld
by the comptroller in the year 1877, report
ed that the chairman Of the committee wait
ed upon the comptroller and requested HIM
70 state why this money had not been paid.
Inc reply was that there was no money in the
treasury which could be considered as any
portion OF the surplus revenue referred to
in the act Of 1889, and as there was no pro-
vision made in the appropriation bills pass
ed by the last Legislature, there was no an
thority of law for the payment. The com.
mittee recommend that committee be an
pointed to meet the committee on finance of
the next Legislature, with instructions 10
urge upon II the justice and Importance of
making provision for the payment of this
money. The committee also recommended
that the boards of school commissioners Of
the various counties of the State and of Bal.
timore city be instructed to communicate
with the members-elect of the next Legisla.
ture, giving them all the facts bearing on
this subject, and urging them TO make spe-
clal appropriation TO meet the Just and legal
demand ofthe public schools upon the State.
The report was adopted.
Prof Newell gave an encouraging account
OF the schools throughout the State, as CLEAN.
ed from the reports 80 far as received.
The people Of this country seem run wild
about military heroes and military achieve
ments, and as consequence bronze efiigies
OF departed greatness are springing up in
our national capital as thick as toad-stools
Why is II the American people are becoming
so war-like in their tastesS Are they losing
confidence in our Republican Institutions and
the durability Of civil authority, or is Il the
voluntary tribute OF pride and admiration &c
the men who consecrated their "lves. for.
tunes and sacred honor" to the cause they
believed TO be justs This growing folly with
the weak-mindcd and ignorant 10 do HON.