The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-12
The Carroll School System.


When the Democratic party took control of
the public schools in 1868 there was turned
over to them the sum of $40, 697.96 of in
vested funds which they have since expended,
and in addition thereto, notwithstanding the
increased levies from year to year, are now
in debt to the extent of not less than $4,000
to $4,000.
This is one of the declarations the local
Republican platform. But for the hostility OF
the Republican managers to the School Elk
aminer, this plank would not have been in
serted This is the 'malignity' alluded to
by the ADVOCATE in characterizing the plat
form last week.
This old story about invested funds has
twice been exploded, but it was desired to
attack the School Examiner, and to do so 1t
was necessary to attack the school system
also.
The ADVOCATE has never regarded the
School Board as a Democratic body. 1t is
appointed by the judges of the Circuit Court,
and is composed of gentlemen of both politi-
cal parties. There is nothing partisan in its
selection Of text books, the appointment of
school trustees or in the issuing of teachers
certificates.
As the Democratic paper of Carroll, the
ADVOCATE has never felt called upon to de
fend the School Board for any of its acts. and
we would not now come to its defense, ex-
cent that the resolution is misleading and
gives the impression that the school manage
ment is incompetent and the schools inferior.
The resolution is an attack upon the good
name of the county. upon the School Board,
the school officers and the teachers.
During Republican rule in Carroll the
school system was partisan throughout. It's
now non partisan, and every person who be
lieves in public education should uphold the
school authorities in every endeavor to pro
vide comfortable school houses and cOmpe-
tent teachers and to extend school facilities.
In our form of government, the intelligence
of the people is the basis. Government IS
good or inefficient as the people are intelli
gent or ignorant, and it is the part Of wisdom
for the State to provide educational advant
ages at public expense.
The resolution is misleading when it as.
serts that the School Board is in debt $50,
OOO. The amount, We are informed, Is not
near that figure, but if the ratio of expendi
ture iuaugurated by the Republican Board o.
1856 had been maintained by subsequent
Boards. it would be in debt far beyond that
amount and would probably have had bat lIitlt
to show for 1t,
A large portion Of the invested funds o.
Sc. 6q7. gd, as recorded on the books Of the
School Treasurer when the Republican Board
relinquished control in 1865, was found to BE-
in worthless securities aud judgments, from
which nothing was ever realized. Then IL Is
well known tbSi no school tax was levied By
the County Commissioners for two years.
The residue had to be converted into cash
from time 10 time aud used for the building
and furnishing of school houses and other
necessary expenses. except the $500 OF
Taneyiown ground reuis, the greater part OF
which Is stall held by the School Board, and
what Is kEown as the State Free School
Fund, the interest Of which IS ssiil annually
received from the State Comptroller
When the non partisan Board assamed con
,rol-she resolution says the Democratic
party according TO The report Of the Re
publican County seperin'eadens, Mr.. J. H.
Christ. The Board swued Dot seven school
houses in the county, and no furniture at all
worth speaking Of ME. Chrisss report
SAYS.
''The larger portion Of the schooihouses in
the county arr unfit for any civilized man 10
teach in, and the furniture Is IN evea worse
condition than the houses themselves. Ia
these old baildings. With beaches without
backs. and desks Of pine boards extending
around the sides, hffy or sixty children are
compelled 70 spend the day, crowded 80
ihickly that comfort $ entirely out Of The
question. And yet. bad - they
are, the most Of them are claimed 10 have
been built by the citizens Of the respective
districts, for their own Gses, and have never
been decided to the county.
The county nov owus Ii0 houses con
crete. log. stone, 20 frame and 81 brick
embracing ia al is2 roens-
The desks Of pine boards extend iug
around the sides. and the "beaches wiibou;
backs, have entirely disappeared from The
county, and have been replaced with modcra
and comfortable furniture.
Thus the FIRST buxaboo Of the school fund
charge Is sammarily disposed Of, IS We do no'
consider that the policy Of taking the fands
on, Of uncertain aud peTizhing Investments
and putting them into tangible aud durable
property for the use Of the school children,
needs any defense.
A brief omparsson Of the Official 6gares
for 1886 and issg ooaelusively demonstrates
where the economical management has been
County Superintendent Chrs,'s report FOR
1866 does no, show the minuieness Of detail
and elearnezs Of statement which character
iEes school reports Of the present day, bat it,
figures are MT difficult 70 aaalyae
Ia that year there we're ia operation, dur.
lug the fall term, 20 schools with 500 pupils;
during the wiater term, 81 schools with 462O
pupils; and during the spriag term 40 schools
with 222s pupils or an average Of 60 schools
for three terms. With ssla pupils, at a total
cost Of So, 2oI -, or an average cost Of $3.50.
so for each school, and Of s6.9a FOR each
pupil.
In 1889, the year which closed Sept. Both
ult., there were in operation, We are informed,
during three terms, rs schools, counting as
they did in 1866, with $685. pupils, at total
cost Of Sfi, $40, or an average cost Of S2ss. 80
for each school. and Of S6.2s for each pupil.
In 1866, the Republican School Board
spent for books and stationery for 50 schools,
with S8l9 pupils, for three terms, S47s6.42.
In 1889, the present school board spent for
books and stationery, for l45 schools, with
1865 pupils, for three terms, SSlol.s0.
Ia 1867, the school board paid in salaries
and counsel fees:
County Superintendent. $3.50
Treasurer. 0uV
COmmlssloners........... -..-..........-.-.- ON
Counsel liU
s2l6O
In 1889 the present board paid
Secretary, Treasurer and Examiner, 1920
1uO
COmmlssioners........... OOO
5000
The Republican School Board built single
room brick schoolhouses with nine-inch walls
az a cost ranging from $l2I9 10 to S1664. 92