The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-02-14
A NEW SCHOOL BILL.

Senator Peter, of Montgomery county,
has presented new school bill to the
Legislature, the features of which, and
the evils intended to be cured. the fol-
lowing synopsis will indicate. We pass
no opinion upon the merits of the BILL and
so lar as the same involves the official
course of Mr.. Newell, the Principal of
the State Normal School, believe that the
latter institution is Indispensable. Two
weeks ago, Mr.. Nandiver offered reso
luton proposing its abolition. 1t was
intended as blow at Mr. Newell. If he
be incompetent Or inefficient, let him be
removed and another be appointed in his
stead. We understand that he has Il
defence about to be or already published.
Senator Peters new School Bill con-
tains valuable hints and important
statements intended, as he alleges, to
remedy the defects and cut off the eXcres-
cnces of the present school law, modified
after the plan adopted by Mr.. Van Box
liclen in 1864. Mr.. Peter objects to the
present system on account of the power
vested in the Principal of the Normal
school. who also acts as State Superin
tendent of Education, to antagonize the
interests Of academies and collegiate i'll
stitutions. and pcrvert from their original
uses the endewmentS to these seminaries
of learning. Nj. Peter accuses him Of
undue interference in matters not per-
tanning to his lawful jurisdiction, and al
legcs if the principal of the Normal
School confined his attention to his leglti-
mate avocation he would not have the
inclination or the leisure to be otlicionsly
meddlcsome outside his peculiar province.
As trustee cx-oi1cio of the Agricultural
College, he is charged in the bill with at
lacking that institution because the other
trustees did not elect as president of the
college the man of his choice, and mani
ftstiug hostility TO St Johns College be
cause OF its unwillinsne,:' TO submit to
his dictates. The duties OF the Normal
School, if faithfully discharged are suf-
licicntly oncrous for the principal without
rcIegating to him the functions Of State
Superintendent, and making him viz
tualIy CommaEder-in-Ch OF other
teachers i'll the State. It has expended a
hundred thousand dollars in the erection
Of the Normal School. and given ten
thousand five hundred dollars 4 year for
its support. The term Normal SCHOOL,
as interpreted by the law, means neither
more nor less tkan an institution in which
the students are to he 'nerSonS having
scholastic qualifications herein before re
quired for teachers Yet in defiance Of
such express stipulation, model, element
AIRY. aud kindergartenS schools exist in
the Normal buildings. Its principal, iii
addition to his large salary. has another
income as State Superintendent, He and
two members of his family constitute
three out of the four professors allowed
by law to the Normal School. Other
schools connected with the Normal lnsti-
tutc also pay tribute to its principal, so
that the aggregate annual income of
himself and family, as stated by iiF.
Peter. is from $4,000 to S12 ,G00. Mr..
Peter considers that an appropriation Of
four or five Thousand dollars, besides the
tuition fees, would i,e amply sufficient
for the Normal School. Tbs sllpcrin-
tendent is furthermore charged niIi, hay
ing endeayored to appropriate the AGA
demic funds to the support of two insti-
buttons. the State Normal and ST. John $
College. While the State has done its
duty and increased the academic fund of
each county from $500 to sl.200, the
extra 800 We're thrown by local ieyisla-
ton into the public school fund. SO that
none Of the academies received the add
ditioma! amount awarded them by the
Legislature. AZ q result, our academies
languish for want 81 adequate support.
1t is now proposed t" erect, Oh .iia ruins
of those academies that have done good
service to the State il the education Of
| many distinguished men, free high
schools. wh;els will invoive heavy taxa
ton for buildings a:l lie support Of
those schools.
Mr.. Peter farors the establishment IF
one academy in each county. the appoint
lnent Of State Superintendent to super
wise the educational interests of the State
and that the principal Of the Normal
School be confined to his legitimate
duties of supervision and teaching III his
own school, and be relieved from the
SUPPLEMENTARY, truStccship of the Agri-
cultural College. the secretaryship of
the Board of Education and the pre-
pairing of the annual report q the
schools. Such is summary Of the suk-
.astions and important statements of the
school biz Oh which the present Legisla-