Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-02-15
COMMUNICATES.


Mr.. Editor-We were gratlhed TO
ace in the last issue Of your paper, 'es-
ter from Col. Baylor in which ne COZ.
rect, the mistake he made at Hall'ona ,
two weeks ago. We felt certain 'ha'
ba would not let such an gorgeous 'ais-
take as that was so uscor1eo';; :. IT,
bs had his attention called 70 IL. LIS
. matter of sarprise, though, TO me, that
. IAN Of Col. Baylors reputed ability,
|" Id hove committed such a mistake,
oos, ,boush there was pressure OF
t ssen or glowing error in the
ST. Supcrintendent's report
We are perfectly aware that our
school system is very defective, and per-
bsps burdensome 10 the people; but
this only makes US the more careful that
no greater injustice shall be attributed
to it, than can properly be laid at its
door.
In his letter, Col. Baylor says some
excellent things, which we can fully ell
dorse. For instance, he says, that"great
injustice would be imposed on our peo-
pie if the Legislature increases the State
school tax from 10 to 20 cents on the
SlOO." This measure, which is now
being pushed through the Legislature
by the members from the ''hoop-pole
counties" is an unfair and injudicious
one. and we hope will be defeated. Our
State school tax is nigh enough already,
and too high for the people OF this sec
ton; and any increase OF taxation Tor
school purposes, especially for the State
School Fund, will operate very serious
" against our Free School system.
Bat in his second attempt to give an
estimate of the cost per scholar, Col;
BAYLOR again falls into error. Instead
ofiaking the actual expenditures for the
rear and from this amount, deducting
the amount paid for the erection OF new
buildings, he jumbles together the un-
expended balance from the previous
wear, the whole levy for 1878, the
whole of the Building Fund, receipts
from the Peabody Fund and from "other
sources" and divides this amount by
the total of scholars, TO get the cest
per scholar, in this county. This IS
very unfair and had We the time we
could easily show why. But we hav'nt
the time or space, so we will let i! pass.
Our estimate of the average daily cost,
per pupil, given in the late Register,
we regard as being about CORRECT.
Respecting the difference in the ex-
pense of carrying on the schools now
and Lefore the war, we will remark,
that Col. Baylor should remember that
the people who were slaves before the
war, and taxable property, are now be
ing educated; and that they pay but a
small proportion of the taxes; nothing
like enough to educate those OF their
own color. Also that many OF our
school-houses that were in good condl-
ton before the war have become old
and worthless and had to be replaced by
new ones; few were also destroyed by
the war; and that up to the present time
The people have paid more taxes, on
this account, than they will have to pay
again for long time in the future.
And in view of this fact, we are safe In
asserting that the schools of the follow
ing year will be operated as cheaply.
comparatively, as before the war.
Now FOR our County Court again, we
find that the people are considerably
Interested in the expenses of this Court,
aud we therefore feel justified in pro
trsc,ing our letter, already lengthy, to
discuSs this matter.
Col. Baylor says III. his letter: at
"Iyan" desires detailed account of the
expenses Of the County Court, he can
readily obtain them by calling on the
Clerk Of the Court, and searching the
records" We have been there; aud
though the records were in constant
use, we succeeded in obtaining the fol
loving statement in reference to the
pay of Magistrates, for holding the 6
terms OF Court; aud which was stated
in the Register TO BE only $25S,OO.
1879