The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-07

cumstance, a noble sentiment, or a
deed of heroism, in some way con-
nected with the event, and fix the
fact more permanently in the mind.
For example, the Inauguration of
Van Buren, will take on a new
meaning when the pupil is told
that Van Buren, with General
Jackson at his side rode to the
capitol in carriage made of wood
from the ship Constitution, and as
they passed, the crowd shared its
cheers between "Old Hickory"
and "Old Ironsides."
After all has been said, the fact
remains that the chief end to be
accomplished in teaching history
is to instill within the minds of the
rising generation a heroic aud pat
riotic devotion to their native land,
so that when they are called upon
to till the place of some senior COM
panion they may be able to fill the
proffered place with alacrity and
with ability which will always
make our country safe from the
enemies both within and without
our land.
CONTRIBUTION No. o.
WHO is THE BACKBONE OF THE
SCHOOL?
Last week, under the above
heading, it was pointed out that
the teacher should not be expect
ed to be the principal person back
OF the school. 1t was then said
that this week an attempt would
be made to prove that the trustees
should not be counted upon as the
only people upon whom the sue
cess Of the school depended.
When we consider this school
official, then do we truly find
man who works for nothing for the
schools. In too many instances,
however, throughout Garrett coun-
ty, is it true that even the.labor-
ng-for-nothing trustee is not
worthy Of his hire. The interest
OF many of our trustees is exceed.
ingly lax; too many of them have
no concern in the schools at all.
1t IS for this reason, largely, that
the schools of this county are as
backward as they are when COM
pared to the other schools of this
State. Many of our trustees
are themselves uneducated, and
therefore are unable to appreciate
the blessings of the public schools;
it is we'll known that people who
are educated will do all possible
to get others also instructed. MANY
of our trustees do not seem to re-
alize that the stability of our free
institutions depends upon educa-
ton; for too often ignorance breeds
viciousness and viciousness is no
respecter Of law and order or of
any institution whatsoever.
Some trustees for instance never
visit their schools. If they only
knew what a source of inspiration
their visits are to the schools and
to the children therein, they would
make a sacrifice to spend a few
hours at least once a year in the
school room as a keen and inter-
ested participant. The trustee,
unless he be parent, who has
children in the school, has prac-
tically no interest in the school at
all. Why should they? They have
enough troubles as it is without
taking up those extra burdens of
the school.
However, there are some trus-
tees in this county who measure
we'll up to their duties and dis
charge their obligations with great
credit to themselves and to the
school over which they oficiate.
These successful trustees visit the
school at least once or twice a
year; they consult the teacher oc-
casionally about the work being
done; and they make au effort to
help the teacher to have the re-
ports signed each month. These
are three little things, it is true.
T