Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-14
orr PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Text Book Question Before the
New Board OF Trustees.

The Text Book Question Before the
New Board Of Trustees.
The Board OF Trustees of Public Schools met
last evening at Franklin building-Mr. B. P.
Davis in the chair, Mr.. Brooks secretary, and
all the members present except Messrs,
Matthews and NOurse.
communication was received from the
District Commissioners inclosing petition
from an ex-teacher of the colored schools CON-
planning of the rule which debars married
front lo ia
applications from j. W. Sebastian to do
plumbers work; from Moses R: Thompson,
Daniel Washington and John E. White, for
lanitors' positions; from Mary Mcnamara,
Ellen M. ArmStead, Maggie Lynch, Charlotte
Il. Ray and Marie E. DeSpenville, for teach
The sub board OF the sixth district reported
In favor of establishing school on Good Hope
Hill; adopted.
MI Curtis presented communication from
| the trustees of the Minor School building, in
| reference to the damages done to that build
ing by the late storm, and asking that pro
vision be made as soon as possible for repairs
in accordance with the contract made by the
District Commissioners. The communication
was referred to the committee on buildings.
with instructions to report to the board
THE TEXTBOOK QUESTION.
Mr.. LOyejOy, from the special committee on
the contract for the Introduction of Robinson s
mathematics into the schools, to supercede
signed by Mr. Farley and himself. Your
committee, to whom was referred the pro-
Taylor & Co., book publishers, of New York
city, with the Commissioners of the District,
looking to the ratification and completion of
the unfinished action Of the late Board of Trus-
tees in regard to a change of text books in the
public schools, report that they have con-
:idered the same and recommend that it be re-
turned to the Commissioners disapprOved
and further, they deem it inexpedient to adj
wise change of textbooks in the public
schools before each member of the board has
nad reasonable time ior careful e5aminatton
leading works on arithmetic and algebra. We
return with this report communications re-
two series, and other exhibits, such as pr.ce
lists. &C., We file herewith our individual
views ON the question submitted"
FARLEY IMPARTIAL.
Mr. Farley submitted his individual report,
that while fayorlng a change OF the mathc
NAUTICAL textbooks now in use in the schools
he considers it inexpedient and impolitic to
make change at the present time"
MIR. LoyEJoY's REASONS FOR OPPOSING A
CHANGE.
Mr.. Lovejoy submitted an individual report,
in which he refers to the proceedings of the
school board and the District Commissioners
On the subject, and states that an effort WAS
made to obtain expert testimony on the conf
parative merits OF the two series. He refers
10 The opinion of MI. G. B. Young of the En-
better book; think you would regret any
change that your teachers would, 1 know
lie gives reasons for retaining Davies series
as fellows: 1St They are the offspring of a
profound and philosophical thinker who dedi.
Gated his life to these subjects. %. With good
teachers the text book is an adjunct and as the
principals aud teachers are familiar with
Davies series great advantage is assured
both instructor and pupil by retaining them.
Sd. That it is the solemn duty of all who have
the true interests OF education at heart to dis
cOuntenance and discourage the manufacture
and multiplication Of text books inspired by
no higher motive than mercantile rivalry, en-
dOwed by no loftier spirit than commercial
two series from ShillingtOn, Morrison and Bal
lantyne, and deduces from their lists the fol-
lowing: That the regular retail price of d.
regular retail price of Fish's two book series,
and As cents less than the regular price of
Fish .s three, book SERIES that the special re
comparison with the special retail prices pro
posed by Fish's publishers, are Is cents less for
Davies three books than for Fish's two and Is
cents less than for Fishs three books that the
contract price for Davies series is cents per
dozen less than contract price for Fishs two
books, and sl62 per dozen less than Fish's
three-book series; that in any comparative
aspect Of the two series, Davies books are the
cheapest
He submits as final reasons for recommend
ing the disapproval OF the proposed change:
fiduciary relation to the Commissioners and
the public, and are officially pledged to aid the
one and protect the other. Second. That we
nary action of the late board. however much
it commands our respect ana confidence, be-
cause We are responsible for the conclusive
errors to the account of our predecessors.
Third. That the changes in textbooks have
always been and always Will be justly unpop-
ular, and that, as our schools are supported by
the public, we should always respect their pre-
JUDGES when reasonable. Fourth. That how
ever advantageous in an economical point of
view, this change might be to the pupils this
year, presuming tfat this contract could be-
legally executed to the beneficial extent its
supporters claim, nevertheless year hence
the substitution VIII be an additional expense
TO the parents OF the pupils, and the slightest
imposition upon the tax payer or parent under
existing circumstances wrong and inexcusa-
MIR. LLoYD's REASONS FOR A CHANGE.
Mr. Lloyd submitted the following minority
report:
The undersigned, member of a special
committee appointed at the last meeting of
this board to consider and repOrt whether
contract or agreement presented, which the
old board Of school trustees require to be ex-
Brakeman & Co., of New York city, as con.
dition precedent to the Introduction OF Robin
sons series OF mathematics. published by said
of said old board, respectfully reports that
after careful examination find that all the
requirements OF the old board are contained
in said contract, and an additional guarantee
has been made by said house that the retail
prices of RobinsOn's arithmetics shall not ex-
coed the following rates:
TwO-BOOK SERIES.
Robinson's First Book Observation-Disclosures IS
Complete Book. q IS
1Otdi ~ 10
THREE-BOOK SERIES.
RObinSOn'S First Book. .........S0 IS
RoblnSODS Part First Observation-Disclosures. o 81
RobinsOn'S Part Second. 0 81
a,
The terms offered for the Introduction of
this book are of the most liberal character, ex-
changing book for book.
When it is considered that it is the almost
unanimous opinion of the present school Off
GERS that RobinsOn'S series of mathematics is
much superior to the series of matthew atics
now in the schools, the board, in my judg-
ment, should at once take the steps necessary
to placing RObinsOns mathematics in the
hands of the pupils at the re ODeuing of the
schools. To this end ask the adoption of the
following resolutions:
ReSOtUed, That the action of the old B )ard
OF School Trustees in adopting Robinsoas
series OF mathematics, in lieu of Davies series
of mathematics, meets with the approval of
this board; and that the superintendent are
hereby instructed to see that RObinSons Sc
ries of mathematics is placed in the hands of
the pupils at the re-opening of our schools, or
as soon thereafter as practicable