Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-09
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CHANGE OF SCHOOL Books Nj Editor: We
are approaching the close Of our public schools
fof the current year, and the time when the Ques-
non OF text books Is always mooted before our
school committees. The agents Of various rival
publishing houses are, we learn, already on the
ground, operating upon the members Of the board
This constant change Of books is a great and In
pears that 1t Is wrought at the hands Of those very
creasing evil, and needs correcting; and IL ap-
ohcers who are appointed to protect the interests
OF the people in education. There is something
wrong about this matter In our committee
livery year we have change Of books, and pa
rents must lay aside those purchased little while
since, for another set. How does IL happen that a
book that Is not fit to be kept in schools but
year is recommended by our committee! IL IL a
proper question for the people to ask, What are
the Influences brought to bear upon those snn.r.
visors of the public good, by which they vote out
the same books they voted in a year previous! III
the book Is not worthy, then they were dereict Of
duty In putting II in; II IL was worthy then there
is some cause for this change of action
Were there but single instance of such fuc-
tuation IL might pass an inadvertence but there
must be some material influence underlying these
constant changes, which entail such cost upon
the laooring classes Of our city What are these
agents here for, Have not the committee the
books for examination? Are the gentlemen of
our committee 80 stupid that they must have an
agent TO explain the worth of the book TO be used
In our primary or district schools? Or, 10 the
agents particular presence and Sonlsthiag else
needful to obtain the required vote. IL were not
difhcult to find some facts in this connection.
will not say In connection with our present CON-
mittee, nor will | say IL is not.
This matter has been carried to an extent which
has become so disreputable to both school COM
mittees and publishers, that law has been passed
in Massachusetts that text books shall not be
changed without the unanimous vote Of the COM
mittee. j will not say our school supervisors
need any such restrictions but 1t is evident that
there is cause for the power that Is above them to
Inquire II there Is not here an abuse Of trust.
The agent Of Pratt Oakly d Co New York I
learn, 10 here with a view to look after the in
terests Of that hrm. OF the nature of the means
resorted to by the parties interested, the public
may Judge somewhat from the following extract
from Professor Charles Davies:
feel great reluctance In replying to criticisms
which are erroneous and unjust and which could
only have Deep made from entire misa pprehensio
or from determined purpose to misrepresent 1t
Is not my purpose to deny the right Of Professor
Dodd to introduce his books to your notice In any
manner that may seem to him best; much less, TO
question the taste of an author VINO approaches
you with one hand full of declamatory pamphlets
against works which he wishes to supplant, and
the other frelghted with sheets, landing, without
stint, his own productions These questions NAV
be safely left to the cultivated taste and
feelings OF the professions; may also the further
inquiry, how far the example of Professor Dodd
II followed by other authors would contribute
to the elevation of individual character and the
dignity OF authorship Fair, Just, and intelligent
criticisms, prompted by love Of truth and the
interests of science, should be received as valu
able contributions TO the great work Of public in
s;ruction. He who assumes to criticise the works
OF others-to bestow praise and measure out cen
sure-to assign places to authors, and fix the i'm
mutable principles of science-who traverses the
country, giving lectures TO teachers-who GEN.
sures where no words Of refutation can correct
error and vtndieate truth, should bring to the
task cultivated and well-informed mind spirit
Of fairness, and judgment free from prejudice
and self interest" EpUcATIoSIsr