Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-03-12
The Public Schools.


The Public Schools.
Mr.. Editor In the Maryland Agricultural
College, of which was a Trustee for about
ten years, there were seven departments, viz:
the Classical department, Mathematical de-
pattment the department of Natural Science,
OF Chemistry, Agriculture and Physiology,
and also the Preparatory department. None
OF our colleges have been able to find q single
trOtessor capable Of teaching all OF these diff
!erent branches. IT became my duty upon
one occasion TO nominate the Professors OF
Natural Science and of Chemistry and Agri-
culture, and also of the Preparatory depart
ment This circumstance naturally drew my
attention more particularly to those depart
ments. To extend the advantages Of the col
ege, the trustees declared it open to all who
had passed creditably through the primary
or public schools of the State.
Upon one occasion, in conversation with the
head teacher of the Preparatory department,
which was considerably the largest class 10
the college, asked how the boys stood and
were grounded who cane into the college
from the public schools OF the State. His re-
ply was, ss II rule that they were very poorly
grounded they had, in many cases, not
learned the first principles of an English edu
cation; there were many who had little
snsttering of Latin, French or German, or Of
Philosophy, Botany or Geology, or a little Of
Chemistry, Mathematics and Trigonometry,
but who could not spell, read or write cor
recty, and were wholly deficient in the prac-
teal branches of common Arithmetic.
asked my self the question, is this the sys-
TEN for which our State has SO generously
provided, and for which the people are so
heavily taxed This information, from gen.
flaman n trradnota IF Iohnic Colla0o and
so well qualified to speak upon the subject,
convinced me that our primary school system
was either radically defective in construction
or in administration, and when the situation
of Commissioner OF primary schools was Of
fersd me, last winter, accepted il only las
those with whom | conversed will bear me
wltness) because Of the opportunity il gave TO
look into the practical working of the system,
to see il there were defects 10 its organization
or administration, and if so. TO learn how
either or both could be remedied and improved.
This examination very soon brought me TO
the conclusion that there was moro to be cor
rected in the management of the schools and
school fund than In a change of the law I'M
der which the system was established Hence
the decided steps which have been taken by
the present board (my honorable colleagues,
| an proud TO say, cordially uniting with me
of the county fund, which already promises
good results, and which, together with the State
fund, ia the foundation upon which the sys-
TEN must stand or fall.
This much for n beginning; but how we
have been thwarted and embarrassed, and the
teachers disappointed and deprived Of their
quarterly dues and hard earned salaries, the
public already know. This disappointment,
hard as ii is upon the teachers, who are the
greatest sufferers, and whose patience entities
them % the sympathy Of the public, may yet
lead 10 some good. 1t has already proved
that We have enough law on the subject, for
of all the many changes proposed in the pres
eut Legislature, none go further than TO
change the mode of appointing County School
Commissioners. 1t is truo, this is very i'm
portrait change, for the practical management
Of the schools hinges upon the good or bad
appointments in filling this Office.
The present mode of filling the office Of
County School Commissioners by the Judges
of the Circuit Courts in the several counties
has resulted generally in proper appointments,
from better understanding and a greater de-
gree of Significance given to the words, for
the FIRST time put into the 43d Article Of the
Bill OF Rights Of the Constitution of 1867, viz !:
The Legislature ought to encourage "a Judi
cious 81 stem of geAeral education" These
words do not occur either in the Constitution
Of 1850 or that of 1864. They were pur-
posely and for an object put into the Consti-
tuition OF 1867.
remember when Gen. Jackson recommen J.
ed "a judicious tariff, - he was laughed at and
an attempt was made TO turn him into rdi-
cule for using so vague aud indefinite a term
as a "judcous tariff" but Old Hickory was
a practical man and knew what he was about
He knew that the word jadicious meant what
was prudent wise aud practical 1t was in
tended as the means best adapted TO good
end-hat which would produce the best re-
sUts-and hence lis introduction into the pres
ent Constitution, by body composed mostly
OF his personal and po.nira. admirers.
This judicous organization in connection
with the through system required in the
9Th article of the Constitution, led the Leg
isialure into the experiments it made in the
spring of 1868 and 1870, as pointed out in
my article of last week, and in connection
with the authority given in the latter clause
of the 10th section, article 4, part 3, entitled
Circuit Courts, where they are to perform
all the duties which the present Circuit Courts
OF the State now (then) have and exercised,
'or which may hereafter be prescribed by
law How will our constitutional hair-split-
tiers get over this Here is the direct and ex-
plicit authority to the legislature by law,
hereafter lin tho respective counties TO
confer additional powers and duties upon
Judges of the Circuit Courts. Therefore,
when the Legislature by trial aud experience,
found that the County Commissioners were
notths most judicious body 10 appoint Coun-
~ School Commissioners; that the election
by the people was often governed by other
consideration than the most wise and Judi
cous selection Of County School Commission
ers. IA naturally turned TO the Judges, who
from the nature of their appointment and
duties, and the frequency with which they
were annually brought into contact with all
classes OF people in their respective counties,
as the best, most safe and judicious body on
which to confer this authority Their Judi
cal training and practice naturally would
lead the minds OF the Judges to wise and
judicious selections. Experience aud results
have shown that with the Judges is the best
depository OF this trust. A duty, the per-
iormAnce OF which, is not judicial, but as in.
dividuals, whose position enables them more
wisely aud discreily for the public good, TO
discharge this duty than the Executive or any
other body OF men in the State.
Against these plain requirements Of the
Constitution aud the authority directly con-
ierrea upon the Judges Of the Circuit Court,
as above shown, II becomes necessary, rs was
eAet ehhRM AAeA NNNhf ftA AhNeF WIN NtuN
the consttulionality Of the act OF 1917 10
point IL out. THIS has not yet been done,
aud | will venture TO add that il cannot be
done. Against this assertion we bare the adj
Indication by the Circuit Cour OF Anne
Arundel county in the mandamus school
ease against the Comptroller from Prince
Georges county. The adjudication the other
day by Judges Alvey aud Motier Of the ALLIE
gany school ease, aud the refusal Of Judge
Miller 10 entertain even the Montgomery case
brought before him upon this very ground
II Is not the first time either Ia this Or other
States that judges have been called upon TO
perform similar aud perhaps more responsible
duties
Chief Justice Buchanan, while upon the
bench, was sent TO Europe to negotiate the
IS, 600, 600 loan in 1886
Many years ago a law was passed giving TO
the Judges Of Montgomery County Court the
power TO appoint road supervisors. lodges
dorsey aud Chambers, besides sitting rs mem.
befs Of the convention In 1850, las did also
Judge Carmichael IN 1851 aud Chief Justice