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or against the principle that each individ-
ual in this State has the right to get as
much education as the State should provide
for him, based on his ability; and if we
deny that democratic process of the State,
if a man cannot vote intelligently, forget
the legislative, executive and judicial
branches. They do not mean a thing. This
simply says in the clearest terms that we
know, and we will be happy to make it
clearer for the attorneys present, that this
State is committed positively to giving each
child that type of education which it should
give to all its citizens. It does not, suffice
to say, guarantee equal protection. We are
not interested in protection. We are in-
terested in promotion, promotion of equal
educational opportunity; and I bear this
out by saying that there are two counties
in this State where less than fifty per cent
of the population have a high school edu-
cation. Equal protection has been in the
law for many years. These people have
never received an adequate education. I
say the State of Maryland must look for-
ward to promoting this type of equal edu-
cational opportunity so that the end prod-
uct is a man who has said, I have gotten
the most that I can out of the educational
system of this State, based on my ability
and nothing else. When you vote for or
against this, keep that in mind, not all of
the subtle technicalities that have been
raised. I urge your support to defeat this
amendment, and then carry on to other
amendments that may be necessary if you
desire to clarify this point.
THE CHAIRMAN : Is there any further
discussion? Delegate Storm. Do you rise to
speak in favor or against the amendment?
DELEGATE STORM: In favor of the
amendment, but I would like to make one
little point of personal privilege.
THE CHAIRMAN: You may proceed.
DELEGATE STORM: Mr. Chairman,
there is one among us who is so sensitive
to the feeling of others that although he
never should have been feeling so himself,
I am afraid he is a little sensitive, too;
and I would say there are 141 of us here
who have probably been guilty at one time
or another of being a little discourteous to
the rest of us. But there is one that has
not been, and without meaning to rebuke
anyone, I would just like to reaffirm the
absolute perfect decorum of the gentleman
who sits between and stands between the
two flags up front.
Now, my point on this particular amend-
ment. I would like to mention that if this
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had been adopted in its original form — I am
glad the majority is going to change, but
if it was adopted in it original form — the
General Assembly would have been faced
with an absolutely impossible problem. Do
not forget, we have voters in Montgomery
County deciding what their board of edu-
cation shall do, and if they elect a demo-
cratically inclined board, they will be
very progressive and our General Assembly
would have to go right along and provide
the same advantages to the rest of the
State; and when they react and start to
retrench and go downhill, the General As-
sembly would probably have to have a spe-
cial session to get back down the hill.
I would rather leave it the way it has
been, with state superintendent, appointed
by the State Board, constantly working for
progress in the Maryland way, the terrapin
way, getting up here by rail or constant
progress. So let us vote for this amendment
and get this idea out of here quickly at
least until Montgomery County changes.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Mitchell.
DELEGATE MITCHELL: Mr. Presi-
dent, I am a little confused. I understood
by Delegate Wheatley presenting the Ma-
jority Report that the majority had agreed
to amend the language, and it seems to me
that that should come first, and that should
be—
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Mitchell,
I do not think it makes any difference.
Delegate Wheatley has stated his intention
that in the event Amendment No. 3 fails,
he will offer an amendment to change the
word. I think we can accept his statement
that he will do so and regard it as though
it had been submitted earlier.
DELEGATE MITCHELL: Mr. Presi-
dent, I think that the test should come now
because there are a number of people who
are scared away from the idea of equal edu-
cational opportunity by the language of the
majority that the General Assembly shall
provide.
THE CHAIRMAN: I think they could
accept Delegate Wheatley's statement and
consider that the section will not read that
way, assuming the Committee of the Whole
does it. Delegate Wheatley, you would have
the privilege, I think, as Chairman of the
Committee, assuming you feel you can thus
speak for the Committee, to modify the
report of the Committee in the particular
mentioned without submitting an amend-
ment. I did not understand you to say you
were doing that, but I think you have that
privilege.
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