The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-05-11
THE SCHOOL APPROPRIATION
WILL Mr.. BROWNING GET OUT?

We understand that the County Com
missioners were waited upon by two of
the school commissioners on Monday
and more money demanded for the
schools.
This request was refused and the
School Commissioners were given to I'M
derstand that if more money is expected
that they must make the next move.
This means a crisis in our school
affairs.
Will the School Commissioners meas
ure up to the responsibilities of their
high Office and ask Supt. Browning to
resign? Which will they sacrifice, one
man who hasn't child in school and
never has had and whose chief interests
are the salary and the perpetuation of
his political prestige, or will they sacri-
flee the interests and education and the
preparation for life's work of our 5000
children?
1t does seem that the path of duty is
so plain in this matter that any man,
worthy to be called man, cannot err
therein.
If they do continue to sit under the
magic spell of this one man, the time
and season is at hand when the people
should rise in their might and drive
them from power forever so that we
shall come once more into our rights.
We have every reason to believe that
the school appropriations this year, in
stead of being decreased $4,000, would
have been materially increased if our
people had confidence in the school man
agement.
If the present school board would
place at the head of our school system
a man of liberal education, a successful
teacher and one who has not been in
volved in any of our recent troubles,
man like Prof C Z. Bender or Prof. f.
Z. Rathbun, or any other educator of
like rank, the County Commissioners
would come to our rescue for the COM
ing year and provide ample funds for
running the schools.
This paper does not believe the school
funds are spent wisely and to the best
advantage. While of course the reports
account for the expenditure of every
dollar in general way, we do not believe
we are getting results commensurate
with the outlay.
Let US contrast a year under Prof.
Palmer with a year under Supt. Brown
ing.
Supt. Browning states at teachers
meetings that he has increased the sal
aries of teachers from SIS, 900 per year
to SAP, 900. Let US see what the public
are getting for this;
In 1899 the children received the ben
eft of 10 days of school.
In 1909 there were 1870 to l39 days of
school-a paltry increase of 20 to 29
days.
In 1899 there were 144 teachers and
in 1909 there 100, or an increase of only
81.
In 1899 the minimum monthly salary
paid was $25, and in 1909 it was $27-an
insignificant raise of 81 per month; and
a large number of teachers, apparently
more than thirty, received only S27.
The total school expenditures in 1899
were S28, 900, while in 1909 they were
more than $56, 000-or they had more
than doubled in ten years.
We are not prepared without a more
critical examination and access to other
reports to decide wherein the trouble
lies. We leave our readers to draw
their own conclusions. Under the law
the County Superintendent has pecu-
liar and absolute power in the matter of
teachers certificates.
Can this mean that the Superintend-
ent thinks that the first class teachers
are his relatives and friends and this
great increase in salaries of more than
$50, 900 is a reward for their faithful.
ness?
We hear the County Commissioners
commended everywhere for their wis
dom.