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LAWS OF MARYLAND.

and suggestions as to systems of teaching and
discipline.

To be encour-
aged.

Sec. 2. These associations being voluntary, it
should be the care of the School Commissioners to
aid in their organization, to encourage attendance,
to secure competent lecturers, and to impart such
information as they may be able, as will encourage
Teachers in their work, and fit them for the per-
formance of their arduous and responsible duties.

When to meet.

Sep. 3. These associations must assemble at
least once in each school term, on Saturday of
some month, and may occupy any of the school
houses ; stationery for the use of the meeting
shall — furnished gratuitously by the Board of
School Commissioners.

How to organ-
ize.

Sec. 4. For the purpose of organizing Teachers'
Associations and deciding upon the places of as-
sembling, the President of the Board shall con-
vene the Teachers of contiguous districts, embrac-
ing at least twenty-five schools, who may select a
President and Secretary, and adopt such by-laws
as may be deemed expedient; the President shall
arrange the time of meeting of the several asso-
ciations, that he may attend all or as many as
practicable,

CHAPTER III.— TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

How often
held.

SECTION 1. A Teachers' Institute shall be held
once in each year, to continue at least six days> in
every county that contains fifty Teachers; whenever
a county has less than fifty Teachers, it may then

Proviso.

unite with an adjacent county ; provided, the
joint number of Teachers does not exceed one
hundred.

Penalty for
non-attend-
ance.

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of every Teacher,
under penalty of not less —— five and not more
than twenty-five dollars, to attend the institute
and remain throughout its entire session, unless
excused by- the President of the County School
Board.

Notice to be
given.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the President of
the Boards of County School Commissioners, to
notify each. Teacher of the time and place of meet-
ing of the institute.