Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-02-22
THE SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.

preparation for schools in the
Governors budget, which has
caused such an uproar in the
State, due principally to the I'M
necessary and selfish demands
of the school superintendent and
his propaganda in an effort to
force the Governor against his
Judgment, to increase the appro-
priation.
The expected has happened.
What we anticipated when the
present school law was enacted
two years ago has come to pass.
We foresaw that it would mean /
further demands upon the tax
payers without any logical rea-
son, and these demands were
made in the request OF Superin-
tendent Cook for appropriations |
for the next three years. We
reiterate what we have honestly |
and conseientiously felt many |
times, that we are in favor of |
giving the boys and girls who
attend the public schools the
benefit Of the best education pos
sible, for the reason that we re-
alize that this is the only educa-
ton that so per cent of these |
children ever receive. This can
be given them without the severe |
drains upon the taxpayers
The Governor refused to grant |
the appropriation demanded by |
Superintendent Cook and stood |
true to his promise to the people |
to reduce the State tax rate and |
this notwithstanding the propa-
ganda of the Superintendent at |
the expense of the taxpayers in
an effort to force the Governor |
to heed his demands. The tax
payers of this State resent the
use of their money for propa-
ganda purposes and the act of |
the school authorities in seeking
to force the Governor to heed
their demands. The fact that
the schools can get along with
the amount allowed by the Gov
ernor is demonstrated by the
fact that Superintendent Cook,
realizing that the Governor
meant business and was not to
swerved from his duty and his
promise to the,people, has finally
agreed to changing the sundry
appropriations to meet the equal. |
ization fun0.
There is too much money spent
for unnecessary offices and over
head expenses in the schools.
This could be done away with
and thousands of dollars saved
the taxpayers without the school
children suffering in the least.
We believe, and history has
shown it conclusively that the
child who is thoroughly ground
in the three RS can take its
place in the world and hold its
own with those who obtain col.
lege education. 1t is the will
and determination to get ahead |
and succeed that brings results,
and this is more to be found in |
graduates from the public
schools than in college gradu. |
ate. We are not deploring
higher education, but we are
deaEng with a condition that
must be faced where the only
education the child receives is |
in the public schools. Its the
foundation that the child re-
ceives in education that tells in |
future life.
The following from the Balti |
more Sun shows that we are not |
alone in our views
THE taxpayers of Maryland
should get behind the Cover
nor's tax-reduction program in
no uncertain way if they do not
wish their burdens increased by /
inconsiderate or selfish demands |
for larger appropriations than |
the Governor has fixed in his
budget. If taxpayers sit still
now and allow these discontented |
elements to bring unfair and un-
wise pressure upon the Legisla-
ture, they will have only them
selves to thank when their tax
bills mount up.
There seems to be an organ
lied drive upon the State Treas
ury, and if one of these insur-
rectionists succeeds in breaking
through others will almost Ger
tainly break through too, and
the taxpayer may as well bid
farewell to his hope of relief.
Governor Richie is still stand
ing firm as the champion of the
people, but his recent statements
indicate how important it is that
public sentiment should line up
emphatically behind him. The
taxpayers of every county in the |
State should make their repre-
sentatiyes at Annapolis under.
stand that they are playing with
fire if they weakly yield to the
opportunities of the people who
are attempting to override the
Governor.
We called attention yester-
day to the amazing course that
has been adopted by State SUI
perintendent of Schools Albert
s, Cook. He has issued pam
phlet attacking Governor Richie
for cutting down the State school .
budget. This pamphlet, printed )
at public expense, has been1
to teachers throughout
State, and is to be followed by
others, for which the taxpayers