Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-07-11
School Books.


The near approach OF the annual
meeting Of the Board Of Education
renders pertinent some things We
have awaited opportunity TO suggest
for some time past. with reference
TO school books. The experience we
have had SO far in arriving at that
great dessideratum, the best means
Of imparting instruction with due re-
gard for the economy which our new
system imposes, has not been alto.
gether satisfactory. In fact it has de.
vsloped much that will he q guide to
the Board in making . judicious &C.
lection Of text books at the present
time. The prices at which books
have been sold has created as much
" the dissatisfaction 90 the antidelu-
Wan character OF the books them.
selves. This Territory seems to be
q favorite dumping ground for East
srn publishers. the favored spot OF
oil others upon which they can de-
posit tho sheets from their old plates
long after they are compelled by the
march Of educational ideas, to fur.
nish other sections OF the country
with new matter. with better arrange.
ments and better methods.
II is . qualification to know that
the last Legislature opened a way
for relief. and that other publishers.
with now books. approved by the
best educators, east and west, are
ready 10 supply US with q better ar.
ticls and for less money. While
competition is still limited. owing to
. combination OF most Of the school
book publishers. by which they
agree to enter into no active compe.
tition with each other, We have the
authority Of the american Stationer
for saying that Messrs. A. L. Ban.
croft h Co.. Harper Brothers and
Porter X Coates, are not connected
with this movement. add stand
ready to afford ~ low prices 40 we'll
- better value at an equal cost.
This il specially tue Of Bancroft's
Readers. They seem to u to be the
best and most attractive series We
have ever seen. and We are glad to
know that this opinion is shared by
20 many Of the most experienced OF
county superintendents Of the Terri.
tory. Among those who cordially
approve Of the Bancroft series, we
find the names OF c. J. 8. Greer, Of
Tacoma. Mrs. j. Newkirk Crawford,
Of Dayton. Owen w. Butler. of Car
rollton. o. 8. Jones. Of Seattle, W.
n. Neal. Of Goldspdals, Mrs. F. s.
Morrison. Of Pomsroy. Dr.. L. j.
Powell, President OF the Territorial
University, Mrs. Ann J. White. of
Portland ESQ we'll and favorablY
known in this community and
others. Mrs. Greer expresses our
Judgment when she says they are
perfection in every rerpect."
Hsrpers' Biographies are simply
superb. The latest revision shows
the new county subdivisions in our
Territory made by the last Legisla-
ture. This We have MOI seen in any
other geography. P~romptness like
this indicates that the work is up to
. high degree Of accuracy in other
respects. In the Introductory work
tho descriptive portion is written up
in tho narrative form 80 attractive to
beginners, and this 10 followed by
questions and appended answers,
embracing tie essential parts Of the
reading lesson which the exercise
forms. The School Geography is
divided into physical and political
geography, with two sets Of maps
illustrating tho subject % thus
treated.
The time has not been afforded us
for examination Of other books pre-.
sented by these houses, a. fully as
would wish, but, II they bear OK.
animation ~ we'll - the books
named above, the Board will win
heartfelt plaudits from the people
BY their adoption. High prices and
MAJ hoAha hAVA sulnA Lana Anough.