The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-03-01
DoubIe Pipe Creek Items.

We understand a petition to the members
of the Senate and House of Delegates is being
circulated in this vicinity, aud for aught we
know it is being handed around in all the
school districts Of the county. The object of
the petition above referred to is the abolition
OF the book-fee system in the state of Mary
land, and to make the schools free schools,
that all who will may come without money
and without price. But let us examine this
matter financially, and see if such an act
would be justifable. The teacher of the
school at this place informs us that he will
collect SIG book rent this term, and that the
SIG is paid by fifteen patrons, eight of whom
pay no tax to the county or state. Abolish
the book rent system and the SeueR must pay
the tax for the entire fifteen. Again, he says
that his salary is $50 per term, and we find
that the book rent about which people are
making such stir, pays more than one-sixth
of his salary. Abolish this, and, taxpayers,
you can expect to have at least three cents on
the 500 added to your taxes to make up the
loss caused by such an action or, kind
teachers, you may have the fun again of hav-
ing your salaries still further reduced. All OF
this is for what? Yes, well may we add
what! For no reason that we can see unless
it is to shun little trouble. The book rent
must be paid or else the patrons must buy
their own books, and there can be no other
way for it. We understand there is no trouble
in his school here, and there is no reason why
it should be anywhere else. Your Sykesville
correspondent hit the nail on the head last
week when he said ''the people do want more
and better schoolhouses and longer terms, :"
but do they want their taxes increased, that
the on-taxpayers may reap the benefit? We
think we voice the sentiments of nine-tenths
if not all the taxpayers of this district when
we say they are totally opposed to any such
legislation. Do not infer that we are an en-
envy to the public schools, for such is not the
case. We know the importance of them, and
if there is any legislation to be done for the
benefit of our schools, there are plenty of
places to begin the work without taking up the
book-fee system.
The Western Maryland Railroad has been
oyerhauling the bridge above town. We I'M
derstand they intend covering it.
Winfield Eiler shipped IA chickens to his
Baltimore merchant last week, and received
SIS for the same.
Mumps and measles are in the neighbor-
hood. No cases have proved fatal that we
have learned of
Elder ID. p. Sayler, who was quite i'll for
several weeks, is now able to be out.
Movings are becoming part of the pro-
gramme for spring operations. A few have
already taken new quarters in our village.
Fred Whitmore returned from Kansas
last week, and we understand he intends set
Ting there.
j. Shorb, one of our enterprising mer-
chants, has been making continual improve
ments on his premises, and the other day he
concluded to dress his barn up in new suit
of paint, which made quite change.
Drummers quite plenty. -Four reported
Wednesday.
Lydia A. Fogle has been quite i'll for few
days.
Martin L. Fogle foreman of the repair gang
of the Western Maryland Railroad, is building
a barn.