The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-05
AN ETERNAL QUESTION.

About this time of year, as the old-fashioned
alrnanacs had it, look out for school examina-
tions. What the almanacs really said was
'Look out for squalls" and that advice is not
entirely inapplicable to the examination peri
cd, inasmuch as the ordeal occasions Juvenile
agitation, not to say storms. 1t is when the
suspense is over and the youngsters, free from
anxiety, joyfully announce that they have
passed" that the paternal mind is disturbed
There is, Of course natural pride in the
fathers heart over the promotion of his
progeny to higher grade on the road TO wis
dom, but this pleasure is tempered by the
reflection that the advance means new school
books, and that in the purchase of such
books "gouge" is involved. Every right
minded parent wishes to provide his child
with all the necessary books and other aids to
learning. but even when the purse is full he
may feel justifable reluctance to paying for
such books twice what they are worth.
When, as is often the case, the purse is strained
BY the demands of two, three or half dozen
youthful students, the matter assumes seri-.
GUS aspect.
It is a fact well known by those who have
any acquaintance with the publishing bust
ness that publishers derive their largest
profits from the sale Of school text books.
This is readily understood when it is con-
sidered that many of these works are compila-
tons prepared in the establishments where
they are printed, and that no part of the pro-
ceeds of sale goes to their author" The col
lections of literary scraps known as 'readers"
are an example in point. Other instances are
found among the various editions of 'tgraded
lessons" in this, that, and the other branch of
study When these lessons are printed on
paper Of poor or medium quality, cheaply
bound. and sold at price higher than that
asked for other books put up in better and
more costly shape, the problem of profit needs
no further elucidation.
1t is not argued that these text books
should be printed on hard and heavy paper,
or should have substantial library bindings
Their fmsy character, the not infrequent
typographical errors, and the occasional blurred
pages which would condemn any other book
before it left the publishers hands are not the
cause of the chief complaints made by pur-
chasers. Such a volume, it is true, is apt to
be in tatters at the end of term, but mas
much as the frequent changes of editions and
authors renders the descent of book from
one child to another an exceptional event, the
cheap style probably answers every purpose
What the purchaser objects to is the necessity
book. The public schools are open to all, but
it is tuition only that is free. Upon the
stools" of education is tax that is unneces-
sarily burdensome. In poorer districts through
out the country it undoubtedly adds to the
sum of illiteracy. The problem is one to
which much thought has been given, and
various methods of avoiding the evil have
been proposed. In New York and several
other cities the free book system has been
tried, but this plan is open to objections.
Possibly the solution remains with some
publishing firm which will modify its greed
with philanthropy. and be willing to accept
moderate profit for the sake OF the public
benefit. The securing of such benefit implies
the existence of school board firm enough to
resist the Establishments of the school-book
ring. but that is not a matter for present local
consideration, Of course. The susceptible
school board is always in the next township.