The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-12-04
Circular Of the superintendent Of Com
mon Schools.

r
To the Trustees and Teachers Of the School Dis
triets Of The Territory Of -Hinnesofa
Among the duties. devovlns upon the superi,
tendent Of Common Schools, none is more rs
sponslbie and delicate, than that Of RECOMMEND
ing uniform system of text books. =.
The difficulty that once existed Of obtaining
books, that were suitable 10 the various grades
Of scholars, has ceased. Many enterprising pub
fishers have employed gentlemen Of talent and
experience in instructions, TO prepare books, which
ere generally forwarded 10 every point where
there is probability that they will meet with
sale This laudable activity, hewever, his
created the new difficulty Of knowing how TO
select the best, from so many which are really
excellent, and have their respective advocates
After due deliberaton, it has been thopEht
best to recommend the following works, to the
Schools of the Territory
The School Geogropiirs, by s. A. MIrcnELr.
First Lessons in .arithmetic, by G. DAVIES,
L. L. ID.
The Natural PHILOSOPHERS, by X. G.PARKrs.
TIE English Grammar, by w. II. WELLs.
The Histories Of the United States, BY L.
WILLARD. 80
The School Arithmetic, BY c. DAWES, L.L.z.
The Elementary Spelling Book, by N. WEE
srER, l.. L. ID.
The Series Of Readers, by Il. G. PARKER.
The Superintendent has aimed TO select such
Reading Books, as will be unohjectionable to airy
Of the various classes of citizens fruitful souge
of difficulty in our Public Schools, has been the
reading Of lessons from the Protestant version Of
the Billie. 1t is believed that upon exa n,nation,
there will be found no extracts in the Reading
Books recommended, calculated to arouse sny
religious prejudice. If the State ever expects 10
have her Schools receive the support Of the ca
tire community, those who have charge Of public
instruction cannot be too careful in excluding woTks
that have a sectarian bias and the good pi
every shade Of religious belief, should watch
that no instruction Of that description, be nstiled
| by the teachers.
But" Ito apply the lansuage Of the Fiji
Annual Report on the Common SchooIs Of Vef-
mont, 1850, at the same time, we would not
have any torment themselves with a jealousy OF
purposes which have no existence but in theL
own imagination. The difficulties. however,
which are to be encountered upon this subjeci,
are much more likely to arise, In the first place,
from differences in opinion in regard to the CON-
paraiive merits of School Books for Legitimate
School purposes. But when the proper Board
have decided to recommend given book, It might
be hoped that teachers and the community would
regard the exclusion Of another, which they Nigh,
Judge preferable, as loss Of far less moment than
are the multiplied evils which the system Of rec
| concentrations seeks to avert.
"But there is still another source Of difficulty
in maintaining a uniform system Of text book,
yet more embarrassing, growing ont of effor
prompted by motives of pecrniary interest, t"
induce the community TO disregard the recon-
mendaticns which may have been duly made.
"In accomplishing the purpose, apparently al =
vantageous offers may be made. in which bette
economy and better books will figure largely. But
the remedy for this evil must be found. and e
might hope it would be sufficient one, in the
assurance which safely be given. that no such
promised advantages. however plausible and a.
Turing they may appear for the present. can besiT
to compensate for the ultimate pecuniary disad-
vantages, as well other evils Of breaking dow
a system designed to one Of protection and ben.
e6t.'' pp l3, ii.
As yet, the Superintendent is not only unpre
pared, but deems it unnecessary to recommeii,
text books in the more advanced branches, as =
is believed that great majority Of the scholars
will not need them. and ii is always desirable
to ''hasten slowly"
F. D. NELL,
Supt Of Com. Schools. for MIN Ter
Novou,bar lQSl