61

This subject will undoubtedly secure, as it deserves, the-
attention of the representaiives of the Counties interested.

The rapid increase of population in Baltimore City and
the adjacent Counties renders a new State Census essential to
a correct distribution of School money. The apportionment
is now made according to the Census of 1860.

I recommend the passage of a Public General Law author-
izing and requiring the County Commissioners of each County,
in which the people have signified their desire, to levy and
collect such local tax as the Boards of School Commissioners
may deem necessary to prolong the School term, to build and
repair School houses, and to pay the salaries of School Com-
missioners ;—the proceeds of this tax to be paid to the Treas-
urer of the Board of School Commissioners.

I also recommend a continuance of the fifteen cent tax.

SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN OF GERMAN PARENTS.

Among the pleasant and profitable incidents of the veat
have been visits to the large and prosperous Schools in which
the German, language is taught and the thorough system of
instruction, prevailing in Germany, has been introduced.
Without wishing to detract from the excellence of other
Schools, I think it proper to mention specially the Institute-
of Prof. Knapp and the Schools under the direction of Rev.
Dr. Scheib, known«as the Zion Church Schools, which have
been personally inspected.

In these and other German Schools, more than 3000 child-
ren are taught in the City of Baltimore alone.

The rapid increase of the German population not only in
the City, bat in all parts of the State, makes it the duty of
the State Beard of Education to provide means for the educa-
tion of the children, by introducing, when practicable, the
German language into the Public Schools. No element of
our population is more industrious and thrifty than the Ger-
man, or more appreciative of the value of education. In
proportion to its numbers it embraces as large a proportion
of tax payers, as do the native born citizens, and is justly
entitled to favorable consideration in connexion with the
plans adopted for the promotion of Public Instruction.

THE FLOATING SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE.

The following communication received from the Superin-
tendent of Public Schools in the City of Baltimore, refers to
an interesting and important subject, and is commended to
the attention of the General Assembly.