The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-06-07
FREE SCHOOLS.
Some Interesting Facts Showing the
Early Deyelopm ent Of the System
in the South.

Baltimore Sun
1t is often assumed by professed monopo-
/ lizers of Knowledge that free schools owe
/ their origin to New Eaglanders The fact
/ is, however, as was shown in q paper read
| recently before the Historical and Political
| Science Association of the John Hopkins
| University, that free schools were established
| in MARYLAND before the close OF the Seven
teenth century. They are first mentioned
in bill dated April 10, 1871, which passed
one branch of the Legislature, but failed
to become a law. The first bill for free
schools approved by both houses was passed
October Is, 1894, BY the aid of Coy. Francis
Nicholson.
at provided for the erection of one free
school at Annapolis, and contemplated the
erection of others in various parts of the
province The first school was erected en-
tirelv by the aid of voluntary subscriptions,
Gov. Nicholson contributing literally, and
nearly every member of the Legislature fol-
lowing his example The school was con-
tinued by revenues arising from special
fines and taxes appropriated for its support.
In 1896 the colony sought the patronage OF
King William for a college to be erected at
Annapolis, which foundation, called King
Williams School, was made by authority
of the Legislature in 1904. In 1923 legis-
lative provision was made for free school
in every county, to be governed by board
of seven visitors. Among the eighty COM
miLteemen thus appointed we find Gov.
Charles Calvert, twelve Coonels and thir-
teen ministers the others being planters and
merchants of acknowledged integrity and
public spirit. These schools were supported
by fines and imposts, including duties upon
the importation of negroes and the expor-
tation of tobacco. Donations from private |
individuals were not infrequent. By a stat
ute passed in 1928 provision was made for
the education of poor children in each |
county. The frequent mention of free |
schools in the statutory law of Maryland at |
tests their popularity and Importance 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 separated), it is remarkable that free
schools were so early established. That |
these schools exercised considerable infu-
ence upon the culture of the people is be-
yond question. Mr. Eddis, in his letters
from America in the last century, remarks
upon the purity and even elegance of Ian
suage in Maryland. OF Annapolis, where
the college was located, he said, few towns
in the British domiuions can boast a more
polished society. The present prosperity of
The school system in Maryland is in no small
1egree the outgrowth of that first planting
TWO centurses ago by wise legislators and
citizens"
The free schools of South Carolina also
ire of ancient date, being coeval with the
parish and the district Says the author of
mother paper read before the same society:
"The early legislators of the colony were
leeply impressed with the Importance of
popular education. So dominent was this
dea that it had much to do with the divis-
on of the counties into parishes, in order to ;
,btain aid from the society in the mother
country for propagating the gospel in for {
ign parts. This society lent its aid in sup
,lying parish ministers and preachers.
oarochial libraries were founded and parish ,
chools were established, at first under the
control of vestrymen. The his
ory Of popular education in South Carolina
lates from these parish beginnings As far
,ack as 1710 free school was es- !,
ablished in Charleston. Similar insti- :
utions were planted at Dorchester,
Beaufort, Ninety-six, St. Thorn ,
s. parish, St. James, Santee and elsewhere. .
Iany of these schools owe their origin to 5
egacies bequeathed them by generous par :
shioners, like Beresford, Ludlan, Childs =
nd others. With the growth of primary
ducation the demand for the higher edu-
alton increased, resulting in the establish .
nent of no less than five colleges and y
everal academies before the expiration /
f the Eighteenth century. Many char i
table societies also maintained schools,
sually for the education of the poor. In G
ONE cases even slaves were taught to read. q
'Ee State constantly encouraged education 4
y donations, immunities, and by vesting y
D school boards escheated property in
illages or parishes. In 1901 the South =
'aroIna College was founded. By the b
ear 1911 the demand for poplar education y
ad SO increased, and the country was being +
} rapidly settled, that a general system of a
zee schools was inaugurated. From this
me on there was, steady increase in edu- N
ational facilities until the outbreak of the 9
ivil war"
The fact is that the propriety of establish f
lg free schools was recognized early by all n
le colonies, and the system attained differ r
ut degrees of development in each quarter, f.
,cording to the varying conditions of den q
ty of population, occupation, etc. 1t is
fashionable whether what has been added y
ON abroad to the original Maryland sys- :,
m has not been in the direction of preten- h
Gus superfcialism rather than real eff +,
ency. si