The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-10
Grniuisoas textbooks.

To the Editor Of TIE Press:
1t is suggested that pupils in the public
schools be supplied with textbooks at the
public expense, the pupils having the privi-
leee of using the books while the property in
them is retained by the city government. 1t
is.claimed that the same principle that ap-
plies in this case OF buildings, teachers &c, is
equally applicable to textbooks. This how
ever is hasty inference. Boz t.r
There are several reasons for supplying
buildings and teachers at the public expense
that do not apply with equal force in the case
oftextbooks and several reasons against sup
plying textbooks which do not hold good n
respect to buildings &c. f. f..
Buildings and instruction are things in
which different individuals cannot acquire
distinct visible property. Combination is a
necessary ana society in its corporate capacity
is the most convenient and effective instru-
ment yet discovered for securing this oh
ject.
..- Because these are supplied at the public
expense it does not follow that the same
principle should be extended to cases in
which the same necessity does not exist.
Another reason for supplying buildings and
teachers at the public expense is, that, as the
burden ofproviding them might be too heavy
for those more Immediately interested, all
the members OF society may without injus-
tce be required TO contribute toward max
ing their burdens lighter; since all derive
from education at least an indirect advantage
in the greater security of life and prosperity
and the increase of wealth and happiness.
The burden of supplying textbooks does not
however seem sufficiently grevious to require
the interposition of the public especially if,
as now seems probable, the city government
shall make arrangement for supplying books
at wholesale prices. r.d1-l esl.1 81.
Any gratuity in the case of textbooks is
much more liable to abuse than in the case
OF school houses and their appliances, though
even the latter are not exempt from it.. -Ie
Public property is much more exposed than
private to injury, and, (if it be such as can be
stolen,) to theft. u a3er -.g-- ~. 4a
This is partly owing to laxaty of public
sentiment and partly to want of superYis-
ion. To steal private property is crime.
To steal public property lit is as shameful but
true) is too often considered only as a rather
doubtful practice. The direct interes in pri-
vate property keeps the possessor from injur-
ing it himself, and gives him more imme-
diate oversight and a. keener vigilance in
guarding it from the attempts of others. Peo-
pie will not feel the same care respecting
public property and to exercise the same
vigilance is impossible. "' & .i'A .ms
No private dwelling Is mutileted as are
some of our schoolhouses. The reason is
that those who do the mischief are lot the
ones who feel the loss. Tee scholars are the
culprits, but the taxpayers foot the bills. The
same disposition to mischief with enlarged
opportunities for its exercise, will exist in the
case of public property in the shape of text
books. School houses are less exposed to
injury than books, and if injured may be re-
paired. A book once injured viii go quickly
to ruin, and the. more quickly as the pros
pect of new one will furnish the user a
motive for fastening the process Of destruc-
ton. A thing SO easily concealed will more
over furnish ready opportunity for dishon-
esty. rt. ,afr IS -..s. .r.s..E. l..-.s.-.I 5I
1t may be said that teachers viii look out
for the books. It would be adding most
perplexing task to their already sufficiently
annoying duties; and besides making Their
position uncomfortable, it win be just SO
| much deducted from their effectiveness as
Instructors. Such sYperintendence as is de-
manded can be exercised only by the schol-
ars themselves. A thousand little delin-
quencles, unless they carry their punishment
with them in the shape of loss, must 60 un-
punished, because they are as difficult to be
detected as to be measured. To let each
scholar have the ownership of books he
uses will tend to develop spirit of respon-
sibility in the care of them. To furnish them
at the public expense will probably develop
spirit of carelessness that win make their
aggregate cost much greater than under the
present system without essen TALLY relieving
any one. There are without doubt reasons
that can be urged on the other side. These
ought to be duly weighed. But such policy
ought to be entered upon with the greater
caution because when once inaugurated a
multitude of private interests real or imagin-
ary will be interposed to prevent return to
the present system, however desirable such a
course may be-. .3 1eo ~ .-reI 54r. 3.
.