Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-03-25
TEXT BOOKS.

School or text books are found in large
| quantities. Agents Of every book publish
ing firm are everywhere working to intro
due their publications, each claiming
their books superior to any eXtant. There
are statute provisions for the support of pub
| lie schools, the rich and poor share alike in
contributing their mite, but the purchase of
the necessary books for the pupils use de-
wolves upon the parent himself. An idea
is prevalent among parents that two pupils
| for even ,hree) can use the same book to
| good adva ntage-when one is tired the 9TH
err one is fresh; when one has the lesson
learned the other can begin to learn, and
thus keep the book in continual use that
the cost may tie realized. Book firms will
gratefully furnish all that are needed-to
every ten sold, one hundred conld be fur
| nlshed, the larger the sale the larger the
| profit, as to a choice selection, one ought to
| be found among the many, in every way
| adapted to the tastes and wants Of every
community. Teachers may suggest RENE
| dies, but to secure their adoption is quite
another thing; teachers may suggest to
parents that their children need such and
such books, but to enforce this is quite an
other and more serious question; teach
ers may also suggest the propriety of re-
pairing schooi-rooms-,he teacher and
| scholar both reaping the benefits, but to
make the Director act in accordance with
this suggestion is seldom perfected. I he
| only antidute that teachers can administer
| in such cases is moral suasion in very mild
doses, and if this fails to effect a cure ali
hopes can be given up. Parents generally
DELAY the purchase OF books till the com
mencement Of school, in order, they say, to
ascertain what books are absolutely wanted,
and those only they wish to buy. There is
class who is willing to purchase those
recommended, and on short notice, too
respect to such, but there is another class
who are never ready, never have the spare
change, and sometimes rest assured that
neighbor A., who is nlway accommodating,
will allow his children to lend them theirs.
This is a false theory, and in fact should
never be practiced. The object of govern
ment is the good Of the governed laws are
enacted to protect the good and restrict the
bad; if crime was unknown there would be
no need of criminal code, and if all men
would do rs they would like to be done by,
peace, tranquility, happiness and law would
everywhere reign supreme. Poisons have
their antidotes; evils have their remedies,
and if the proper authority is appealed to,
and applies the remedy. all will be gained.
The Board of Directors have this authority
vested in them, they can make such regula-
tons as in their wisdom are needed for the
benefit of the schools. They can adopt
series of text books for their respective dis
4 tho,c intr h.,
can grade the schools and fix standard
qualification for each grade; they are the
local school legislature and have the statute
authority to enforce their acts. Teachers
as we'll as parents are bound to respect this
authority, and not one will be found so un.
wise ms to doubt it.
Scholars in the majority Of cases grade
themselves at present in most of our coun-
try schools After having read the pieces
in any reader they think that they are sure
" prepared for higher grade, and thus we
see scholars in our country schools reading
in rhetorical guides, thinking thereby to de-
monstra,e their proficiency, while the words
they read are as meaningless to them rs to
the savage. This should lever be allowed
the teacher can't root it up if it should be
attempted. and the Board don't attempt it,
so here ii lies. Does teacher attempt it,
parents think they are insulted, and show
such opposition, that in the end they foil
the plan of the teacher. 1t is easier to sail
on a calm sea with favoring winds, than on
rough and stormy sea with boislerous
winds; at first the frail bark is tossed to
and fro, no assistance is found, the pillows
sweep over it, and finally sinks into the wa
tery grave. The Board mny meet like diff
cullies, but the stability of their vessel viii!
land them in the peaceful haven. No
teacher is properly qualified to teach but
one branch, and this only after years of
preparation, while the country schoolma'-
ter is expected to teach rhetoric and logic
as fluently as class in the primer. Our
country schools should be graded, and the
Board of Directors should do il; each
grade should be provided with such studies
as are adapted to the age and mental train
ing Of the children, and suitable text books
required, that the end will be gained. The
Boarl in BODY should visit The schools.