The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-03-31
Che Democratic Sdrufate.
WEST MINISTER, MD.
SATURDAY, MARCH 81. 1894.
The Free Book Bill.

The ADVOCATE has always been oppos
ed TO free books in the public schools
This opposition is not based on thu
ground that the state treasury Is not IL
is not in condition to supply them, without
additional taxation. If the treasury wer'
Overlooking, we would say reduce taxa
ton. rather than furnish free books. Tha
which costs nothing is lightly priced, usu
ally. and the book fees often measure the
whole amount that some persons con
tribute to public expenses. People who
contribute nothing to the support OF gov
eminent are not apt to take much Interest
in public affairs. Extravaganza and high
taxation are matters of no consequence
neither is public Indebtedness, because
they share nothing Of the burden.
Public education is not duty the state
owes to the people. The rather, the state
furnishes free schools as matter of self
protection Government is good or bad
AS the people are intelligent or ignor'
ant. 1t is the part Of wisdom, then, that
society should, as a matter Of preservation,
place the means OF education within the
reach of all. 1t is enough, however, to
furnish schaolhouseS and teachers. The
people with children to educate ought tc
furnish books from their private means
The srate should not undertake to do all
Self-relianee and industry are necessary to
free and independent people The state
dwarfs these when it undertakes to do for
the citizen what the citizen should do for
himself
There has been no demand from the
people. for free books, and there was no
wisdom in bringing forward a free book
bill. When it was introduced in the Leg
isIaturc it was passed without much oppo-
siti.n. Presenting that such a measure
would be popular with the people, and be-
licving that Coy. Brown would veto it, be-
cause the treasury could not stand the ex-
pendiinre, some members voted for 1t,
although opposed to the bill. They
shirked their duty, to gain popularity, and
sought to throw the responsibility upon
the Governor. Just as many members OF
Congress vote for any sort of pension
bill, without even knowing its provisions,
throwing all the responsibility, and what
ever unpcpularity may attach, upon the
President. if he finds the fill wrong and
vrtoes it.
Some of the members of the Legislature
who voted for the free book bill have been
urging the Governor TO veto it. 1t would
serve these members right if the Governor
would give their names to the press for
publication.
The Governor has not vetoed the bill,
but sent a message to the Senate, where
the bill originated, pointing out fatal de-
fects, and suggesting it he amended. And
he also pointed out the fact that the treas
ury could not stand the expenditure with
out increased taxation.
The bill only appropriated Sl25,0O0, Il
sum totally inadequate. Double that
amount would be required, for free books
mean harder usage, abuse and carelessnesS
on the part of the children. Free books
mean, also, considerable jealously and con
tention because one man children books
are not as new and clean as those of hi
neighbours children.
If the Legislature had been as active on
passing promised assessment bill as it has
been in passing a free book bill, creating
the Office of fire marshal, and in consider.
ing measures not promised, they could
have adjourned next Monday night, feeling
the pledge to the people had been re-
deemed and that the treasury was in good
condition.