Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-01-16

conditions, which will, Of course, differ, but
the interests of the State should be rela-
lively the same.
1t may not be amiss in this connection
to call your attention to the importance of
having all fees for public service collected
in the name of and payable to the State.
and all public officers placed upon sala-
ried basis. In doing this, it is my judg-
ment, many economies could be affected
and more efficient service procured.
One Of the simplest reforms, yet far
reaching in effect, could be accomplished
by having all taxes for all purposes through
out the State levied at the same time.
The custom Of levying in one county at
one time of the year, and in another at
another time, causes confusion, as is in
stanced in one county where the State
taxes are collected in May. Notwithstand-
ing this, they are held by the local COL
lector until September is Of the same year.
and still the discount is retained. This
action is permitted by statute, yet in fair
ness to the State the moneys collected on
its behalf should be promptly turned into
the Treasury. Such practices should not
be countenanced nor made possible.
| STATE AUDITOR.
The purpose Of establishing this office
was not only to see that the States moneys
were not being improperly used, but for
the purpose of ascertaining the operations
of the various fee officers and discussing
agencies Of the State. This information
is valuable for use in the preparation of
any legislation which might be undertaken.
looking towards remedial measures affect
ing such officers and agencies.
The accomplishments of this office have
been disappointing, solely because of the
lack of general authority, as well as proper
assistance, to investigate the accounts of
every collector Of taxes in the State.
If we are to get the benefits which should
grow out Of this Office. it is important that the
State Auditor have the power to establish
a uniform system of accounting by all per-
sons charged with the duty of handling
public funds, either as collectors or dis
bursers, or both. He should also be given
sufficient assistance, clerical and other
wise, to enable him to do this and main
tain thereafter a careful inspection and
oversight Of these accounts, and compile
such statistics as he may deem useful to the
Legislature or the administrative officers of
the State.
EDUCATION.
One of the most important subjects with
which the State is concerned, and with
which you will be called upon to deal, is the
advancement Of primary education. mean
that duty of the State to so equip its fu-
ture citizens with power to read and write
the English language with some literary
discrimination, and with the ability to
comprehend the meaning and purposes of
advanced mathematical problems, and &C.
quire as well as possible general knowl-
edge OF physical science and an under
standing of the meaning Of the history of
our country, together with knowledge of
the important events that serve as mile
stones along the path of civilization. These,
1t seems to me, constitute the meaning of
primary education so far as the State is
vitality interested. When this has been
DONE it is then for the individual to pursue
his or her studies along lines best suited
to his or her special inclination or necessi-
ties, and it is with this in view we are
trying to perfect our system of public
schools.
For specific recommendations, call your
attention to the suggestions made by the
State Board of Education and DR.. M. Bates
Stephens, the State Superintendent of Edu-
cation, which are submitted as follows:
There should be State school tax rate
OF sixteen cents for the elementary schools,
and the same to be supplemented by local
appropriation in order to employ trained
teachers and pay them adequate salaries.
The rural school has vexing problems
and needs the best type of elementary
teacher in order to make the work of the
school effective. These schools should have
direct supervision from the State School
Department, and to that end there should
be provided State Rural School Superyi-
sor.
| The County School Board should be au-
thorized, Q) to establish in one approved
high school teachers training course as
4
an elective, and (2) to send percentage
of its teachers to a summer school in lieu
of holding an institute.
"Aspecial appropriation of SIS 900 should
be made to liquidate the Indebtedness on
the Colored Normal and Industrial School
and an increase of $4,000 in the annual
appropriation for maintenance. The ap-
preparation for the Frostburg Normal School
is also inadequate; and that for the Mary
land State Normal will need to be increased
substantially when the new property is
occupied.
An extension of the compulsory school
attendance law, making its features State
wide and its application mandatory.
"A minimum school term of seven months
for colored schools.
Transfer of the offices of State Library
Commission to the Office of the State Lii
brarian in Annapolis, and thus have same
clerical force for both libraries.
IAN educational survey Of the counties
of Maryland.
Permanent meeting place at Ocean
City, where summer course in teaching
may be given by proper and competent
instructors, at nominal cost to those TAX
ing the course"
To all Of these specific recommendations |
give my hearty approval, and feel that
upon consideration of the same by your
selves you will do all in your power to give
them effect