Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-30
FREE BOOKS IN TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The question whether or not the State
shall furnish books free to tie Public schools,
is one Of great importance, and should be
carefully considered. The Lynchburg Vir-
gilman opposes it with much force in an
article from which we extract the follow
ing =
Before any member of the Legislature
commits himself to this measure, would it
not be well to first calculste the cost p
What will be addition annual cost p
Is there already surplus in treasury suf-
fcient to purchase these books, and if not,
how is the memory to DO raised? These
are grave questions, and should receive
thoughtful consideration By tho Legislature.
1t is perfectly manifest to every ons that
these books cannot Be purchased by the
State without addition revenue, end that to
raise the necessary AMOUNT tho rate Of tax
alton will havo to be Increased. OHr State
debt ia still in "a crEsstlod condition, and
it hard to toll in aevanca what amount it
will be nscessary g set apart to pny the
annually aeoraing interest, snd to pay the
cost of litigation attending it.
Tho cost Of prrchasine the books for she
schools hes bcoz put at S3Oo, 600, or more.
It is Difficult: to estimate in s6vsuco what
tho cost will be. Quo thing lie quite GER
tain: they will cost much moro when
furnished by tho gtatc than when furnish
ed by parents. Childrcn will Do less care
full with thoir books, parents will not feel
the same interest in then, and thero will
be few, if any, handed down from ems set
of childrsR to another. E-er where tho
best system is in opsr alton ard children are
required to return TIE books, they will gen
orally be brought back in such condition
as to be hardly ct for use again. 1t will
generally DO felt and said that the State
pays for them, and We need not be 30 par
ticular.
Again, it is unnecessary and useless eX-
penditure Of money. The State already
furnishes teachers. schoel-houses aud fuel
free Of of charge, and if any parent on
schools trustees that he as unable to purchase
6ookv for his child, or ,card, the books are
required to be furnished free of charge. 1t
is asking but little of . parent to furnish
books for children. after the State has
furnished everything elso. And more the
parents is not asked tn furnish the books
unless he is able TO do. co, for if he is nn-
able, we have e3en thnt the trustees nrs
bound to furnish than, Wonla it seem,
then shsee.s that as ths expenditure is asked for
in behalf e oeopls who srs 10 ttasg-their
oto. oy0ks, " 10 slsrue1c=or5 GEu Nssiesa.
The law, il caacted, will be burden som
to the people, and the measure inpolitic =
We verify believe shat the cost Of furnish
ing the books will bh half million dollars
or more, annually. This amount cannot b
taken yearly from the treasury without al
increase of taxation, and ths amount vii
increase every year. We already feel til
heavy burden of taxes, ard if our annual OK
penditures shall be increased half millo
dollars we will feel it etill more. Farmer
have but little ready money, and peopi
living in the cities and towns have heav
local taxes to pay, besides suoh as are PAL,
by ths farrssrs; and neither class is in an
condition TO have its taxes greatly increas
ed.
We believe the measure is impnlitie.-
For if, al rs believe, ''fles books" slsan
her taken, it beboovss US well to conside
Which OF tho TIVE she Fe 9Pls prefer Shal
swe increase oar taxes aud have fres books
Or shall Ne let the taxes remain and comp
those who are ~ buy their own books? l
1t not reasonable TO suppose that the tax
payers will prefer to have the low taxes?-
The Democratic party OF the State is tn
party which for. the most party pay tn
taxes o. the State. Does this party wan
TO tax itself to pay for books to educate til
children of ether people who are able to bu
ho0kzP Wos say, Dho are abis to buy books
FOR, as uo haze seen, il unable, the5 arc 70
quired rs Be- furnished :,nd.r che cxistin,
law. This ia the question which present
itself for DER caln and deliberate considar
alton. Would it rot 10 better to les III
BOOKS alone, rather than increase the taxes
Will it Eet do the party mere harm 60 in
crease taxes fer this parpeso, than to fai
to nre7do tho free hookaf We address
shis Last argEmens to those Who say be in
dvceG to consider The matter simply De
cause it il ia tho platform, nstvithnt9 adin.
their judGsnents tsll tben it i, isexpedient
Ths truth Is, thare 10 no urgens popula
demand for s'fres books" We have 81
excellsus systen Of public schools, end th
peoplo are content. We are in no eondi
tlen to Isov9 ct present. We are crampet
end crippled fog tho actual. indspsnabl
msans to carry ca the very machinery O
government VIC are unah;e to do so q
liberailv 20 We would like by oEr charitable
inotitutiono and GER 1icabled soldiers. W
arc reduced te the necessity eS appealing t,
tho nagncnir1ity and gereroslty 81 tk,
HOLDER CT coupon not to rse them il pay
reat Of taxes, lest the very wheels of gov
ersncnt stop.
Under such circumstances tho thought O
voting $500, 0G0 Tor free books' is shse
insanity"
A GooD CHOIcE.-The Legislature dix
an excellent thing in cleo ing DR.. John L
Buchanan Superintendent OF Public Instruc