PREFACE. THE want of a book containing information concerning the institutions and government of the State of Maryland has been clearly seen for some time. General text-books of civil government will not fill the place, for Maryland's institutions have much that is distinctive in them. The Constitutions of the United States and of Maryland have been a part of the curriculum of the public schools in the State for a number of years, yet no exposition of the Constitution of Maryland has been published. Realizing this deficiency, the author commenced the writing of this book. The General Assembly of 1898 directed the State Board of Education to adopt a text-book on Civil Government for use in the schools. This book was then submitted to the State Board of Education and adopted by them. To prepare men for good citizenship, it is necessary that they know what are the existing institutions of the country. Ignorance of the government has always been a great cause of corruption. V 14,0-20-31 IWN. The book is intended primarily for use in grammar and high schools, but will be found equally well suited for use in private schools. It is hoped that the average citizen, also, will find it a useful manual of information. Especial care has been taken to define words and phrases used in a technical sense. As a citizen of Maryland is also a citizen of the United States, a brief account is given of the organization and powers of the Federal Government. The text of the Constitutions of Maryland and the United States concludes the work. |