Daily Republican., 1879-04-16
Tho Geography War Re-opened.

knows but little if anything about &c
ography, or whether the earth is
round or fat surface. The report o
the book committee recommending
Oh angs, We are informed was signed by
three out Of five members and recon-
mends a change Of Harper's primary
geography for Warren's now in use.
1t was generally su opposed that this
distracting subject was settled about a
year ago when series of Biographies
was adopted at cost Of n,arly s2ooo
to the tax payers Of the city, but 1t
would seem from present indications
that the people are to be still further
taxed to pay tribute in this direction.
The proposition now before the Board Of
Education is to adopt another Primary
Geography than tho one now in
use. 1t indicates great fckleness
on the part Of the Board of
Education to adopt Geography and
then within a year to change it unless
strong and sufficient reasons exist for 90
doing. II the Geography adopted
about year ago, the leaves OF which
are scarcely yet soiled, was a proper
book to adopt at that time, surely it
was hardly possible that it has become
so soon unworthy to be retained. The
proposition of the book committee to
furnish another geography to be sub
stituted as the old wears out, while ap'
nareutly in the interest Of economy
really does not accomplish much in that
direction. The annoyance and incon-
venience Of supplying new book as
few of the old ones become unfit for far
ther use, are so great that to Secure
uniformity, many books will be laid
aside tha. are fit for use, and as it is
stipulated that the introduction must
be completed within a year, all that
are still fit for use at the end of that
time will be lost to the Board Of Edu.
cation and the tax payers Of the city.
II a certain amount is to be paid with.
in year for new Biographies, it mat
ters very little whether it is paid tke
frs! or the last six months, it all comes
within the conpass Of the year. Anoth-
er reason why no change should be
made now is that the disadvantage tt
classes by having new books injected
! in this fragmentary way will be create,
than the gain financially can possibly
be to tie city. None but practica
teachers know the great annoyance o
having different kinds Ct text books OF
the same classes. We doubt yer,
much whether there is any real neces
sity for such a change. The b0ol
it is proposed to displace is in us
throughout the schools of the Stat
having been recommended by the Stat
Board of Education, and it is also in u.s.
in many Of the leading cities OF tn
country, such as Philadelphia, Boston
Brooklyn, St. Louis, Chicago and else
where, from which We might reasonabl.
infer that it can not be a very intero
bo X. As economy is desirable in ever,
department of the city, and there be
ing no real valid objection to the bool
now in use We very much doubt the pre-
priety of making a change at the pre-
sent time, and especially as the term
of one half the members OF the Boar
will expire in two weeks more, woul
it not be wisdom to let tho new Boar
that shall be elected on the first SatuI
day in May choose the book that the
may deem most suitable, but as tn
book now in use will last anyhow abou
year longer, we think it would b
more advisable to let it wear out tha
to push it out unceremoniously simpl
to make place for rival at an expens
of nearly $4,000 to the people who pa
the taxes.