Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-04-28
SCHOOL BOOKS.

AS most of our readers remember the
last Legislature made change in the
law in regard to school books. Some
how the public had got the impression,
whether it was right or wrong, that the
State was being imposed upon IN prices
by the publishers and book sellers who
furnished the regulation books; and the
law was changed, so that each town
could take the book matter into its own
hands, and make such a selection, and
drive such a bargain with the publishers
as it chose. The law provides that a
book committee shall consist of the SUPER
intendent of schools and two other per-
sons, except in towns in which there is
a graded school, in which case the graded
school is entitled to two committee men.
This committee is empowered to make a
selection of books for the town, for the
five next years, commencing this fall.
The advantages of having prescribed
set of books are such as to need no argu-
ment in their favor; and the propriety
and advantage of having the books of a
county, section, or the State, supplied
with the same books will be seen by all,
and need not be enlarged upon.
The two important things to be con-
sidered by the committee men are the
character of the books, and their price.
Of most Importance, however, Is the
character of the books. Not only will
the education of our youth depend very
largely on their school books, but their
moral charter will be influenced by the
books they study in the schools. Those
who have had to do with school books,
know that many of them are wanting,
not only in adaptability, so far as impart.
ing instruction is concerned, but in their
moral and religious teachings. The
committees ought to give our schools the
very best text books, and class of read
ers that will teach principles of honesty
temperance and christianity. There are
no facts, truths, or errors more fixed il
our minds and memories, than those
learned from the reading books we useC
in our school days. Good books viii
teach rapidly and rightly; bad books
are curse.
Fortunately, there has been grea
Improvement in books of late, and oul
committees will doubtless have oppor
tunity to examine some of the very bes
published.
In regard to expense, it is probable
that publishers will be able to furnish
books at a much lower rate for the mex
five years. The committees will be wis
enough to get guarantees from the pub
fishers that the books shall be furnishe,
at stipulated rate for the five years t
come. The objection that some hav
raised in regard to any proposed chang
in books, on account of the expense.
not valid one. If one book is bette
than another, no parent will wish to hav
his children pursue his studies in til
poorer book, during five years, on az
count of the Insignificant cost of SWAP
ping one book or one set of books. Pub
fishers will make the exchange so yer
reasonable, that there will be little Q
no expense about it. A change in reaG
ing books is often desirable, even whe
the new reader is no better than tina
the old children get the old reader
learned by rote, and need new, fresh an
interesting reading matter. Good aritt
metics, biographies, and perhaps SON
} other text books, need not he changed
} they are up to the times. OF grammar
, it may be said, that few authors hav
, yet succeeded in making one that can
, itself make the study of this very il
: portant branch, pleasing as well as il
D structlve. Most of the old gramma
q have been dry and repulsive to larI
q majority of pupils. Some of the late
D books, however, are an exception to Il
f rule in this respect.
e Beside good book. furnished at re
y sonable prices, the committee will, dout
f less, see to it that they obtain boo
d that in paper, print and binding are
i to the best modern style. A good tho
: ough book, that will stand the ha
usage of the pupil and the school hou