Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-18
OUR FREE SCHOOLS.
A Leaf From the History of the Colonies
Showing the First Steps Taken
Toward
The Education OF the People or the
South-Sehools in Maryland and
South Carolina.

BALTIMORE, June 13.-The Sun SAYS: 1t
Is often assumed by professed monopolizers
OF knowledge that free schools owe their orr
GIN to New Eng flanders The fact is, how
ever, as was shown in paper read recently
before the Historical and Political Science
Association of the John Hopkins University,
that Tree schools we're established in Mary
land before the close Of the seventeenth CEN
fury They are first mentioned in bill
dated April Is, 1911, which passed one
branch OF the Legislature, but failed TO be-
come a law. The first bill for free schools
approved BY both Houses was passed October
IS, 1894, BY the aid of Governor Francis
Nicholson. 1t provided for the erection of
one free school at Annapolis, and contem-
plated the erection Of others in various
parts of the province. The first school
was erected entirely by the aid of
voluntary subscriptions, Governor Nichol-
son contributing literally, and nearly
every member OF the Legislature fol-
lowing his example. The school was con-
tinued by revenues arising from special
lines and taxes appropriated for its support.
In 1886 the colony sought the patronage of
King William for college to be erected at
Annapolis, which foundation, called King
Williams School, was made by authority OF
the Legislature in 1704. In 1928 legislative
provision was made for a free school in every
county, 20 be governed by board of seven
visitors. Among the eighty committeeman
thus appointed We find Governor Charles
Calvert, three colonies and thirteen min
listers, the others being planters and mer-
chants OF acknowledged integrity and public
spirit. These schools were supported by
tines and imposts, including duties upon the
Importation OF negroes and the expectation
OF tobacco. Donations from private in
dividuals were not infrequent. By a
statute passed in 172S provision was
made for the education of poor children
in each county. The frequent mention
of free schools in the statutory law of
portance in the minds of legislators, who
fairly represented the better sense OF the
colony. Considering how slowly Maryland
grew, how isolated her people were their
manor houses being widely separately, it is
remarkable that free schools were so early
established. That these schools exercised
considerable influence upon the culture OF
in his letters from America in the last CEN
fury, remarks upon the purity and even ele-
gsnce of language in Maryland. OF An
napolis, where the college was located, he
said few towns in the British dominions can
boast more polished society. The present
prosperity of the school system in MARYLAND
is in no small degree the outgrowth of that
nrst planting two centuries ago by wise leg
islators aud philanthropic citizens"
The free schools of South Corolina also
are of ancient date, being coeval with the
parish and the district. Says the author of
another paper read before the same society:
1.-THE early Legislators of the colony were
deeply impressed with the Importance Of
popular education. So dominant was this
idea that it had much to do with the division
OF the cosnties into parishes, in order to
obtain aid from the society in the mother
country Tor propagating the gospel in for
elgn parts. This society lent its aid in
supplying parish ministers and preachers
Parochial Libraries were founded and parish
schools were established, at first under the
Immediate control of vestrymen. The his
tory OF popular education in South Carolina
dates from these parish beginnings As far
back as ITO free school wss established
in Charleston. Similar institutions were
planted at Dorchester, Childsbury, Beaufort,
Ninety-Six, st. Thomas's Parish, st. james
Santee and elsewhere. Many of these
schools owe their origin to legacies be-
queatbed them by generous parishioners,
like Beresford, Ludlam, Childs and
others. With the growth of primary edu-
cation the demand for the higher educa-
ton increased, resulting in the establish
ment OF no less than five colleges and sew
eral academies before the expiration of the
eighteenth century. Many charitable socie-
ties also maintained schools, usually for the
education of the poor. In some cases even
slaves were taught to read. The State con-
stantly encouraged education by donations,
immunities, and by vesting in the School
Board escheated property in the villages or
parishes. In 1901 the South Carolina Col
lege was founded. By the year 1911 the de-
naDd for popular education had so in
creased, and the country was being go rap
idly settled, that a general system of free
schools was inaugurated. From this time
on there was steady increase in educa-
tional facilities until the outbreak of the
civil war" The fact ia that the propriety of
free schools was recognized early
by all the colonies, and the system attained
different degrees of development in each
quarter, according to the varying conditions
of density of population, occupation, etc. 1t
is questionable whether what has been added
from abroad to the original Maryland sys-
tenn has not been in the direction of preten-
tious supericialism rather than real eff
cheney.