1665

113

five school houses in the Coitnty built with public funds, or
legally deeded to the County Board.

School houses will no£ be built in this County upon the
plan of "district taxation," because, l Many of the land
owners are not residents of the districts and would not con-
sent. 2. In the very districts where they are most needed at
this time, the people are the least able to contribute. We
must rely upon our County levy which now ceases, unless re-
newed by the people, or what we judge to be a better and more
uniform plan, for securing a sufficient fund for this purpose,
a general State law and tax.

It is our purpose to present the subject of the County levy
of $4,000 to the nominating convention, and the candidates
this fall, and to ask that an expression of the will of the peo-
ple through the ballot box in November be allowed, by print-
ing at the head of the ballot "For the continuance of the
County school tax." If any are opposed, they have the privi-
lege of erasing or clipping it from the ballot.

FURNITURE AND APPARATUS.

Very little has been expended for this purpose. Judging
from the condition of things before the new system began a
house only was required, as we found many without stoves,
desks, or black boards. These we have supplied as tar as re-
quired in every school, and repaired nearly every school house
in the County.

We purpose introducing Martenet's map of Maryland in
each school, but to supply each school with proper and suffi-
cient desks, maps, charts, &c., would require a larger fund
than we now have at our disposal.

SCHOOLS.

Whole number in the County 55, average number open 43,
with an average attendance of 32 pupils. There were dur-
ing the year 2,057 different pupils in attendance, average at-
tendance 1,384. The schools were open the whole year. We
regret that we cannot continue them the Fall term, this year
for want of funds. They begin November 1st, when we hope
to be able to continue the balance of the school year.

We see the beginning of a marked desire on the part of
the children to be more regular in their attendance. They see
its benefits at their examinations. Parents are discovering
that hired labor is cheaper and more effectual than that of
their children. 'Teachers speak of the change in the pro-
gress of the pupils and in the decrease of their labor of clas-
sification and recitation. Would that all could see its forces
and act accordingly.