Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-26

Mr.. Editor In the Report of the Grand
Jury to the Court, there were some excel.
lent suggestions, as well as good actions
particularly with reference to some more
summary and economical mode of dispos-
ing Of the many small cases which encum-
Der tho docket of the Court, and add so
largely TO the expenses of the county. Sug-
gestions have been made in various quar-
tiers for enlarging the jurisdiction of Justices
OF the Peace, and giving them plenary
power over cases of assaults and battery
and petty larceny. Precedent for this ia TO
be found in the authority already vested in
Magistrates over the crime of drunkenness
and the vulgar practice Of cursing and
swearing. The Justice has the power under
existing statutes TO punish both these OF.
fences by fine and imprisonment; also in our
public school law to the extent of fine of
twenty dollars, or imprisonment for thirty
days, or both, as punishment for disturbing
a school while in session. See Art 81, sec.
"A. Law is made up of custom and prece-
dents, and here are three statutes bearing
directly upon the recommendation of the
Grand Jury.
There was also in the same paper an ex
cellent article Of your own on the public
school question. Citing the recommended
tons several years ago of Charles Francis
Adams, Jr., and the experience under il of
the schools in Quincy, Massachusetts. Com
mon sense would seem to confirm the Just.
ness of your remarks and the wisdom of
the schools in Quincy in adopting the re-
commentator of Mr.. Adams against the
modern practice Of crowding so many differ
ent branches OF study at the same time upon
the young and immaturcd mind. Youth Is
the time for physical as well rs intellectual
development Not only is there danger of
dwariing the body and iniuring the health,
but the greater danger and certainty of dis.
sipating the mind so that il never will learn
the important lesson If fixing II long enough
on any one thingf for success. Edward Ever
EFT spoke TO the same effect, and the CITY of
Boston having become dissatisfied with its
present elaborate system in discussing the
same limitation.
The Glrard College, in Philadelphia, so
richly endowed by the practical philanthro-
phist, and successful merchant and broker,
stephen Girard, was established under in.
structions left In his will 10 educate boys 80
as 10 nj them for the practical duties of life
such was also the intention and direction Of
Mcdonald in founding farm school" for
the poor orphans Of Baltimore and New
CA'N""oi NJ" "hi eiou w say iipul Teironhi
observation that the trustees Of the Balti-
moro school are faithfully executing the inn
portant trust coniidcd 10 them by carrying
into effect the will and wishes Of the tesla.
tor. Such was also the character Of tho
schools in which the late Quaker philan.
throphisi, Thomas Wilsc, OF Baltimore, in
his life time took so deep an interest, and for
which be has left some provision In his will.
All OF these mon accumulated large for
tunes, and had learned from practical ex-
pcrience, rs well as from study and obser-
Walton. the kind Of education best suited 10
qualify those who were 10 succeed them for
and the great battle Of life. May
we not learn a lesson from such examples I
worthy Of study in the management Of /
our public schools. ADD. I
GREENWOOD, Dec. 20, ~