The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-10-30
MIR. WAKEFIELD AND TIL +
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

vile on October 21st, defining his views
upon the public school system, which has
the unqualified Endorsement of the public
school teachers of Maryland and has re-
ceived general commentator:
During my canvass for the nomina-
ton for Governor l said that l believed
that the public schools system should be
kept free from political influences. Our
schools are for the children of the hole
people. I know their advantages. l was
educated by them, and taught in them.
I have always been warm and earnest
advocate of the public schools. and am
familiar with the workings of the system,
having taught under the first system adopt
ed under the constitution of 1867.
II have definite ideas on this subject,
and it will be source of pride to me if
can aid in bringing about Improvements
where they are needed in our public
school system. The democratic party,
believing in minority representation in
the school boards, passed in 1900 law
guaranteeing such minority representa-
ton on all county school boards. Such
representation is safeguard against i'm
proper or partisan actions by the boards,
because it gives the opportunity for close
scrutiny and of wide publicity in the
proceedings of the respective county
boards. During the last four years the
schools have been we'll conducted, and
the school funds have been honestly dis
bursed.
eff am elected Governor, and believe
I will be. shall see that the sch 'nI com
missioners are men of the highest char
acter, and whatever appointments l may
make will be with view of bringing
about such result. will want men Of
ability, men interested in public educa-
ton, and their political affiliations and
activities shall not be condition prece-
dent to their appointment.
"Teachiny should be recognized as all
important aud difficult profession like
law, medicine, engineering or any other
of the honorable profession. 1t needs
special preparation, and teachers should
be appointed solely with reference to
their professional and moral qualifica-
tions.
In order to encourage competent and
| intelligent persons to enter and remain
in the ranks Of the profession adequate
not a renumeration-as in many cases
less than that paid to janitors and per-
sons occupying such positions in the pub
lie service. The Legislature should fix a
minimum salary for the teachers, to be
placed as high as all the conditions of the
problem will admit.
Teaching being a profession, it is of
the highest Importance that the superin
tendents (now called examiners) should
be professionally qualified. A school su-
perintendent should be an experienced
teacher and an educational expert. Elk
perience in law, medicine or journalism
does not insure the qualifications neces.
s.ry for work of efficient teaching or
supervising.
"The last Legislature passed an admir-
able law for the protection of the teach
ers, which forbids board of trustees to
remove a teacher without specifying
charges and permitting an appeal from
this decision to the county school board.
l believe that it would be we'll if the civil
service rules were made to apply in the
counties, as they now do in Baltimore
city. so that teacher could not be re-
moved by any authority without charges
laid and trial had. superintendent lex
aminers) should have some protection of
similar character, and change of state
administration should have nothing what
ever to do with changes among teachers
or examiners.
"The present school law was adopted
thirty five years ago, and the many amend
ments that have been made have caused
and, in some cases, contradictory There
are many minor points that need atten
ton, which cannot be taken up very we'll
by the Legislature. For this reason the
on assembling, bring about these neces-
sary reforms by authorizing the appoint
ment OF a commission of qualified persons,
without regard to political affiliations, to
mmediately consider the charges neces-
sary in the system and the laws, and to
report promptly to the Legislature, SO
that such action as seems proper shall be
promptly taken. Such a commission
could, in less than ninety days study the
laws of other states and the needs of this
state, and could recommend such i'm
provements as are needed to make our
system first class one and equal to the
system of any other state in the Union.
The pension law for the benefit of su.
ed in force, and the necessary appropria-
tions should be granted to make it effec-
tive. Every county should have a school
term of not less than nine months.
Il give these as my views upon this
most important question, and believe that
they will meet with the approval of all
Maryianders who are interested in pub
lie education"
\ Love Letter.
Would not interest you if you're look
ing for guaranteed Salve for Sores,