Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-17

most experienced educatonists on both sides Of the
Atlantic as Of the utmost importance TO the ecieu
cy oil the schools and the progress of the pupils.
Inc question may be considered as so entirely
settled by common consent in this province, that
need not again adduce the arguments and aathori-
ties of educationsts 10 other countries as have
done in previous annual reports, to evnce the i'm
portance of but one series of textbooks for our
public schools, and to show the losses and evils
arising from admitting diversity of textbooks in
the schools Having succeeded in this vital branch
Oh our work beyond any country or state with
which 1 am acquainted, it remained for US to
render the textbooks perfect in matter and
method, as good in quality, and as moderate in
price as possible
Again in 1868
The question of uniformity of textbooks is
now SO settled by the common consent in this
country, that need not adduce the arguments and
authorities of edueaionists in other countries,
nave done in my last and previous annual reports,
to evince the Importance of but one series of text
books for public schools, and to show the losses
and evils arising from admitting diversity Of
text books in the schools. We have thus far
ceeded beyond any country State with which
am acquainted, in America or Europe, in establish
ing what the educatoniss of all countries consider
to be Of the utmost mportance--uniformity of
textbooks in the public schools /; and it now re-
mains for US to render them perfect in matter
and method, Us good in quality, and moderate
In price, as possible"
and uses uniform series throughout the entire
Province
4th The testimony and erpeeace of States adopt
ing State uniformity favor the plan. Vermont estab-
lished uniformity in 1858, re-enacted it, and con-
tinues 1t upon the Statute book to-day without any
difficulties except such inflicted upon her BY
"enterprisng publishers" whose books were not en-
braced in the list selected. The weak point in the
Vermont law is that there is penalty attached to
Its violation. To-day the people in Vermont get
/ hair hants 70 .Ln A.
do in Maine. 1t is true that tho people in Vermont
and Brook lyn purchase books other than those
prescribed by law cheaper than the books selected.
This however results from the eforts Of rival pub
fishers to break down the present arrangement
Efforts dictated by policy, not economy.
California established uniformity in 1868. The
law continues in force. In 1867 Superintendent
SWEET reports follows:
"The State Superintendent has not found 1t neces-
sary to enforce the penalty for not adopting the
State series of textbooks in single instance since
the passage of the law in 1868. The people, see
ing the advantages to result from 1t, have cheer
fully complied with the law. Occasionally some
teacher in remote county district wise in his
conceit, has smuggled avorite old fossil text
book. like Smiths Grammar, into for single
term, but these cases have been exceedingly rare.
am confident that this single provision of the
school law has saved to the people of the State
during the past FIVE yean $50 900, in the purchase
OF books, to say nothing Of the incaculable ad-
vantage derived from it in classification Of the
schools Tho action of the State Board in the
adoption of the State series, placed above
picon from the fact that il based upon the
! of the teachers assembled in State Convention.
few honest-miuded people at first were opposed
to a uniform State series, the ground that it
would lead to monopoly by publishing houses;
but even these have now become convinced that the
limited demand for California has not been sufficient
to be felt at all by the great publishing houses in
New York. Boston and Philadelphia.
ain not aware that any one has yet discovered
that any Of the textbooks on arithmetic, geogra-
ply, grammar physiology, partisan in
their character. The impression seems to have
prevailed in parts of the State that the State
Board and State Superintendent bought by
book publishers, and that they have grown rich
percentages received from the sale of books The
simple fact is that the State series Of textbooks
voted by the teachers Of the State, assembled in
convention and adopted by the State Board, before
the publishers in the East knew of q law autho-
rizng the adoption of State series. Neither the
State Board the State Superintendent has
either received or asked any consideration from
publishers, nor have they been insulted by auy
such propositions"
In conversation with Mr.. SWEET last summer, he
informed that the best of results still aow-
ing from that enactment.
In Maryland uniformity continued two years, and
was then overturned, together with the whole
school system. This happened two years after the
afnties and changed her whole political machinery
Would our friends, the advocates If town uniform-
ty, like to follow Maryland in all her overtarnings
and abolishments? Tennessee has just followed
Msrylands example, turning away her State Supt.,
Gen Eaton of Vermont who had just succeeded in
establishing a system If free schools Gen Eaton
succeeds DR. Barnard in the National Buresu Of
Education. X States in Wisconsin uniformity has
been abolished l am suspicious here is another
display Of ignorance. or is it another attempt to
carry false impression to the people of Mane
We will quote from the Superintendents report
for 1868:
''The law makes it the duty Of the State Super
nteudent to recommend the introduction of the
most approved text books, and far as practical
Bile, TO secure uniformity in the use of textbooks
in the common schools throughout the State.
For eleven years past no attempt has been made
by the State Superintendent to secure uniformity
of textbooks. except by making an official recon-
mendation of such works as seemed to be best
adapted for in the schools and four years
past this recommendation has covered, in the main
branches of study pursued, the works of several
authors. Section So of the school code provides
that .'the board in each district shall have power,
under the advice of the Superintendent Of Public
Instruction, to determine what school and text
books shall be used in the several branches taught
in the schools Of such districts This practically
puts the whole matter into the hands Of the district
boards, the Superintendent having no power to en-
force his Recommendations, and as consequence
uniformity Is not secured"
Wisconsin has had iaW for State uniformity.
How could she abolish what she never had need
not mention other States or cite Canada 1'leave
the evidence to those who are seeking for truth,
albeit they obliged sometimes to wade through
error.
5th. l have no hesitation In saying that the
State of Maine is generally demanding State uni
formty. The principal exception few of the
cities, not all. Portland and BaAgor are opposed
to it. They feel Inconvenience from the variety
of textbooks and wish 'to be let alone" This Is
very natural, but does not seem to me to exhibit
the generous nature attached to and Inherent 10
common citizenship, broad and deep interest in
the Daily Public School and the veal Of the COM
mon people. Bath is Indifferent, and we'll she may
be, for il is tho only city in the State which by
special legislation may purchase at city expense
books for the scholars This she does efecting q
great saving. "At the tune the COMMITTEES began
to furnish books, they made arrangements with
most Of the publishers Of school books BY Weh they
purchased and ,cH Be able Aeneeforft to purchase
school books for about 20 per cent. less than
the wholesale prices"-( Bath Report, 1869 Ihave
not yet been able to find remonstrance from Bath.
Rocksnd sends in a remonstranee with only one
signature The people Of Rookland, however, in
public meeting, expressed themselves through a