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the Schools. Without supervision, as every practical man
knows, a large portion of the School revenue is spent with-
out any benefit to the children or the State. Such was em-
phatically the case under the old systems. There was no re-
sponsible head, no person who had time or inclination to\x-
amine the children, or asertain whether teachers properly
discharged their duties. Their was no uniformity in methods
of teaching, little regularity, for systematic discipline. It
is in School as in any other branch of industry. The su-
pervising eye is needed, needed as much where children
are taught, as on the Farm, or in the Factory, where labor-
ers and artisans work.

As the State has ordinarily, no right to any man's time,
without proper compensation, and as few men can give their
time without remuneration, it is not only sound policy, but
duty to pay for public services rendered. To each Commis-
sioner, a per diem of $3, is allowed, the whole amount in any
year not to exceed $100, a sum scarcely sufficient for actual
expenses, certainly a small return for the time taken from
regular daily work.

Out of the salaries of the Presidents, personal and travel-
ling expenses when on visitation through the County are
paid. These deducted from the gross receipts, leave a bal-
ance little more than the per diem of a Commissioner, for
which are performed all the duties of County Superintend-
ent, Examiner of teachers and pupils, purchaser and distri-
buter of Text books and Auditor of accounts. The Presidents
in the larger Counties devote their whole time to the work,
and by frequent visits for examining pupils and inspecting
School houses, and addresses to parents and children, accom-
plish good, not to be estimated by dollars and cents. But
such argument is not needed. To object because the State pays
for work done for the public, is unreasonable. Every man
should be fairly paid for public services, and held to a strict
accountability. School officers like other men, need food
and clothing for themselves and families. Their time is
their money. They now labor for the children, at a loss to
themselves. Some of these gentlemen have been working
nearly 18 months, without receiving one dollar of their sal-
ary.

Such ought not to be the fact anywhere.

SALARIES OF PRESIDENTS.

County. Name. Amount.

Allegany. J. M. Shober. $1200

Anne Arundel. F. R. Anspach, D. D. 850

Baltimore Co. R. C. McGinn. 1200

*Baltimore City. J. N. McJiltou, D. D. 2000

*Superintendent of Public Schools.
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