The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-06
A Bill That Should be Ignored.

Senator Brewers bill to incorporate St
Johns College, at Annapolis, into the public
school system of Maryland, is one that ought
not to pass
The bill provides that on July l, 1856, the
college, with its existing charter, franchises
ETC., as amended, be constituted portion OF
the public school system of the state, and that
the president and secretary of the state board
of education and its several members be made
ex-olficio members of the board of visitors OF
the college. The secretary of the state board
and the secretaries of the county boards, with
the approval of those boards, and with the
aid and cooperation of the college faculty,
are to grade the course of study now pursued
in the public schools, high schools and acad-
emies, so as to facilitate the entrance of their
pupils into the college. All graduates ofsuch
public schools, high schools and academies
capable of being admitted to any classes OF
the college, and all other young men residents
of the state, who will adopt teaching for pro-
fession, shall be entitled to instruction free OF
charge for tuition. In addition to the state
annuity of 50, 900 a year under the act of 1882,
the state treasurer shall pay annually to the
college S12, 900 year, that sum being equiv
alent to per cent. per annum on S3OO,0O0,
the amount claimed to be due from the state
to the college; provided that no part of the
900 shall be paid in case at any time the
college shall seek to revive this debt. The
$4,000 is to be applied to the several educa-
tional branches as enumerated in the BILL
There are several objections to the BILL
First, the state is not called upon to pro-
vide high education. Every citizen of the
state participates in the affairs ofgovernment,
and to do so inteligently tits necessary that all
be educated. Not given an academic or col
legiate education, but taught to read, write
and cipher. This is ample for the purposes
of the state, and it has no right to go beyond.
Education beyond this becomes a luxury, SO
to speak, and an extravaganza, necessitating
increased taxation and imposing additional
burdens upon the Taxpayers of the state.
The bill contemplates a Regarding of the
studies up to and including collegiate edu-
cation.
Second, teaching is profession, and it is
neither lawful nor right that the state should
undertake to fit young men for it. As well
might the state undertake to prepare young
men for law, medicine and dentistry. As well
might it undertake to educate men for the
indispensable trades. Then, too, unless it be
specially prohibited, colored men and youths
would be eligible to admission. To prohibit
them would be class legislation, unless the
state proposes to furnish another college for
their training. 1t is well to look at matters as
they are and must be. There can be no dis
tinction on account of color, and the colored
population of this state is large. tits endeav-
oring to keep pace with the white race, and
if the latter are given advantages the former
can in justice demand equal privileges and
rights, and they cannot be withheld.
Third, the college would be considerable
drain on the treasury of the state. 1t is true
the bill only asks for an annual appropriation,
all told. of S15, 200, but if the bill becomes a
law and the college becomes part of the
public school system, its expenses will have
to be borne by the state, no matter what will
be required. All graduates of public schools,
high schools and academies, and all other
young men of the state, who will adopt teach
ing for profession, shall be entitled to free
instruction at the college. If the bill becomes
law nc one can tell the result. 1t might be
that, as only tuition is free, very few would
avail themselves of the privilege. In that case
the state would be paying dearly for the ben
efts derived. If the privilege be generally
availed of, $4,000 would be an inadequate
sum, and the privilege would have to be de-
MED to some, thus defeating the intent of the
law, or extra appropriations would have to
made.
The bill should be defeated The school
law provides for public school education now
of higher order than necessity demands.
What ought to be done is to reduce the stud
les, abolish the office of State Superintendent
and the State Normal School. The chiei
duty of the State Superintendent seems to be
to receive and publish the reports of the
County Examiners, duty that could be vel
iupOsCu upOu oOuiC ObnGi oe<1eC OhiSSA. AhN
Normal Schools designed for the education o
teachers, and judging from the number o
pianos at the nstitution-eigbt- music seems
to be an important branch.
As to competent teachers, they will be forth
coming without the states aid, when salaries
are Sufficient to command good talent, and
not until then. When competent teachers are
secured the present system will be made more
efficient. In some counties public schools
exist more in name than reality. 1t is not an
advancement of the grade that is needed
The rather, efficient school examiners, com
Portable school houses and competent teachers
with ample salaries