The Portland daily press., 1868-03-16
The scho0I-B ooi Question,
PORTLAND, March IA, 1868

Uniformity IOunu IN the columns OF the
Press March 5th, and over the signature oI
c. Z. Stetson, much esteemed fellow citi-
zen, we shall say but little.
Mr.. Stetson no doubt means well, but he
has scarcely touched upon the subject to
which "V. p" refers in the article OF March
81, and which was drawn up with IuI
knowledge OF the designs of certain parties
interested in the passage Of that "Uniform
list OF school books. The whole scheme is
wrong in theory and in practice. The old
song OF too "many books" and "immense saw
ing to the State" is, so faras tn th is concern
ed,no more undeniable to day. than few days
since.
We will suppose State containing 1OO,-
600 pupils is to be supplied with school books.
In place of giving each child attending phi
mary schools primer, or book containing
only the portion adapted to its immediate
wants, we must include the matter contain
ed in the first reader, and furnish each child
with book embracing the contents of these
tWD booN, costing not less than 46
cents at the lowest whole sale price; deduct
the extra expense of binding two books-to
be contai led under one cover-say cents
for binding, and we have book for the use
of the primary pupils costing not far from 40
cents; which book win not last so long in the
hands OF the primary pupil as the primer or
smaller book costing but IS cents; and this
rule is applicable in the use of Arithmetics,
Grammars and Biographies.
| &c
eXempl;fied in the loss of twenty-five cents
to every parent sending a child to the phi
mary schools OF our State, and if this eco
nomicat plan be adopted, after passing beyond
the use OF the primer and the first book OF
any series, the improved book would be found
too heavy, too unwieldy and too expensive
for practical use.
a For several years authors and publishers
have been trying to reduce the number of
books required in teaching various branches,
hoping thereby to gain favor and secure pat
ronase in the presentation of subjects en-
braced in series possessing these much de-
sired and often claimed advantages. To i'm
| part thorough knowledge of the informa-
ton required, we must have given number
OF pages, and these pages must be bound in
accordance with the immediate wants of the
pupil, and all this must comprise adaptation,
convenience, economy and what is most i'm
portdnt for school purposes.
1t is surprising we have made great
and sudden discovery regarding the loss sus-
tanned in the way of schoolbooks, under our
present system, "S50,OO0 and even $4,000 to
be saved" BY what? "Making our own
books" We should suppose the experience
illustrated in the attempted revision of the
vermont Speller, by the aid of the old Yer
mont Board Of Education, would satisfy
every intelligent man that though "of max
ing many books there is no end," few are
made that have little practical utility; for
this book, alter various experiments to resas-
citate it, died natuaal death, so far as that
State is concerned-by being dropped finally
| from the list of books selected for their own
use Authors and publishers have not
striyen for the lions share of public patron
age" and the author Of such charge can
not prove or show reasons for such an asser-
ton. We should be glad to know the name
of one. tua
Our people-"if they suffer" do SO because
school committees do not take the trouble to
make themselves familiar with the lowest
cash, or net price of books used by pupils un-
der care; the actual value of which books
could be ascertained by addressing each pub
Usher, who, would gladly give the desired
information.
Publishers without single exception, so
far as has come to the writer's knowledge.
desire that their publications should be fur
nished to the people at the lowest possible
price; and we have been shown communica-
tions on this subject, from leading publishing
houses whose books have an extended sale in
our State, in which they actually refused to
sell to parties charging an exorbitant price
for the same.
Inc nrst duty that presents itself to our
school committee is, to learn the actual cost
OF each book of the series in use; then fix
| fair price for the sale of the same in each
town, and see that these terms are complied
with, or appoint an agent who will comply
with rules belonging to justice and honesty,
IN the sale OF school books. We believe every
book,sold in this State can be disposed of at
the publishers wholesale price (which should
be printed on the cover of each book and
then profit of Is or 20 cents made, by the
discount invariably allowed on the part of the
publisher. The whole difficulty is really
eonfinel in nut shell, and Mr.. Stetson will
be able to discover the meat when he shall
induce school committee to adopt our suc-
gestions; and we guarantee he will find
publishers, whose books are generally used
throughout the State, strictly honorable and
over LIBERAL while the cause of complaint
lies at our very door, and exists between
retail, and perhaps, wholesale merchants
and the pupils.
Again, what kind of school books would
Mr. Steton manufacture to "order' and not
depend entirely upon 'slop work ?"
Biographies, arithmetics, grammars. read
ers and spoilers, as well as writing books. ar,
not the work of day; neither can books
worthy OF our schools be made "to order, OIL
improved upon, except by those who have
made school book making life long study
| AhuNh vi 1AO HldttTlsi tndJ Is VaIuaDle anC
embraced in the best works extant, canno
be used by compilers and competing author
without infringing on the copyright laws o
this country, and stepping upon sensitiv
rights, possessed by sensitive authors an,
sensitive publishers.
Few, it any, authors have yet succeeded il
their first efforts at school book making; time
experience, and vast sums expended by pub
fishers have brought us to our present hiel
attainment in this very important branch Q
industry; yet we know of few publishers o
school books ON this continent who can b
called rich, while very many have failed ono
or twice during business life on account o
the heaviest expenses incurred for the amour
of capital employed; none, in fact, who coulC
not have accumulated larger property, haC
the same amount of energy, industry and cap
ital been otherwise employed in the purfut o
any legitimate enterprise. And here allow
the writer to disclaim having any connection
with the "Greenleaf cdt"-whose tail canno
be annexed or attached TO an ANIMAL Whose
body is of much darker hue than that be
longing to the ordinary American feline race
We dislike, however, seeing good men used az
catspaws with which to "poke" other people:
| cleStnuts out of the fire: LET them burn thei