The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-01-13

qualified to judge that question than he;
let it be decided at the polls. The Gov
ernor necessarily depends on his poll
teal advisers for such knowledge and
whatever a mans views may be on d.
vorce in general, he must admit that OF
politics and education would be a bene-
fit to all concerned. Their union Is an
i'll advised one and breeds monstrosities.
Our present unified system of State
education would not be menaced by di-
rect election of county school commits
sioners. The State Superintendent could
instruct the county boards as to the
qualities needed in county superinten-
dent. In this selection there should be
not the faintest whisper of political con-
nivance. Grade supervisors may fill a
place in our schools, but If the superin-
tendent is to be what his name implies,
let him be free to 2uperintend the school
work in the county, a. ID be relieved from
the many details of clerical work that
now hamper him. An assistant could be
procured TO: such work. Let all patrons
of our schools read the Public School
System Bylaws. Article V. and after
a careful perusal of the entire article,
the opening words of Section s. HE
SHALL DEVOTE HIS WHOLE TIME TO
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSINESS will seem
to have a Satire turn not intended by
the framers of the law.
The duties of the district school trus-
tees were doubtless elaborated by one
in whom the Calvinistic spirit reigned
supreme. for there is no chance in them
for the operation of free will. Every
action must be confirmed by the county
board, the members are appointed for
one year terms only and may be dropped
from their positions without any notifi-
cation. This uncertainty of tenure cou
pied with their anomalous position, has
a strong tendency to rob them &c active
interest in their duties.
In the Teachers Year Book" for 1911
u, our State School Superintendent has
a paper on How to Make the School the
Centre of Community Life" He also
realizes that the school can never take
its proper position in the life of the peo-
pie under existing state conditions. Mr..
stephens many admirable suggestions
for creating a bond between tho home
and school should be published by every
newspaper in the State. He Says most
truly, There are earmarks n a mOnar-
chy in the control of our schools no one
connected with the school is elected by
the people, and because of this there is
lacking at least one tie which would
bind them more closely to the school and
make 1t more than it now is the center
Of community life. The people should
ELECT the district school trustees, and
the persons thus selected would be the
representatives of the people of the
community This will place the control
of the school directly in the hands OF
the community where it belongs I ven
ture to call to Mr.. Stephens attention
however, the fact that under the pres
ent law defining the duties Of DISTRICT
TRUSTEE. an elective choice in this par
tcular should not go far toward better
ing conditions.
Now when many farmers, in many dis
tricts, in many counties of this beautiful
State have awakened to the condition of
affairs, sufficiently to procure through
their legislators a beneficial change in
our school law and it's administration,
no county commissioners will go to any
educational meeting whatsoever and state
as true the fact that many farmers in
Maryland pay more attention to the
housing of their stock than to the build
ings in which their children are taught.
MRS. Z. w. DAWSON.
West Amwell December 20, 1911.