The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-08-02
The broad gauge seems to be com
ing from the Pennsylvania end of the
line. Let it come, and come quickly.
BEL AIR, Md July 81, 1895.

Letter from the County Examiner.
BEL AIR, Md July 81, 1895.
Editor Of The -EgiS:
DEAR Sinh reply to your inquiry US to
the system of graduating students in the pub.
lie schools of the county VIII oh was put in
operation several years since, will say that
upon the satisfactory completion Of the ninth
grade, including a review OF and thorough ex-
animation on the grammar school branches of
the Course, a handsomely engraved diploma is
awarded by this Board on the recommendation
of the applicants teacher and trustees. Every
precaution is exercised that these diplomas
may mean something, may he reasonably
satisfactory evidence of Il thorough, practical
high school education.
While the few large schools in populous
sections naturally furnish the bulk of the
graduates, the same possibilities exist in all
sec ions, as Is evidenced by the fact that this
year the twenty-five graduates of the county
came from seven different schools. and have
every reason to be believe that in several cases
those from strictly country schools compare
favorably with town graduates.
After having completed our course they
have in several instances matriculated at
Princeton, st. Johns and the Maryland Agri-
cultural College, and completed the course at
the Normal School in single year.
This is the last day of the school year, and
| believe we have every reason to feel
highly gratited with its record. The annual
State report is already sufficiently advanced
towards completion TO show that notwith
standing the severity of the past winter, the
stringent economy enforced upon our people,
and the unprecedented attendance during the
year ending twelve months ago, our schools
have just completed year which leads all
others in both enrolment and average attend
ance. But | think | can see even stronger
evidence that the people at large are more
aud more united in u hearty support of the
system. Last May, when by reason OF the
great popularity already referred to, it became
apparent that the funds at the disposal of the
board would not suffice to run the schools I'M
til the close of June, and the people were adj
vised to express their feelings about further
levy, in less than two weeks forty seven differ
ent petitions coming from every section of the
county and representing nearly all the sub
stantial citizens of the county, passed through
my hands into the County Commissioners Of
flee requesting that the levy should be made.
No better proof of how it was appreciated can
be given then to state that the enrolment for
that term was better by one hundred and
thirty pupils than ever before.
| paid one hundred and sixty-five official
visits among the schools during the year, and
| think | could then see gratifying tendency
for patrons to supplement the expenditures
of the board by buying organs, maps, globes,
&c, charging the circulating library, sup
porting the hands of the teacher in faithful
and fearless administration, and in fact aim
ing to make the school the center of all activ-
titles for good in its neighborhood. One of
the best results of this is to fix all of the teach
er's energies and professional ambitions on
the school he fills instead of floating from
place to place to better his condition. There
will be far fewer changes during the coming
year than ever before. Present indications
do not point to the loss of more than six or
eight of our old teachers, and less than
dozen transfers to different schools.
regret very much that trustees and patrons
do not yet pay the frequent visits to their
schools. which are such a valuable stimulus
to both teachers and pupils 1t is not neces-
sary for one to be specialist in order that his
visit may be beneficial there are many more
reasons than the length of this letter would
permit me to set forth which could be given
in favor of these little visits As far as visit
ing the schools on extraordinary or festival
days is concerned, the improvement is very
marked, aud sincerely hope it will continue
| cannot recall time when this feature was
nearly SO conspicuous as on the last day of
school in June. From my personal know
ledge and the full reports received ON the
subject. | believe that not less than three
thousand patrons and friends joined hands
with their teachers and little ones to make the
last day in the school year the happiest
Such recollections of the closing day make it
very pleasant TO dream OF the morning In
September when the school door will be again
opened TO admit the eager workers.
Very respectfully,
JOHN d. WoRTHINGToN.
EYamiDar