The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-09-14

does with view of inducing the peo-
pie ofall the States TO extend the elec9
tive franchise to the blacks.
The School Book Question.
Editors I1ltetEigencer:
The Public Schools having ORGANIZED
for the Fall session, it has become ne
cessary to purchase school books for
most ofthe pupils. In doing this, peo-
pie have been surprised at the high
prices of these books, which even the
increased value of all other goods does
not account for. The inquiry suggests
itselR,--what is.the cause of thisf To
answer this briefly is the object of this
communication.
1t is well known that for every branch
of science taught in schools, there are
about a dozen rival text books, issued
from as many diffent publishing houses.
East and West; each publisher claim
ing the superiority for his own book.
Many OF these publishers have one or
more travelling agents, employed at
nigh salaries or heavy commissions, to
visit all schools and seminaries in the
country, and persuade the managers of
these institutions to use their text
books. AS an inducement, most of
the agents, in order TO Introduce their
publications, are quite willing to bestow
new books to all the pupils of an entire
district or city, taking back the worn
and WORTHLESS books of their rivals, in
the hands of the pupils. These exchanges
frequently cost the publishers from
$1,000 to 1900. But worse means than
these have been adopted to force new
school books on community. To
guard against which the legislature, at
its last session, found it necessary to
enact the following law:
"No county superintendent shall act
as agent for any author, publisher or
BOOKSELLER, nor shall directly or indt-
rectly receive any gift, emolument or
reward for his influence in nrecOmmend-
ing the use of any book or school appa-
ratus or furniture of any kind whatev-
er. ANY act herein prohibited, shall be
deemed a violation of his oficial oath;
and any offer or solicitation to such an,
act shall be considered an attempt to
bride and corrupt a public officer.'
School laws, chap. "a, sec. 80.
But how do these publishers expect
to get back the money thus expended 2
There is only one way of doing SO, and
that IS by raising the price of their
books to cover this expense; so that
every teacher or superintendent who.
becomes party to such an exchange
IS instrumental in advancing the price
of school books upon working men.
People cannot now be Induced TO be-
lieve that the motives of these book
agents are disinterested. School teach
ers may dance, but the working man
pays the piper.
have been led to make these re.
marks in consequence of meeting of
the principals of our city schools held
Dy appointment at the Office of the
School Superintendent on the Sth inst.
One of these book agents met the con-
ference and advocated the merits of his
books. BE urged the teachers to adopt
his text books instead of those hitherto
urged. Tho principals discussed the
question, and without coming to a de-
cision, adjourned the debate." 1t is
not my intention at present to say any
thing of the comparative merits of the
dtherent text books. One thing is adj
mttted: After strict examination some
OF the most competent teachers and
scholars of this country have pro-,
nounced thetext books which nave been
used IN the public schools of Wheeling
for the past year, to be better adapted
for the purposes of education than any
others now claiming public favor. Un-
til the advent of an itinerant book agent
the teachers have generally been per-
sanctioned by law. But during the
past week some of them have expressed
objections to what they have hitherto
approved; and these objections being
not only identical, but expressed in al
most the same words, show that they
IS
But have the principals of the public
schools power to introduce new text
books at their pleasure? Weshall see
There is now in force in this State IAN
Act providing for the establishment of
a system of Free Schools, /" passed Feb
ruary 20, 1866. Section 50 enacts that
sIhe State Superintendent of Free
Schools shall prescribe a series of class
books to be used in the free schools
throughout the State. Section 81 en-
acts that 'HThe provisions of this act
shaU apply to The city of Wheeling 9 >
only so Tar as the same may be in con-
tormity with the provisions of an act
to Provide free schools Tor the city
of Wheeling. The act to provide
free schools for the city on
Wheeling makes no other provision for.
text books than that Just quoted.
therefore, sec, So, chap. "a, is now in
full force in this city. On the 29th of
August, 1865, the State Superintendent
OF Free Schools prescribed certain class
books to be used throughout the State.
The same was published in the INTEL
nIGENcER at the time. With some un-
Important exceptions, these books have
been used in the public schools ever
since. Therefore, neither the local
Board of Education nor the teachers
haYe any power, without plain vio-
lation Of law, to Introduce any other
text books into the schools than those
now used. therein. Do the teachers
themselves propose to violate the law
in this respect or do they intend to
sanction such a course2 Can a plain
Act OF the Legislature of West. Virginia
be trampled upon, and the authority of
the Slate Superintendent set at naughtP
Weshan soon know. =. Is. y.
Five Points in Regard TO Ihe
President.
From he Cgncfnriad Commercial
First. BE is upon political pilgrim
Eagey going up and down the country
making stump speeches of low order.
Second. He declares every day that
he is not travelling as President, but as
a "humble Individual, !" or as ga citizen
of the United States.H
Third, In this capacity he displays
himself as 9 violent partisan, and adj
dresses himself rather TO the passions
than the feason of the people.
Fourth. He has presented himself in
such q MANNER to the people, that they
can not honor in him the Chfef Matlis 4
trate of the nation, without proInotfnr
the purposes of the Iectioneerfng poIis