The Baltimore County union., 1881-12-24
THE APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL
COMMISSIONERS,

We do not often aliude 10 endorsements Of our
course when the readers Of the UsIox kindly send
Us words Of approval, but under the present cir.
eumsianee' We cannot refrain from doing so as il
indicates how our remarks on the appointment Of
School Commissioners have been received. They
have excited an interest In the county far beyond
our antieipations. We have already received sew.
eral letters from Democrats and Republicans alike
every one Of which expresses q most hearty ap.
Proval. They all agree In the propriety Of
having the complexion ofthe School Board entire.
ly nOn-Partisan. We are much pleased to Cad
public sentiment and opinion so outspOken and
unanimous. but, on serious reflection, how could
they be otherwise from whatever position the
question is viewed with the appointing power In
the hands Of the Judges Of the Circuit Court. Tn.
der the present school law they are the fountain
head Of power because they appoint the Com.
missioners who manage, direct and control the
entire public school system Of the county. We do
not believe for moment that our honorable Judge,
could be induced under any circumstances 20 make
corrupt appointments. On the other hand We do
entertain the opinion that Il nee IL the occupation
Of their judicial minds but for very short time
before they would render the opinion that the
School Board Of the county should have Republi.
can representation In Il, TO remove II absolutely
from the slightest suspicion Of being q partisan
body. One Of our approving friends in his letter
asks US how the Judges could now change from
their previous mode Of selection. We answer,
they can do so very readily. The question has
now been called 10 their attention for the irst
time and the fairness, justness and impartiality
Of Il is apparent that there will he no hesita.
tiOn in coming to decision.
A few years since when the School superin.
tendeut, Prof. Newell, asked the Examiners Of the
State II there was any need for q change in the
mode Of appointing the School Commissioners,
they replied in the negative and unanimously en-.
dorsed the present mode Of appointment by the
Judges and gave as the strongest reason that such
mode Of ofappointment removed the management Of
the public schools FROM the vortex Of politics. We
have the State School Report in our Office aud
copy one Of the replies on th. subject because Of
it, relevancy and pertincnce Il IL the reply Of
one Of the successful and efficient Examiners
in the State and who /. at present member Of the
State Board Of Education. p. A. Wilmer, Esl.,
Examiner Of Washington county:
"Thc appointing power Is conservative, compar.
aiively permanent, and ye; possesses full power
for supplying the places Of inefficient officers.
Their intei gencc, presumed imp partalty aud dis.
erection. make them excellent judges Of the fitness
Of the appointecs or incumbents, and where good
and efficient Commissioners are in Office they may
be retained as they ought TO be. This, ue regard
a. the fundamental principle Of civil service Te.
form, that when competent aud honest men are
called 20 the performance Of purely Alministra.
tive or executive duties they should be retained.
The appointing power ought 60. and does. in
ihi. county. select Commissioners from both po.
litical parties, 40 as to representation oi
each party in the Board. We regard thi, a. a
highly important feature. bat shall not stop 20 d.
euss it, advantages We believe them to be ap.
parent to every thoughtful person.
speaking for our own county we believe the
great majority Of cur people have the fullest con
hdenee in the integrity and fairness Of the ap.
pointing body and do not desire = change in the
mode Of appointment.