The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-11-09
CITY Board Of Education.

sOn, steele. Howard, Parker, Anderson,
Miller. Mccarthy, Ball, James Carberry,
Herhold and kenney.
The minutes of last meeting were read
and approved.
The Secretary's Monthly report of linan-
ces were read and ordered on file.
The Monthly and Quarterly Reports
from the several Principals of Districts
Nos. ], ,. 4, and colOred schools. were read
and ordered on file. 4u hl
The Committee on Test Books, to whom
was referred the petition of the various
teachers of Geography, praying that
Warrcn's. instead OF Mitchclrs Geography.
be introduced rs q text book in our public
schools, reported in favor OF making the
change asked for, providing the publishers
will exchange book for book without any
charge, and that the Superintendent be in
structed to carry out this measure. mo-
tiou by Mr.. Anderson TO postpone action
on the subject until next meeting was lost
and the report and Recommendation
adopted.
The same committee reported In favor Of
introducing ''Thc Song Garden as text
book i'm Central High School. Adopted.
On motion by Mr.. Parker. the salary of
Mr.. :. Parker Principal Of Colorcd School,
was increased to $3.50 per year.
The Committee on High School were au-
| thorized to admit Miss Perrine. late OF
| Springfield, Ohio, to said school, after a
satisfactory examination.
Mr.. Sternberger. of jackson. Ohio, was
granted permission TO send his sOn to Dis
triet No. 3, upon payment Of the usual
| fees.
| Bills allowed; r. A. Kerioot. $3.50: C. A.
Starr. S6l0; NJ. B. Davies. $50; Dixon,
| FOrgy 81 Co., SS7 %; Bates Brothers. 80 % /;
c. S. Goss, S2l; j. U. kreidler, S33 81;
James Wallace, Sl2; Al, Armstrong, Sl3;
| Mrs. Hardtung, 81 81; II. l.. Dorr, 81 (;
Misses Westlall 81 Miller, 50 George Hell
mick, 50. Board adjourned.
[Thcse bills win be ready for payment
on and after Monday neNt.-CLERKl
To ne Board Of EHaeatiop Of ne Cdy Of
Dayton.
GENrLEMEN--Thn undersigned. teachers
of Geography in the schools Of Dayton, re-
specttully petition your honorable body TO
change the text books now III use by sub
lstituing Warren's series Of Biographies
for Mitchells. We are prompted to make
this request from the deep conviction that
the interests of the schools Will be promo
ted by making the exchange desired. We
regret the necessity of q change in text
\ books SO soon after the substitution of
Mitchell's Biographies fof Warrcn's, but
as chat change was made under n misnp-
| prehension Of the facts in the case and rs
! the edition Of Warren, for which we now
! ask. is. IN our opinion. after years trial of
| Mitchell superiorto the latter-we are en-
! boldened TO prefer this petition. This stI-
periority consists, in part, In the facts here
matter stated, and is to be found in the
matter presented, the arrangements and
the style. In noticing these particulars it
is not the intention to enter into a critical
examination Of the two publications, but
to present some of the principal points of
difference.
FIRST MATrER.-Thc facts of Geography
are almost mnumerable-many of them Of
such a character that it is noteXpected that
the scholar should bear them in the memo
ry. Consequently that text book is TO be
preferred which contains the most iudicious
selection of matter.
Mitchell presents too much statistical
matter in his text. Warren places II in APP
pended tables. Mitchell pays compare
lively little attention TO Physical Geogra-
phy, seldom giving the animals peculiar to
the different countries. and in no eases does
he give travels or voyages. by means of
which the pupils are Interested, and their
knowledge OF physical features CONSOLE
dated and fixed in the memory. Warren
has been more than ordinarily careful in
the selection Of his matter; has not given
statistics in the text; has omitted mGnyun-
Important facts; gives the animals found
in the several countries and abounds I'm
entirely wanting in attention to Physical
Geography. yet, he has presented il in such
detached portions that the pupil gains no
clear conception, from the book, of the fea-
lures of the countries he is studying.
Warren gives lessons IN Geographical
Spelling, in connection with his map qucs-
tions; Mitchell, nCne.
ARRANGEMENT.
Warren presents his subject first as n
unity from which hedescends to details by
easy steps of analysis. His subdivisions
are natural and logical, forming an associ-
alton of ideas that are distinct, yet con-
nected. and so arranged that the scholar is
enabled TO commit readily, and remember
easily. Mitchell treats of his subjects in
lragmentary parts and never reaches unity.
In the Primary and through the first part
OF the intermediate, the arrangement is by
question, followed by the answer, the lat
ter In many instances, being defective SEN
tences, SO that the pupil obtains discon-
nected and imperfect knowledge of the
subject.
In Warren the text is compact. with
marginal questions, TO be used If desired.
Warren's Descriptive Geography precedes
the map questions, which contain thor
ough review Of the text, while in Mitchell,
the map questions precede the descriptive
part, which has no review.
Warren has partial and general reviews,
Mitchell has none
SrYLE.--The language of Warren is sim
pie, concise, very accurate and well adapted
to the understanding of the pupil Mitchell
is frequently inflated, and the phrascology
often cumbrous. The general style OF
Warren is free and flowing, and by It's
freshness depriYes the study of Geography
of its dryness, and that which i'm too
many. instances, is wearisome, if not re-
pulsive. is Invested with a new interest.
and Incomes attractive TO the pupil. |
Mitcllell's style Is dry, heavy and statsti-
cal.
IN concluding this petition il is but Just
to ourselves aud the publishers 70 state !
that the offer 10 exchange their publiea- !
tion for Mitchell, was made at the solicita- |
tion and upon the representation OF the |
Principals. And tilrthcr That our only |
motive IN asking a change of books, is that |
our pupils Interests. and the interest of the |
schools of the city generally, may be the |
better subsGrved.l We have taken this |
active part, because we feel thar we can |
with Warren's Biographies, produce re-
suits far more satisfactory TO you. gentle |
men, as Guardians of the interests of the |
Public Schools, 10 our patrons, and to our
selves. Since we have the work TO do, and |
our classes are 10 be examined rs TO the re- |
suits attained, is IL asking too much to re- |
Quest that we be allowed A voice Ia splprt- |