1867

ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

This Association, representing the school interests of the
whole State, is,the true exponent of the saool system and in
many respects a more important agency than even the State"
Board of Education. Through it the actual wants of various
sections of the State are ascertained and the deliberations of
the State Board made strictly practical.

The Associatiod originated in the call of the State Board
for a Convention of School Officers, August 1865, that in-
structions might be given relative to the uniform system of
free schools about to be put into operation.

Convinced of the value of the conferences at this first meet-
ing, arrangements were made for a permanent organization,
and a committee appointed to draft a Constitution.

A second meeting was held in Annapolis, January 17,
1866, during the Special Session of the General Assembly,
when the Constitution was adopted and permanent officers
elected.

A third meeting was held in Baltimore city, December 12,
1866. Although the date is beyond the period which the
statistical table of this report embrace, the deliberations of
the Association are presented, that the resolutions then adopted
may be known.

The following abstract is taken from the Journal of Pro-
ceedings. The Officers of the Association are

Lieut. Gov. C. C. COX,

President,

Dr. JOEL HOPKINS, of Howard,

1st Vice-President,

F. A. ELLIS, of Cecil,

2d Vice-President,

L. H. STEINER, M.D., of Frederick,

Secretary.