The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-10-12
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Republicans Promise to Divorce
Them from All Political
CONTROL.
How They Did It When They Had
the Power.

'It (the Republican party will bring the
local control of the public schools III the
counties near to the school district, and yet
remove it further from partisan politics.
The above is one of the promises made in
the Republican State platform.
When that party had the Governor and a
majority of both branches of the Legislature
it made no effort to divorce the schools from
political control. On the contrary Governor
Lowndes and the Republican county politi
clans made haste to seize all the school boards
in the State, school examiners, clerks and all.
And Governor Lowndes, after he had Re
publicanized every school board he possibly
could had the effrontery when a candidate
for reelection two years ago, to say to re-
porter of the Baltimore Sun on May 25 that
II believe that it is of the highest importance
that politics should be eliminated from the
practical management OF the publlc school
system
1t was rank hypocrisy in Lowndes, and it
is rank hypocrisy now for the Republicans to
promise to divorce the schools from all polit-
ical control.
By their fruits ye shall know them, and we
give below how the school boards stood when
Gov. Lowndes and the Republican party
came into power in 1896, and how they stood
in 1899. after the Republicans divorced them
from political control. This is Lowndes' re-
cord. as published in the DEMOCRATIC ADyo-
CATE of September l6, 1899
Allegany county-in 1896 the School
Board consisted ofthree Democrats. In 1899
of two Republicans and one Democrat, whose
term expires next year. The Democratic
Examiner has been replaced by Il Republican.
Anne Arundel county-in 1896 the
School Board consisted of three Democrats.
In 1899 of two Republicans aud one Demo
crat. The Examiner has been reelected
after thirty odd ballots to elect successor
and because the two Republicans could not
agree upon candidate.
Baltimore county---in 1896 the School
Board consisted of six Democrats. In 1899
of four Republicans and two Democrats. In
1896 the Examiner and assistant were Demo
Gratis: both are now Republicans.
Calvert county-in 1896 the School
Board consisted of three Democrats. One
was succeeded by a Republican in 1896, anoth-
er was succeeded by a Republican in 1898,
AMI the others time has not expired. In
1899 the board stands two Republicans and
one Democrat. In 1896 the Examiner was
Democrat He has been replaced by Re-
publican.
Caroline county-in 1896 the School
Board consisted of three Democrats. In
1899 of two Republicans and one Democrat.
Carroll cOunty-in 1896 the School
Board consisted of four Democrats and two
Republicans. In 1899 OF five Republicans
and one Democrat In 1896 the Examiner
and assistant were both Democrats. They
have been replaced by Republicans.
Cecil county-in 1896 The School Board
consisted of two Democrats and one Repub-
lican. In 1899 two Republicans and one
Democrat. The Examiner has not been
changed, but the counsel TO the Board has,
and many Democratic school trustees have
been replaced by Republicans.
Charles county-in 1896 the School
Board consisted ofthree Democrats In 1899
oftwo Republicans aud one Democrat. The
Examiner was Democrat, but he has since
changed bis party affiliation and no change
has been made.
Dorchester county-in 1896 the School