The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-02-16
ACCIDENT, Md, Feb. nth. 1884,
DR.. A. F. SPEICHER,
ANNAPOLIS, Md,
DEAR Doctor

.
ANNAPOLIS, Md,
DEAR DOCTOR:
We have been sleighing for seven
weeks. Business has been moderately
lively and the health of the people
generally good. We promised some
time since that you should hear from
us again, and we also made use of the
exclamation alas for Garrett! We
wrote the letter public with several
objects in view, the principal one be-
ing to call the attention of our tax
payers more directly to the state of
affairs generally existing at Annapo-
lis, and to throw little more direct
light on affairs in Garrett county.
from the standpoint of an old resi-
dent, tax payer and formerly a
school teacher, and Lying in one of
the outlying districts of Garrett coun-
ty. There seems to be an idea exist.
ing that our people as a general rule
are ignorant. and also Indifferent to
general affairs. 1t has been my for
tune to meet and know a pretty large
proportion of the citizens and tax
payers of Garrett, and l can attest to
the fact that as rule our people are
intelligent and well posted generally,
and sincerely hope that the practice
cOroo rI1hlio Cnooly arS haxya Of 70 ipu
to us as to school room of children
will be discontinued, for it is a never
recurring insult. Now am not giving
anybody taffy. / simply desire to call
attention to the fact that our people
are not so easily hood winked as might
be imagined, as sort Of preliminary
to what / may have to say regarding
matters of public import. l know the
constituency of THE REPUBLICAN
to be large, and hence my desire and
duty to "speak out in meeting"
The condition of our public school
affairs appeal urgently for relief. The
indictment is a strong one: Men
not in sympathy with the free school
system, and with their minds intent
on outside business, have presided
over our school affairs for years.
With onerous taxation, a large and
increasing school debt, our school
terms shortened, the standard of quail
ification for teachers at the lowest ebb,
our examinations farce, no super
vision of schools as required by law.
no interests in schools or methods of
teaching, no teachers institute to en-
courage teachers and parents, new and
high priced books being constantly
forced on the people. worthless in
characters and poor in binding, our
schools retrograding in scholarship as
we'll as department. salaries of officers
raised out of all proportion to the
work performed, and a condition of
what might be termed general de-
moralzation of our school affairs.
Relief has been promised from An
napolis, but it so far has been hope
deferred. Events lately traspiring in
the county are not reassuring. New
men have taken the helm, but we are
treated with the spectacle of the ex-
aminership used as a political foot
ball, going not to one of the many
practical and qualified teachers ofthe
county, who should naturally as
further incentive fall heir tO,the posi-.
ton, but to the man for the present
on top of the county machine, and a
representative of the power of that
supreme autocrat of our school affairs
ct Baltimore, Professor Newell, the
widest. shrewdest politician in the
state, who in, turn himself bows in
allegiance to the man, enthroned the
boss of the ring,
LhOpe Imay not tire you. You