The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-03-08
Public School System.

The ADvocATEs article on reducing the
number of studies to be taught in the public
schools to photography, reading, writing,
arithmetic, geography and English grammar,
has been approvingly copied inquite number
of Maryland papers, and the other articles on
public schools and book fees have been
strongly endorsed by taxpayers and others
of Carroll.
The branches enumerated above are all that
should be taught in the public schools-not
all that good citizen ought to know. He
should be familiar with the history of his
state and country, and with the state and fed
eral constitutions Teach him to read, and
he can study them for himself Any history
introduced into the schools would be subject
to objection. There are many important
events about which people differ widely, and
parents would not like children taught that
which they do not hold to be true. As to the
constitutions, also, there is vast difference
as to construction and meaning. Upon the
federal constitution the greatest minds OF the
country have always differed, do differ, and
always will Able men disagree upon certain
sections of our state constitution. If teachers
are called upon to teach history and expound
constitutions, they will teach and expound
them according to their understanding.
Besides, while other studies than those
given above are unnecessary and should not
be taught at the public expense, a curtailment
would lessen the cost and render the schools
more efficient Under the present require
ments teacher cannot instruct properly more
than thirty scholars. If he has to teach the stu
dies mentioned and physiology, history, book
keeping, philosophy, &C., beside, he cannot
do Justice to himself or his scholars. If he
have but the six studies enumerated he can
teach fifty, sixty or more, and do 1t better
than he can with thirty, with greater diver
sity of studies By reason of this ability to
instruct greater number of children, some
schools could be consolidated and some assis-
tants dispensed with.
Unless the people agree to an increase OF
not less than five cents upon the 500, or lend
personal aid and have the costs reduced, the
public schools of Carroll will soon become
mere apologies for schools There is a strong
sentiment against an increase OF taxation,
even from patrons of schools. The School
Board is hampered with debt of some S5,O00
or Whereabouts. Without more funds, it will
require great economy in the entire system to
carry on the schools and liquidate the debt IN
the next two or three years, without allowing
anything for new school houses or repairs.
Notwithstanding this, some persons would
still further cripple the Board by abolishing
book fees and thereby lessen the revenues
about So, 500. Such curtailment would re-
suit in lessening salaries of teachers or reduc-
ing the number of terms.
The public school system of Maryland was
started wrong. The law contemplated too
much at the beginning, and does to-day. Had
the studies required to be taught only en-
braced photography, reading, writing, arith-
metic geography and grammar at the outset,
the system would by this time have been effi-
Gent Instead, however, nearly every School
Board in the state is in debt; the people
are clamoring for new school houses every
where and in most counties teachers are
poorly paid Schools ought to be maintained
for four terms, school houses should be SUI
stantial and comfortable, and teachers should
receive not less than $500 per year. II the
school system had been started right, and not
contemplated too much, such would be the
case to-day. The system, to be worth mann
tanning at all, must be changed so as to en-
brace fewer branches or more money must
be raised.
There is a good deal of bosh and buncombe
on the school question-entirely too much for
the good of the system and the public. The
question should be discussed and dealt with
in an open and frank manner, as other mat
tiers are Public schools are popular, and
most people are aiming at popularity
when it costs something. Instead ofpetitions
to reduce the present revenue, petitions should
be presented to the legislature asking a re-
ducton of the studies to be taught to those
actually necessary. In addition the people
should assist the School Board by promptly
paying book fees, by donating fuel or selling
it at reduced figures, and by contributing for
repairs and new buildings.