The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-05-03
/. NUMBER NUMB ,..7.s,
Text BOOKS for schools.

| Mr. EDlToR:-In numerous iifstances;f' F.
have been requested to recommend . series
| Of text books for the common schools n
this State. My uniform response 10 sucK
requests has been, and will continueito be-
that the duty Of determining HE IS TO-
be. pursued, and the school books % b,
used in the several schools snndef9 their.
control, devolves, according 10 section n.
Of the new school act, upon the boardsof
education in Tie several townships Of thei
State. .'aHi aiS5i'Seffs GAsa s4.is eai
On the several subjects Of study usually
pursued in the common schools. there are
some half a dozen or more series oi text
books Of nearly equal merit--works upon
which men Of science, experiencsi and
ability have bestowed much thought Ind
labor. and iii which they have invested
their capital. 'be 'elaas ~ sgis9 esitod
1t would, therefore. be unjust to s.icfi
authors and their publishers. for the Conn.,
missioner Of Common Schools 10 throw
the influence Of his official position in IL.
vor Of the one or the other Of such meril
torious text beoks.ad' = - b.-lsa Ekss
Again: Il am inclined TO ahsi opinions
that less importance should be attaehedto
slight differences in the comparasiveEmer.
its Of school books than 10 the advantages
Of stability, and the imPortanos Of employs
ing teacher we'll qualified TO imPart ins
s,rnction in d proper manner. whstevsts
text book he may be required oeuss iiiisis
school. .le4h sioea 50 easas
To a competent teachef, itlisnot asniat-
ter Of very great .moment wtether' he
uses this or 'tflatc arithmetic, gfanmsyios
geogrs ply; for hecafl accomplish geod
work with atext book Of mod essxceAs
lence,, while an Indifferent teacher might
fail with one of very superior merits. 81
Willie, therefore, | shsll sfudiousiy avoid
publishing any opinions upon anysof the
series submitted for inyo apptovaf or DIS
approval, yet shaltnot hesitate toiexpssse
my views freelyfto individuals wholfHGy
desire TO Know my opinionsin relatiossS 10
any series Of school books Inafsgard to
the several series upon which + havsir
Gently been requested TO make known my
opinion, may be permitted to- state, shsl
if were employed 'inea school ia which
any one of them were used, | should n0s
tskef the tronbls'tes ave shem changed.
The adapt alton Of ttissor that series of
school books often depends moreupon Tho
manner in which abethsteacher and pupil
have been in theahabit ofinvessieaiinR i
particular subject than upohithe abstract
merits OF the text book ussd.s There II,
not unfequently.more advantage iE' know
ing how to use a iparsic icuiAr toot Or imple.
| ment, than in its relative excellences sasa
Township Boards III Ed0cations with
the, aid and advice ofgBeif best seachsEs,
should endeas6r,s as soon as practlcable,
to fix upon some ODE series. al d ,thsna1.
here 10 ii until some new work ashall make
its appearances with such superior mesis
as to warrant the expense oi a change.
II is the custom in; m any localities. when
the School Board ideteriain ed s0poAit
books to be used, 10 adhere TO them tsscGe
least Ave years, and lheh call meeting
for the purpose OF 7asoettaining whsthsr
any ch hanges aresreally demanded. sSaoh
a courseAi is productiye'Eof many iadvaa.
tages. lthelps to give stability to school
systefn. eRabling pupils 70 progress .regu.
iarly with their several studies. and PIE.
vents much needless expense to- parents.
eeas9 asii asH. H.i.BARNEY,saiiis
*7*f# e5;i % Com. of Common Sehools.