Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-06-14

was read from Mr.. Fresse, the superintendent Of
instruction -
Rev. j. A. THoME, China Com on Text Books
On review Of The whole matter relative 20
change Of Readers, II is my opinion that no change
ought NOi0 10 be made. and when one is made, al
the nelo series Of Reading Books ought TO be ex.
amined Very Truly,
In oxplanatl on Of the report and in reply to a
qestion ras3d the Committee remarked, that, as
their Report read, it was advised that no change
be made ROi0. What might be done hereafter was
left entirely to the Board. They had agreed in this
report, not deemng Il expedlen. 70 make any ex-
oitement now on this subject, bat to dispense Of
the matter for the present and let the future action
be what might be called for by the wants OF the
schools. according TO The Judgment Of the Board.
Mr. Pratt wanted some explanation as to the
fact that there were now In use in the schools a
part Of two series Of Readers, Webbs and Hi.
lards.
Mr., Bradburn replied that when the late Board
took action IN this matter only part Of Hillards
series were published and all were adopted which
had then been published.
Mr. Pratt remarked that in that case, II was ev-
ident that there was now no full series in use in
the schools and it was OF great importance that
uniform series be adopted throughout the city and
throughout the series
On motion, the report Of the Committee On Text
Books was laid on the table.
MIR. Pratt then offered the following resolution.
ResOlUed That McGufy's entire series OF new
Eclectic Readers be introduced in the public
schools Of this city at the commencement Of the
coming school year, ia accordance with the propO.
sition OF the publishers.
Mr.. Bradburn hoped that ifa change was to be
made, the Board would act upon the suggestion Of
Mr. Freese, to carr fully examine all the new Sc
ries which are published and take the best
Mr.. Pratt opposed all posponement Of the
question: and reflected somewhat harshy upon
somebody, for having published and sent ou, cir.
culars containing the replies TO the letters Of in
quiry addressed by the Committee on Text Books,
to teachers of various cities and towns; and also
thought that there was too much outside innu,
euoe brought to bear upon the Board in favor Of
the present series of Readers, instancing an urh.
Gle in the Leader Of yesterday morning. which
opposed any change, which he considered an
"oulside influence" which ought not to be allowed
to prejudice the Judgment Of the Board.
Mr.. Stanley had no interested motives, but
thought that If there were good books, such as he
believed MeGufey's Readers were, which could
be introduced into the schools, which would be
better than the present, he would favor their in
PRODUCTION He favored a change Of readers as
often as we could find one series better than
! those in use.
He reflected very harshy upon the article in
tho Leader, insuuauDg strongly that the publish
ers and editors Of this paper had stated things
| that were not true, and had inserted the
! article without taking pains to ascertain the
truths Of the matter. Such statements on the part
OF the gentlemen were FIRST entirely foreign to
the subject matter of the discussion. and second,
unworthy bis position as a member Of the Board.
His charges were entirely uncalled for, and it
seems that he has yet to learn the fact that Eds
tors have the right to express their own opinions
without fear or favor, and these articles are not
to be guaged by what one or another may think
or wish.
On motion of Mr.. Bradburn the teachers present
Ivuar inv NIal- a
Readers Mr. Fry Of the st. Clair Street School
and Mr.. Perkins Of the May Flower, expressed y
decided preference for Hiards. Mr.. Norton Of
the Ii gh School, was well sausfe with Hillard.
Mr.. Ogiatt, of Eagle street, had preference for
McGufey,
MIR. Thome gave the reasons of the Committee
for the Report which they had presented.
These reasons Otthe majority of thy Committee
together with the minority report presented by
Mr.. Payne, we are compelled to omit for want o
space.
Mr. Pratt presented some reasons why he pre-
terred McGufey As to the mechanical execution
Of the two, he had authority of book binders tha
the durability OF the binding &c, Of the two serie
were equal. His reasons for preference were sui
stantially covered by Mr. Payne's report
Mr. Hayes considered McGuneys system o
, graduation far superior to Hillards In the latter
we find selections in the primary readers which
are too difficult for the class that uses the book
r lie hoped for more definite report from thl
OOMullteei anu laNOfeu inc lnlIOuuCuon OF NC
, Gufey.
Mr.. Fogg, moved as an amendment, that McGu
+ fy's I'd aud Sd books be substituted for Webb's
which are now in use. He thought this oOmpro'
mise would be satisfactory
After long discussion the amendment was los
- by the following vote Ayes-Messs $. Bradburr
Thome, Payne, Fogg Nays-Messrs. Maynard
Pratt Hayes, Reese, Vaughn, Stanley
MIR. Pratt then moved that the McGuGey seriC
g be adopted with the exception of the highest Nc
Gutiey which might be dropped, aud il the Gran
mar School Teacher chose, they could use the tir
. class Hilliard, Adopted by the following vote
e AYEs-Messrs. Hayes, Pratt, Stanley
y Vaughn, Reese, Payne, Maynard. NAYS
g Bradburn, Thome and Fogg;
/, These books it ID understood are to be give
0 to the schools in return for the old ones, an
will be no expense to the scholars.
The long agony being over the Board az
!, jOurued at midnight having expended enoug
wind in talking to carry Don Quixote's win'
II mill