The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-03-27
Letter to Teachers

Letter to Teachers
A copy of the following letter was
sent to all the white teachers of Prince
Georges county by Prof. W. S. Jack
son. Chairman of the Committee on
Public Schools of the Star-Spangleo
Banner Society:
."The Star-Spangled Banner Society
of Prince Georges County, whose
purposes and expectations were explain
ed to the teachers assembled in The
Georgetown Law Building, Washington,
January last, and since laid before
the public by the Society's President
Mr.. C. C. Magruder, Jr., in paper
published under date of February 12th'
was called into existence, December
10th last, for the purpose of "lmprov'
ing the surroundings and restoring the
tomb of DR.. William Beanes".
DIR. Beanes was the occasion OF the
birth of a great nations anthem ano
the central figure, of those sons of Prince
Georges, conspicuous in the war OF
1872: and the Society hopes to make the
celebration at his tomb, September
Sd. next, a great patriotic demonstra-
ton, in keeping with the life and the
event it is intended to commemorate.
Back of this movement is the most
distinguished citizenship and the
natriotic heart of Prince Georges coun-
ty. and reports from all sections OF the
county indicate wave of enthusiasm
underlying it exceptionally gratifying to
its promoters.
The movement has the approval OF the
Board of School Commissioners
in the following terms: "Ihat this Board
endorses the aims and purposes OF
the Star-Spangled Banner Society
of Prince Georges County to improve
the surroundings and restore the tomb OF
of DIR. William Beanes on Academy Hill,
Upper Marlboro, whose name is insepa-
rably linked with that of Francis
Scott Key, the author of our National
Anthem, and earnestly requests the
nublic school teachers Of the county to
interest and encourage the public
school children thereof in the raising OF
the necessary funds to accomplish the
said Society's laudable and patriotic
purposes.
This endorsement is in entire accord
with Bylaws, adopted by the
Society, with the following objects:
To enlist the interest of the white pub
lie school children of Prince Georges
county in the raising OF funds TO
improve the surroundings and restore
the tomb of DIR. William Beanes and
Mrs. Sarah Hawkins (Hanson) Beanes,
his wife. as Prince
Georges contribution toward fitting
celebration of the writing OF our
National Anthem.
This much, therefore, is now asked
of YOU by the Committee on Public
Scho Is, charged with the duty OF en-
listing your cooperative sympathy IN
"said Society's laudabIe and patriotic
purposes:
That, if you can, you come to upper
Marlboro September Sd, next, the
day of the celebration, and bring with
YOU as many of your pupils as may be
able to come.
That you require the students under
YOU, provided they have the ability,
to commit the lines of the Nationa
Anthem.
That. in order to further awaken and
develop the patriotic instinct OF
the children under you, you direct them
those, if any, who have the ability
to prepare an essay, within the limit OF
500 words, and forward the papers
ranking first, second and third to the
Society's Corresponding Secretary, r.
Ernest Smith, Esq, Upper Marlboro,
Md, on or before the first day of June,
next, secondary students taking "Patri-
otism' as the subject of their theme,
and those below the high school, "Chas.
Carroll, of Carrollton'', on condition
that. the authors of the best three pa
pers, of each group, selected from the
schools at large, shall publicly receive
honorable mention the day of the
celebration.
That, inasmuch as an average of ten
cents from each school-going child
in the county would, it is thought, fur
nish sum commensurate with the needs
of the Society, you encourage your pu-
pills, by voluntary offerings themselves
or by soliciting contributions from their
friends or by any method you may
deem wise and expedient to collect such
a sum as may seem to you fittinA
gift from your school, and remit to the
Treasurer of the Society, w. S. Hill.
ESQ.,, Upper Marlboro, Md, on or before
the 18th day of June, next, enclosing
with your remittance the name of each
child making an offering, be it only
penny, but not the amount. In recogni-
ton of so meritorious service on the
part of your children the Society will,
in preserving its records among the
archives of the county, include their
nimeS.
Respectfully submitted,
W. STAFFORD JACKSON,
Chairman, Com. on Public Schools.
Marlborough High School,
March 24th, 1914.