any additional expense or trouble, perform the
duties assigned to the twenty-one assistant
superintendents of public schools in Mary-
land.
Why can we not then harmonize in this
matter? If we can have the duties well per-
formed, and at a cost less than would be in-
curred by the provisions of this report as it
stands, why should we, as the warm friends
of public instruction, unnecessarily array
against ourselves public opposition in the
State on the ground that the article as it
now stands would entail endless expense
upon the people of the State?
I think then that one object reached by this
amendment should be to provide that all the
work: necessary to be done by the assistant
superintendents shall be done by the school
commissioners of the several counties. An-
other object to be gained will be this, that no
arbitrary number of school commissioners
will be fixed for the county, but that the
superintendent, the first-class man talked
about here to-day, shall signify to the State
board of education exactly how many com-
missioners are wanted in each county, that
in our system we may have all the features
and appliances absolutely necessary, at the
least possible cost.
Again, sir, this amendment, if adopted,
will necessitate striking out the 4th section,
which would accomplish one good by re-
lieving the article of unnecessary detail and
prolixity.
Then, sir, if these two objects are to be
gained by the adoption of the amendment,
I appeal to those gentlemen who have most
eloquently addressed the convention in be-
half of an educational system, whether it is
not their duty to perfect that system in a
manner to make it most acceptable to the
judgment of the people. It seems to me clear
that these two good objects will be accom-
plished by the amendment.
Mr. PURNELL, I do not know, sir, that I
will not accept the amendment suggested by
the gentleman from Howard (Mr. Sands.) I
find by reference to the school laws of Wor-
cester, that it will approximate very nearly
to the spirit and intent of the law already in
existence and now practiced upon. I find
that in that county there are five gentlemen
appointed by the board of education, instead
of one in each district, and this board of ed-
ucation appoints trustees in each district,
who have the general superintendence and
management of the schools in the various
districts, and they get their reports from the
board of trustees.
As to the objection urged by my friend
from Baltimore city, chairman of the com-
mittee (Mr. Cushing,) with regard to the ac-
cumulation of expense from officers, I do not
know that it would make very much differ-
ence. But I do not compute this subject by
dollars and cents. It is the real, substantial, |
practical good to result to our people in Mary-
land that I look at. The present commis-
sioners receive two dollars per day. If we
increase the number to ten, of course we
double that amount. Bat that really is not a
consideration with me, nor will it control my
vote upon this subject atall. As I think the
objects I desire will beobtained by the adop-
tion of the amendment of the gentleman
from Howard, I accept it as a substitute for
lay own.
Mr. MILLER. There is one objection to the
amendment which occurs to me. It adopts
the language. of the 4th section that the
school commissioners of Baltimore city shall
remain as at present constituted. Has the
gentleman reflected upon the consequence of
adopting such a constitutional provision in
the organic law of the State? it makes all
the laws of the city of Baltimore, all the or-
dinances or legislation upon this subject of
school commissioners irrepealable forever
hereafter and in effect a part of the organic
law of the State, To obviate that I move to
amend by adding the words :
"Subject to such alterations and amend-
ments as may be from time to time made by
the general assembly or the aid mayor and
city council."
Mr. SANDS. I will accept that, and think
it will be acceptable to the committee.
Mr. CUSHING. I think that will satisfy the
committee.
Mr. PURNELL. accepted the modification of
his amendment.
Mr. DANIEL. I think I will sustain the
amendment. This board of education con-
sists of the governor, lieutenant governor,
president of the senate, speaker of the house of
representatives and State superintendent of
public instruction. I do not think these persona
will understand this system so thoroughly as
the State superintendent, and I would prefer
that these officers should be appointed by
him; but I will not object to the amendment
on that account.
Mr. SANDS demanded the yeas and nay»,
and they were ordered.
The question being taken the result was—
yeas 31, nays 20—as follows :
Yeas—Messrs, Goldsborough, President;,
Bond, Blown, Cushing, Daniel, Davis, of
Washington, Dellinger, Earle, Edelen, Greene,
Hoffman, Hollyday, Hopkins, Keefer, Ken-
nard, Lee, Markey, Mayhugh, Mitchell, Miller,
Mullikin, Nyman, Parran, Purnell, Ridgely,
Robinette, Sands, Stirling, Stockbridge,
Swope, Wooden—31.
Nays—Messrs. Abbott, Annan, Baker,
Cunningham, Ecker, Farrow, Galloway,
Harwood, Hebb, Hopper, King, McComas,
Murray, Parker, Pugh, Russell, Schley, Scott,
Smith, of Worcester, Todd—20.
As their names were called,
Mr. ABBOTT said: I think yon are strik-
ing out of that one of its most important |
