Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-02-17
5tbnpl Matters.
SELECTING SCHOOL BOOKS.
,Tis often seer

AuOptl00 strives Win naIuf6.---Sh GkSPtdTes
What dreadful subject "Selecting School
Books "HOw dare you, sir, approach this
subject" vehemensly exclaims an old sinner,
who has never bought but two books in bis life,
so he says, Bible, and a copy Of Horry'S
Life of Marion the former was presented by
the Bible Society, under the supervision of the
Rev. John Lyon, aud the latter is an inheri-
tance from his grandfather, good old soul, who
''fought, bled and died" in the sWhiskey In-
surrection," and was buried with the "bravest
of the braves" s'How dare you, sir, mention
this subject, when you know that we must be
continually buying books to meet the changes
that are everlastingly taking place in the eys-
TENS in use. Sir, have made up my mind
that | woo't buy any more, so no more changes,
or no more selections for me-"
Well, just as you think iu the premises -
After buying such number, who doubts your
reluctaney to purchase new supplies? certainly
do not. You are Rot the only ono ! have
heard making use of the same logic, and l
have known them to practice it. Ihave known
men to pay from SIS to S25 school tax, and
send their children to school an entire winter
without procuring for them the requisite books.
The only reason advanced for this delinquency
was the inability to pay such heavy taxes, and
then pay couple of dollars more for school
books Oh Heavens defend US frem such
economy! This is speculation, with a VEN
geauce To pay SIS or $25 school tax, and
lose every cent of it, when a dollar or two
spent for proper books, would enable him to
reap hslf-dozen times it's value. Do you
comprehend, Mr. Sordidt Your children can
do nothing at school without books. Will
you pay your taxes without recompense g.
A few psi;ry dimes will save you a half dozen
times the worth Of your money 10 the educa-
ton of your children. No, you are more of a
specuator than to make such bargain, feel
confident.
The method of selecting school books now
III practice, is not the best system tina; might
has its difficulties to contend with, aud they
are not few; nevertheless, in the absence of
better method, it must answer. School Di-
reetors are not always the best qualified per-
ions to choose such books as the schools In
their respective Districts require. They
have their objections to changes, and have
decided advantage over those who OBJ
ject to everything, in being able to put their
objections into practice. Self-interest goes ia:
in making up basis of action. Peter cries
most Justify in favor of the Bible in school as
'sText Book" because be is confident Par
son Windy, iI his ''Discourse on the Degene-
rate sons of ADAM spoke from that good old
text, s'The proper study of Mankind is Man.
and why not adopt text book with such sub
lime philosophy and if others were not as
we'll supplied as he is, why be can dispose of
copy or Two at cost and double the cqrriage
Paul vehemently urges the adoption of some
by-gone Hardshell affair, that has long since
been applied TO filling hooks in bookcase or
crevices in tbe chimney, save a halfdozen or
SO on booksellers shelf, which were eventu-
ally sold at auction, for one-half cent each,
and purchased by Paul, who is now willing to
have them adopted, and to supply the commu-
nifty as far as his few copies 60. The many
honorable aud intelligent exceptions to the
above Peter and Paul alone have saved Us
from worse fate than being plunged into uni
versal ignorance, and to these let US lift up
our voice in thanks, until the bills, mountains
and valies echo aud re-echo again and again.
Teachers are not always infallible on this
point. One strenuously espouses the cause of
Comly's Grammar, from force of edueaton;
another vociferously bellows for Old Cobb's
Series, which is JUST one hundred years be-
hind the age, and still third for Davies
Arithmetic, rather ancient institution
Each has his peculiar reason for the step he
takes. / would not wish to associate modern
teachers with this last class of worthless, for
they are behind the age, and, therefore, neces-
sarily belong to another era.
Il would be we'll for the modern teachers Of
Bedford County to assemble in Conve ntion to
select series of books, to be recommended to
the Directors at their trieunisl Convention in
May next. r. Dur6orroc.
Woodberry, Pa.