Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-08-07
UNFAIR TREATMENT.

or some other local affair is planned,
whether the purpose be to raise
money for some particular purpose
or TO advance the common interests
OF the town the local newspaper is al
ways one OF the first to be asked to
contribute space 20 make the affair
success. II every inch so given dur
Ing the year were 10 be paid for at
regular advertising rates. the amount
would be surprising.
But when the opportunity comes TO
repay the publisher for his help by
pauonizing him, very often he is not
given the consideration due him. No
doubt many publishers can recall ex
perienees similar TO that referred to
by +. +. Sutherland, publisher of the
Smithyille TEX Times in an edi-
torial in a recent issue of his paper,
in which he says:
There is a conspicuous lack in this
and in last weeks issue of the Times
Of news with reference to commence
ment activities OF the class of 1917
In justice to the Times and also 70
the class. some explanation is due iae
public.
1T il the prerogative year after
year OF the local newspaper TO
chronicle everything pertaining TO the
encouragement OF and advancement
OF the cause of education whether
social financial or moral. In any
event. the space and time devoted TO
this cause would total many dollars.
This Is done gladly and without
thanks. For with the proper educa
ton of the masses the newspaper
reaps its pro rata of benefit always
resultant in all business as its peo-
pie become enlightened All bust
ness interests recognize this as a
principle. And If money is to be
raised in the cause of local education
business people as class respond
willingly and very generously.
1T must be conceder. however, that
educational system they are promot-
ing and that one thing is above
everything. that its schools turn out
boys and girls fitted for good citizen
ship.
"Therefore. if our schools are
graduating boys and girls who
demonstrate clearly that they have
not the slightest conception of or ap-
probation of, the first principles of
good citizenship. then those who have
been gratuitously giving time and
money for their education have ex-
cuse for criticizing the system under
which these have been graduated.
This year, with a newspaper that
has consistently built for % years in
interest Of the Smithville public
school system-th the c'ass of 1917 let
the contract for their Invitations
totaling something over 500 to some
Northern stationer. without giving the
Times even the privilege of bidding.
This demonstrates three things:
First. that they are turning out
graduates without the first idea of a
practical business transaction; for to
let a contract involving SO large an
amount of money without finding
whether they could do better else
where. either in quality or price,
shows pitiable lack of business
-acumen. Second, il demonstrates
that they are lacking in a sense of
obligation and appreciation of forces
that have been working for many
years in their interest. Third, it
demonstrates that the first ethics of
citizenship. civic pride, public spirit
and home building have never been
brought to their attention.
This is not criticism of the class
OF 1917 They are simply good boys
and girls doing exactly as they have
been taught. And the fact that they
have many impractical isms and olo-
gies that have no connection what
ever with practical life stored in their
heads. does not mean that we are
criticising their teachers. Our public
school system is dominated by our
universities, whose slogan is: Never
mind training the boy or girl for the
work of man and woman Train them
to follow university course. ire
spective of the fact that nine-tenths
OF them never enter a university
From time to time the Times will
run some matter showing the public
some of the ridiculous inconsistencies
imposed upon our public schools by
this pernicious university system.
"The Times has not withheld COM
mencement news in spirit of retail
alton. but simply as method of call
ing attention to the fact that really
as matter OF simple justice there is
nothing coming 10 the class of 1917
from the Times. except at regular adj
vertising rates
One good place to go for that need
ed change. young man. is somewhere