Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1920-03-12
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Roads And Schools.

want good roads and COOL |
schools, and the people are al
ways, we believe, willing to make
some personal sacrifice to obtain
both.
Recently a meeting was held |
in the interest of good roads, |
when it it was decided by those
present or, at least, a majority |
to meet the proposed plan of
Governor Richie, looking to the
building of lateral roads which,
if done, Is we understand the
proposition) will mean an in
crease in the county tax rate of
81 cents, the money for said pur-
pose to be raised by direct taxa
alton.
On Monday of this week a large
meeting was held at the Court
House in this town in the inter
est of better schools in the coun-
IT, The meeting showed strong
sentiment for lettering the edu-
cational conditions in the county
and thus give our boys and girls
an education which will better
fit them for taking their place in
this world. AT this meeting it
was decided to ask that the leg
islature provide for submitting
through a referendum to the
people the proposition to bond
the county for 100000 for the
purpose Of consolidating schools
and otherwise lettering our
school facilities.
Good roads and good schools
are matters of the highest i'm
portance and propositions that
we have always favored and favor
now, but while we are anxious
for both, the question must arise
and be given thorough thought
and study, is as to whether it is
practical at this time, in view Of
the fact that these are abnormal
times and labor and material, as
a consequence, at premium
And, again, had we not better
take up one proposition at
time ?
We feel from practical stand
point that our people had better
go slow in making improvements
at this time, and if one is to be
given the preference, we believe
that Of educating our boys and
girls should have precedence
since we have a State Road sys
TEN in all sections of the county
What we need most in both
propositions, however, is hard,
common sense. Good roads are
not to be measured by the mum.
Der of dollars spent in their con
struction and upkeep, bat by
practicability in their construc-
ton.
We understand that something
like $4,000 was spent in resur-
facing the State Road between
La Plata and Lothian with prac-
tically nothing but dirt. If this
is the proper way to spend
money in the upkeep of an i'm
provement, we fail to see it. We
mention this as an example of
what me must consider in max
ing improvements.
Fiue buildings do not mean
good education, but good teach
ers do. What we stand most in
need of in the school system is
good teachers-those who take a
great interest in their work and
not so much in their salary and
the ticking of the clock. These
are to be had if adequate pay is
given the teachers. Unfortu-
nately, it seems, that the teach
ers of our childhood days, who
took an abiding and deep inter
est in the education of those I'M
der their care, are the exception
rather than the rule, today.
We doubt very seriously if the
desired results can be accom-
plished in either case at the
present time, in view of the high
cost of labor and the scarcity
and exorbitant price of material.
Therefore, We advise that practi.
cal and common sense be used
in both matters. This is a bad
time to 'bite off more than we
can chew"
Whether to go ahead now or
wait until later, is the question
which is most practical and sen
sible. Whichever our people may
deem proper, we say now that we
are opposed to a bond issue, ia
voring a direct taxation to meet
these needs. We believe in i'm.
provements, particularly along
the line of good roads and good
schools, but we believe, at the
same time, in paying as we go,