The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-03-22
Tax Payer Replies To Observer

To the Edltor.--
We note Observers suggestion in
regard to reading the report of the
Education Survey Commission Blu
we who have been reared in the
bracing air of these grand ola nils
of upper Cecil, have formed the in
convenient habit of having few
thoughts and opinions of our own
regardless of what these so-casled
experts may tell us. However, as
Observer evidently pays strict at
tention to their findings, he cannot
help but know that this very model
School law is sadly at variance with
some Of their suggestions, as this
report places much stress on the
evil that results from having our
County Boards of Education appoint
ed by the Governor, thus infesring
the schools with politics and placing
them in the control of little petty
politicians, wholly without expert
ence or training in school matters.
Observer seeks to create the i'm
preston that the Office of Supervisor
is necessary for the welfare of the
schools. Applicants for teachers
certificates are required to have more
or less professional training, and in
addition to this training, oRe-fourth
of the teachers must attend a Sum-
mer School for Teachers each year.
Anyone who gives the matter con-
sideration will agree with me that
the Supervisor, who is required tC
have but two years actual experience
as teacher, cannot be of any benefit
to the schools. We prefer instead
of needing Observers brainless sug
gestion to read books on the subject
by some paid educator" to note the
effects of supervision right here in
our own county. While we have not
personally attended the few meetings
that have been held within the past
two years, we talked with those who
did attend and requested a report of
the proceedings. They told us they
received pay for the half session and
that the greater portion of the time
was spent in visiting at Tome Insti
tute and in watching the children
playing games in the gymnasium
Did they need Supervisor in order
to visit the Tome Institute? We
asked the question:: Are these
meetings helpful to you in your
work" If Observer wants to know
the reply, he may ask the same
question-we are not telling tales
out of school.
One of our legislators, introduced
bill to abolish this office, that has
been foisted upon us and forth with
band of superintendent and what
forces they could rally to their assist
ance rushed to Annapolis shouting
bowls of protest. Probably they
were afraid of a little extra work
they might have to do.
Do the people realize that more
than $4,000 annually is going to the
office of Supt. of Schools in salaries
and expenses? We are firmly con-
WINGED that at no very distant day
our citizens with one accord will de-
mand to know what these officers are
doing to earn this money, whether
they are not merely fattening at the
public treasury and the hard ork-
ing tax payers furnishing the feed
We stand squarely back Of the
assertion that our county schools
are no better to-day than they were
before we had supervisors and the
Supt. paid his own expenses and re-
ceiyed salary of $1,000 annually.
The success of a law depends upon
its execution. We want the children
to receive that which can not be
taken away from them-a good
education-but what we object to is
in paying an Attendance Onicer to
enforce the law when there is every
evidence that it is not being enforc-
ed, We object to paying a so-called
Supervisor $1,000 annually and ex-
penses to visit the schools at rare
intervals. Either the .Supt. should
he required to pay this assistant her
falary, or the Office should be
abolished as worthless.
TAX-PAYER.