80

on account of Free School Fund, two thousand dollars, and from the State
Fund, as applicable to present salaries, eight thousand dollars (the amount
paid in by the County) we shall have an aggregate fund of fifteen thousand
six hundred and sixteen dollars and eighty cents for School purposes for the
present year. Our expenses for the last term were at the rate of about two
thousand dollars per month—at the same rate the foregoing estimate of
funds would enable us to carry on the Schools about eight months.
This report is respectfully submittal.

HENRY A. WHITE,
President Board Public School Comm!s for Somerset Go.

ST. MARY'S COUNTY.

To your inquiries I send you the following replies which are as full as
time will allow me to furnish.

The condition of the Public Schools under the old local laws was bad.
People generally, and especially patrons, thoroughly contemned it. Home few
of the School Houses were tolerably comfortable, many needed repair, and
scarcely one had enough or suitable furniture. Houses were furnished by
the parents of pupils. Schools were supported by funds derived from the State
Free School Fund, and County taxes, and were supervised by local Trustees,
who took little or no interest in them. Teachers, with some exceptions,
were confessedly incompetent, indicating disregard of duty, and want of
appreciation of the high character of their profession. This sad condition of
the Schools is attributed to two causes, which are removed by the new system,
insufficiency of funds, and irresponsible, and therefore neglected supervision.
The characteristic of non-remunerated responsibility is indifference, and its
legitimate fruits, neglect and failure.

Of this state of things those who depended on the Public Schools for the
education of their children complained much, long, and vainly, till at length
despair of a remedy subsided into chronic apathy, and this apathy into which
they wore forced as a refuge by an evil beyond their reach, is construed
into stupidity, or adduced as evidence Of insensibility to their highest interest,
or incapacity for education.

The general intelligence of the County is equal to that of any of the sister
Counties. As to the number who cannot read and write there is a difference
of opinion. Some say there are many, others, not many, especially among
the young. I see no indisposition in our people to sustain Public Schools,
and to erect and furnish School Houses.

The Board has fixed upon $75. 00 as the minimum salary of Teachers for
schools containing not more than 15 pupils. For each additional pupil over
15 and up to 25, it allows $2. 00. For each pupil over 25 and up to 35, it
allows $1. 60, &c., throughout the scale.

Text-books are distributed by Commissioners to Teachers.

Our Schools opened at different times, and Teachers have not all presented
their reports and claims, I am not, therefore, able to report definitely the
number of boys and girls, and "aggregate amount" of salaries paid. The
number of pupils attending our Schools during the first term, ending
November 15, 1865, is about 320, and the amount paid for salaries will
be about $1, 200.

We shall be able to continue our schools 10 months.

I shall now attend to your general queries.

"Your opinion of School Law" ?—good. Strike out limit of District Com-
missioner's salary, but I see reasons why the President should not be removed