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Many were the doubts of even the friends of our Public
Schools when the new system was introduced one year ago.
Some thought it would not live to enter upon a second year ;
its enemies were sadly and its friends happily disappointed.

It not only entered upon its mission for the second year,
but it entered with new friends, new children, new hopes,
bright prospects, and a will to surmount every obstacle that
may present itself. One of the best tests to show the feelings
of the citizens of Allegany County in regard to the School
system, was made manifest at the late November Election,
when the question '' For a County School Tax'' or against
a tax, was submitted to the voters of the County. Some not
very favorably disposed towards the system, imagined that'
the proper time had now come when by a coup de plume they
could give it such a blow, that it would go reeling to the
ground. But after the contest was over, the smoke ended,
the sky revealed a bright face and the Official Returns re-
ported 117 votes in the County against a School tax, whilst
a very large majority was given in favor of a local tax for
School purposes. This too at a time when the political
questions of the day absorbed every other subject.

Let that vote stand forever to the honor and credit of our
Mountain County.

The citizens by their votes manifested a spirit worthy the
mountain air we breathe. They want good Schools and are
willing to be taxed for them.

Having thus expressed themselves in favor of being taxed,
the question is left with our legislators, whether they will
come to our aid, whether they will pass an act granting the
wishes of our citizens.

The citizens of Allegany County have not only manifested
a noble spirit in sustaining our Schools by voting for a tax,
but in some parts of the County have built new houses, which
are the pride of the district. In some sections old houses
have been remodeled, and made more comfortable than they
were before.

With the improved feelings of our citizens in favor of
Public Education, there is felt, more than at any previous
time, the want of a sufficient number of good School houses.
In many School districts where houses are needed most, the
citizens are "least able to build, and with the heavy drain

upon the treasury in the way of rent, repairs, fuel, books
and incidental expenses, the School board can do but little
in the way of building. If we had good houses, the system
of Public Instruction could be made an entire success in Alle-
gany County.

The State in providing a system of Free Instruction, has
only thought in part for its boys and girls.

The State has not fulfilled its sacred duty to its children,
until it has provided the proper legislation to give to all the