Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-04-08
Common Sense View.
PooLEsv1LLE, April 4th.

iVohSoNibbE, hpiit fIil, 1901
M. Editor Il have read with a great
deal of surprise some of the communica-
tons which have appeared from time to
time in our county papers in regard to the
action of our present Board of County Com
missioners in reference to appropriating ad-
ditional monies for the use of the School
Board. 1t seems to me that an effort is be-
ing made TO have it appear that our Com
missioners are hostile to our system Of COM
mon schools. If i could be made believe
this for one moment, would join in any
movement that would turn them down or
relegate them to private life, however much
might be inclined to defend their efforts at
economical reform, which it is beginning to
be fashionable to decry as demagogism. But
is this the case understand that our pres
ent Board has levied the sum of $14 900
from the county, being levy of over II
cents on every 800 worth of property, for
school purpose This sum, together with
the amount of $4,000 for the white and
$4,000 for the co1ored schools given by the
State, makes the sum of $4,000 annually
passed over into the hands Of the School
Board for the use of the schools for each
year.
| understand that the Treasurer of the
School Board, whilst before the Grand Jury,
stated, presume under oath, that this sum
will keep the schools open at least nine
months in every year.
The School Board had some unusual ex-
penses the present year to meet, in paying
back debts which they thought necessary to
pay and in defending suits which they
thought necessary TO defend. Suppose that
they had thought proper 10 pay all the old
debt and had come before our Commission
ers with an empty exchequer would any
one be bold enough 10 say that they ought
TO have levied in addition sum sufficient
to run the schools for the whole year?
understand that our Commissioners are
of the opinion that this old debt will have
to be paid, but as 1t was created without
their sanction, they must be authorized
10 pay it before they will levy any money
for its liquidation. Whatever may be our
opinion as to this position, it is one at least
that requires careful consideration. Now
the question comes up-cannot our schools
be carried on for the sum named above if
the whole amount is used for the purposes
intended and rigid economy is applied? |
know that they cannot build school houses
at every cross roads or employ teacher at
every farm house, but l believe we can have
q school wherever absolutely required, and
that they can be carried ON during the whole
year without being compelled to allow our
teachers any extra time for a little trip
| conceive that il is better and safer for us
to try and get along with a tax of 81 cents,
az from county and 10 from State) already
levied ON property, rather than run the risk
Of increasing il TO such an extent that tax
payers who now cheerfully contribute that
! amount may become FESTIVE, and the whole
/ system become unpopular. Let well enough
alone" is an old adage and one peculiarly APP
| plicable when an increase of taxation be-
comes the subject with taxpayers. Whilst
perfectly agree with the present position
of our Commissioners as ! understand it, |
I have yet no doubt but that, if it shall APP
pear, when these old debts are liquidated,
| that the present amount annually levied is
not sufficient to run the schools for the whole
/ year, after rigid economy has been prac
4 ticed, that then they will endeavor by all
means in their power TO remedy the evil
but they have the right to demand that the
money levied for the current year, and that
amount only, shall be spent for the object
for which it was appropriated They have
also the right TO expect that all petitions or
addresses from coordinate branch Of our
county government shall be clothed in re-
spectfu. language and presented in re-
spectful manner,
i1tb uo ltSOilcCb ludt ih Jul f9IHOpl
had their extraordinary expenses 10 meet, so
also our Commissioners were required to
make extra levies for county expenses
They had to pay off bonds already over
due of $4,000, and in addition the sum of
x6,0S3 for the purpose of opening new
roads and repairing bridges. Whilst the
interests of our schools must be looked at
ter with a watchiul eye, other interests must
also bear due consideration.
Mr.. Editor, am not an apologist for our
County Commissioners, do not think tina,
they need any, nor am ! M antagonist OF
our present School Board, but | sec that
some parties are trying TO lug this question
into our politics in the hope of making
capital for themselves or friends, beg the
friends Of our common school system never
to allow this to he done. We must only
ask for what is right--we will never he con
tent with less. \ DEMOCRAT.