The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-10-17

THE SCHNoL Book QUESTION IN SOMERSET
TowNsHIP.-Poor "E. o. r. comes in
whining in the last issue of your paper in
defense of the action of the Board of Direc-
tors of Somerset Township. No one ever
intima,ed that the Board of Directors acted
with any intentional WRONG doing. but as
they themselves have said. they were badg
cred into calling a special meeting, August
:, lsS3, to accommodate the agent of Raub's
Readers, lac (the agent agreeing 90 notify
the members of the Board Of said meeting
but he .fdiied 10 notify oHe, Yes. my friends,
one of the members of the Board, who was
opposed to any change of books, was NOT
notified of that legal meeting and was not
present.
"E. o. II. SAYS in substance that this ac-
ton of August ;. 1883 was illegal, for he
says with flourish of trumpets they legal
i-ed it on the 22d of September. 1853. As to
the teachers being agents for Appleton's or
Raub's. care not. This know, that t,oeItty
out of the brenfy.f5U' teachers have signed a
respectful request 10 the Board of Directors,
asking them not to displace Appleton's for
Raubs Readers Directors, YOU have the
legal right to arbitrarily say what books
must he used, but the law prescribes a legal
irry for you to exercise this right. But
submit to you frankly, who are the better
Judges of textbooks, the teachers who are TO
use them or the members of the Board who,
though most excellent men, are all engaged
! in other occupations, and have not the time
to examine and compare textbooks. Now,
a word as to the merits of this questisn:
/ Appletons Readers are in Use in large ma
! ioritv of the schools of the county, being
used in every district adjoining Somerset
township. They are strongly endorsed by
County Superintendent Weller, and the
leading educators in the county. State Su-
perintendent of Public Instruction Higbee
saws: They are the best ] ever had in my
hands" They are used in nine out of ten
Normal Schools in Pennsylvania. Now, ad-
mitting this, gentlemen, why throw out
Appleton's and take series not used in any
other district inthe county, thus compelling
every parent who moves into our township
to purchase new readers, or who moves out
of our township into any other in the coun-
ty. TO also purchase new books.
One word more do not allow yourselves
TO be cajoled by interested parties to stick to
mistake you know four Of your number
have frequently said they were opposed to II
change in Readers, that there was no neces-
sity for it. no demand for it from your teach
ers or patrons, but that large proportion of
the people were opposed TO change. Hence
hermit me. in common with scores of 9TH
ers of your friends, To urge you not to per-
sist in inflictine this unnecessary and irk
some burden on Us at this time. Aeknowl-
edging you have made mistake is but
sayingyo are wiser to-day than you were
yesterday.
A word to parents ] can assure you on the
best legal authority, that Raub Readers are
not legally adopted. and until tney are you
are not Obliged to use them. and would
advise you not to exchange your old books
for the new until legal change is made, for
if YOU do you may have to make another
change in the very near future, but III the
name of the people whom you Directors
represent. and whom you say do not wish
this change, let me urge you to consider the
rights, benefits and wishes ofyour constiru-
ents Let the agents and dealers look out
for themselves.
A APAREST AND TAXPAYER.
Sipesyille October u, lsSS-