The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-05-16
The school Book question.
WnEEL1Yo, Nav a, iS7O

WHEELING, May IA, 1870.
Editors Intelligence.
As the school book question has had q
"rest' Of some weeks, and any warm feel
ing which may have been en~gendered
during the discussion Of the question in
our Legislature has doubtless cooled
down to o healthy condition, l take the
risk Of stating a few plain facts and Of
making some suggestions. That this city
as well as the State at large has been pay
ing too high for textbooks, no one denies,
and that the remedy Is simple, and nov
within easy grasp, il we choose to avail
ourselves Of 1t, Is equally clear. Shall we
do it? What steps u Board OF Educa-
ton have taken in the premises
II any-I am not fully apprized, but
| have fortunately had the privilege
Of examining several series OF readers
lately, and am fully satisfied that while
each has some peculiar merits, that n
one OF them is fairly adapted, in the hands
Of askillful teacher, to fiji all reasonable de-
mands as text books, The books OF the
Eclectic tMcGuaey's) Series, now de-
posted with the State Superintendent as
samples, In accordance with the provisions
OF the law passed last winter, are certainly
models Of n%eatness, substantial binding,
and low prices, ranging from the First
Reader, OF so pages, at Is cents, to the
Si$th Reader, Of 400 pages, at so
cents. The thorough revision OF the
first and the second books OF the series
leaves little, we think, to be desired to per-
fectly adapt them to the most improved
methods OF instruction; whilst the selec-
tionR for reading exercises in the whole
series represent the best authors in Eng.
lish literature.
l am not the especial eulogist nor
champion OF the Mciuffey's series, for l
frankly admit that there may be others
equally well adapted TO our vents, hut It
seems 70 me that in selecting text books
for the city, there are three paramount
questions to be considered. Nirst, adapta-
bility in matter, style, graduation and
mechanical execution. Second, price, and
third, sympathy with our nelgRhoYs.
The first two points have already been
referred to. The third can scarcely be re.
allied except by those who have had some
business relations In the matter, or given
It special attention. As the law now stands
not one family in Ave hundred that comes
into the corporation Of our City from any
point without, that does not have to buy
Tor be furnished at public expense) q new
set OF readers; and the same annoyance
and expense follow those who leave the
city. This want OF sympathy with
our neighbors Of West Virginia and Ohio
entails a very large expense annually on
individuals and the public.
II seems to me, Mr.. Editor, that while
our various Boards Of Control are study
Ing the logic Of economy, that this matter
Of school books interests ahont ~ many o
our people as any other topic, and vel
deserves their earnest consideration, espe
ciRlly, as not laas than from 10000 to $50,
900 has been saved TO the State annually
by the prompt action OF our legislature
and since the initiatory steps have beer
taken by the State It would seem natura
for US to avoid ourselves Of the condition
thGs eaeFsd, a TAxpAHER.