The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-01-31

WHICH IS III the nature Oh d stringent
and sweeping compulsory education
law. 1t provides that every child
between seven and fourteen years
shall attend some public school, in
the town, city or county in which he
resides, during the entire time the
schools are in session. Cases Of
necessary absence can be excused by
the superintendent, and children who
attend private or other day schools
are excused. If the physical or
mental condition of the child renders
attendance inexpedient the child is
exempt. The bill compels the keep
ing open of schools in each school
district at least thirty-two weeks in
year, free to all white youths over
six and under twenty-one years.
The establishment of truant schools
i'll every county and Stateis provided.
IIabitual truants-that isevery child
between seven and fourteen years
who wilfully absents himself from
school contrary to the law, may upon
complaint of the truant officer and
upon conviction thereof be commit
ted: if a boy for a period not ex-
ceeding two years and if a girl to one
of the industrial schools forgirls and
unless such child be placed on pro-
hibition. Any child between seven
and fourteen years found growing up
in idleness and ignorance is to be
committed in the same way. Pro-
vision is made for the arrest and
punishment of runaways and I'M
ruly and immoral children. A fine
will be imposed ofnot more than $25
and Imprisonment i'll jail for default
or failure of parents or guardians to
cause the children under their con-
troll to be sent to school.
Delegate Brashears, of Anne Arun-
del county, has introduced a bill APP
pointing a special justice of the peace
i'll each district of Anne Arundel
county to try petty criminal cases,
which il is said will be followed by
similar bills applying to other coun-
ties. The bill states that the special
Justice shall receive a stated and
fixed salary and shall not be paid by
fees. 1t is claimed that the present
system tends to corrupt and is ex-
pensive. 1t is alleged that i'll many
counties small and unimportant cases
are taken and pushed to the limits
in order to increase the fees of the
officials and witnesses. The abuse of
the law in such manner it is asserted
has been extensive and it is said that
quite a traffic is waged in the COM
mitinent of tramps to the House of
Correction for fees. There is some
talk of a general bill along these lines
to apply to the whole State.
The six tickets for a quarter bill
has been introduced in this session.
1t created a great deal of talk at the
last session and was finally defeated.
Senator Robinson has introduceda
bill amending the law regarding at
torneys i'll law and attorneys in fact.
1t was referred to the committee on
Judicial Proceedings.
On Monday night Mr.. B. Howard
Hannah, on invitation, delivered an
address to the Senator's in explana-
ton of his bill providing for leasing
the barren bottoms of the Chesapeake
Bay. He was listened to with mark
ed attention and evidently made an
impression. His theory is to take
the money derived from the rent of
the oyster beds and apply it to the
maintenance and Improvement ofthe
public roads. This has been a pet
theory of Mr.. Humans for a num-
Der of years but he has so far been
unsuccessful in his efforts to have the
State Legislature take a serious view
of the matter. 1t is undoubtedly a
good thing and outsiders cannot I'M
derstand why favorable action has
not been taken long before this.
Such a step would merely be follow
ing in the way of a number of other
States, who have long before this
seen the necessity of protecting their
oyster beds and at the same time
adding a neat sum to the revenue OF
the State.
Since the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company began to purchase prop
erty in New York for terminal pur-
poses, certain real estate spectators
observing activity of real estate in
the vicinity of the proposed terminal