Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-02-22
Free SChOOl-BOOk Bill.
senator Smiths Pet Measure
Ordered EngrOsscd for
Third Reading.

session Of that body was occupied in
debating the proposed measure and
several amendments which were sub
mitted
The Senator from Worcester made
a powerful argument in favor of pass
ing the bill, in which he was chiefly
supported by Senator Herring, of Car,
roll county President Bruce called
Senator Tilghman TO the chair, and
took the floor in behalf of providing
for a special tax Of , 10 cents to raise
the $4,000 necessary To furnish the
free books He opposed the bill in its
original form.
Senator Smith offered his amend.
ment, which was TO limit the expendi-
ture Of the money by the boards to 50
much Of that received as may he nee.
essary. Senator Randall opposed this
He thought that it would he better to
attach the limitation To the approprla-
/ ton itself
Senator Smith said that il would in
that case he impossible for the Comp
troller to make the apportionment.
| The measure must first he tried. II
that amendment was made, the result
would be that no amount would he
given. The county commissioners
we've better calculated to determine
how much was needed than the Comp
troller. They must keep data Of their
expenditures.
Senator Bruce opposed the amend
ment, and also the bill in its present
shape The bill, lie said, was abso-
lutely mandatory.
Senator Smith, OF Worcester, said
that in every measure OF this charac-
ter it was impossible TO determine pos
itively rs to amounts or what would
be required. Every measure Of the
kind was somewhat speculative, and
must he tried. Ii was here four years
ago and passed almost unanimously,
also two years ago, and he was proud
to say there was not vote in this
Senate against it, and it was passed
almost unanimously by the House.
The bill had been thoroughly discuss
ed, and the people demanded its pas,
sage. Although it was an idea of his
to give free books TO the pupils Of the
public schools, he claimed no credit
Tor thi. bill specially.
Ii there should not be enough
money appropriated, then the bill
provided that the lower grades should
get the books, and the INDECENT pupils
must get them. lie believed the state
was now in condition to grant this
money to the people it was their
money.
The Senator showed that the $780,
coo could be paid out of the surplus
that is accumulated in the Treasury
lie said he recognized that it was i'm
portant and pleasant for the people to
be out of debt, but they must look at
this as they would do their own bust
ness Ii they can better their condi-
ton by going into debt. they do ii,
and he was willing tina; payment of
the state debt he extended TO grant
this thing that the people are asking.
Senator Herring said that this was
one measure he hoped would be enac-
ted into law 1t addressed itself to
every Thoughtful person as striking at
the very root OF those reforms which
should be engratted into law. We
have school law of which we are
! proud. but there seems To he Just this
lack in it, and the popular cry has
gone up for this reform. The amount
named Is an approximate amount fixed
by the Board OF Education, and they
should not ieopardize the measure he
cause they can't definitely fix the
amount There is no measure in
which the people are more interested,
and the state should be proud TO offer
free books. as well as free education,
To the hunblest citizens. Senator
Bruce denied that there was any such
popular demand for this particular
measure. as was alleged
He then spoke OF the law now pro-
viding for INDECENT scholars To have
free books. and Was interrupted by
Senator Smith, who said warmly, that
is Just what we want TO get lid Of
that word ''indigent' that child
shall present itself before Il board of
| school commissioners rs Il pauper and
beggar
Senator Bruce replied there was M
necessity for that-there was no stig-
ma in honest poverty. There was
popular demand for this measure. he
cause $3.50, 600 was to be taken out of
the treasury distributed throughout
the state
Then the present school tax is also
wasted, for this money is to be distri-
buted as it is suggested Senator
Smith.
NO" said Senator Bruce, "because
we levy tax to meet the cost then,
and do not, as in this instance, take it
ont of the Treasury Why not i'm
pose tax to supply the money for
these books; it would be , $40 cents
on the s100."
Senator Herring said that had not
been provided for in the bill, because
the peoples money was already in the
treasury, and there is no necessity for
a tax.
The tax is necessary" said Sena-
tor Bruce. 1t would be better fnan
ciering TO make proper provision for
these debts. instead Of taking this
money out Of the Treasury"
There is over S450,000 there to-
dav." suggested Senator Smith
Senator Bruce said this is an unwise
and untimely measure. There are al
ways motives behind all bill of this
kind; the book agents have been
swarming about here
Senator Smith-There is not bool;
company i'll the country that is not
opposed to this bill and fighting ii.
Senator jackson said he was as
much in favor of free books ~ any
other Senator, but he believed the
/ tun1 oupht Ia he eerfain and thev