1752                                     VETOES

suasion from the standpoint of curriculum would inevitably lower the
standards of dentistry to which the citizens of Maryland are entitled.

For these reasons, I am compelled to veto the bill.

Sincerely yours,

(s) Spiro T. Agnew,

Governor.

Senate Bill No. 468. Charles, Garrett, and St. Mary's Counties—

Amish or Mennonites

AN ACT to add new Section 54A to Article 77 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1965 Replacement Volume), title "Public Edu-
cation," subtitle "Chapter 5. County Board of Education," to follow
immediately after Section 54 thereof, to provide for the applicability
of school laws, rules or regulations to schools in Charles, GARRETT
and St. Mary's Counties conducted or operated by certain religious
groups and to authorize the modification of such requirements by
the local boards of education in these counties.

May 4, 1967.

Honorable William S. James
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Section 17 of Article II of the Maryland
Constitution, I have vetoed today Senate Bill 468 and am returning
it to you.

This bill would sever the county boards of education in Charles,
Garrett and St. Mary's Counties from any control by the State Board
of Education in regulating the operation of Amish and Mennonite
schools.

Although I have signed a related bill that expressly recognizes
such schools as "bona fide church schools" (Senate Bill 470), I am
compelled to veto this bill in order to preserve the fundamental
standards of education established by the State Department of Edu-
cation and generally applicable to public, private and church affiliated
schools. Even though the Department has made, and will continue to
make, reasonable allowances for diverse religious, social and edu-
cational beliefs, it cannot hope to fulfill its educational responsibil-
ities to the State if it is deprived of its powers to perpetuate
reasonable and equitable standards.

Sincerely yours,

(s) Spiro T. Agnew,

Governor.