The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-31
THE NEW BIOGRAPHIES.
What the State school superintendent OF
Minnesota and Others Say OF Them.


ST. PAUL, MINI, July 27-LSpecial. lin ac-
cordance with instructions, your correspondent
has made inquiries as to the standing of the
Niles biographies, in use in the schools of
Minnesota. First calling upon Prof. Kiehle,
the state superintendent of public instruction,
a copy of the indianapolis Journal OF the 10th,
containing, among other things, this statement,
was shown him:
Mr. Engelbach added that the new books TO be
furnished by the syndicate viii have no value out
other state To wit: Minnesota; and they are trying
to get rid OF them there. He predicts general pro-
test from the teachers of this state as soon as they
discover the character OF the new books
Said the correspondent to Supt. Kiehe:
"When were these Niles Biographies first
issued from the pressP
Supt. Kiehle-'The elementary geography
was first issued in 1885; the larger book in
1855"
Correspondent-'Were these newly written
books, or simply old books revised"'
Supt Kiehle-"They are newly written and
without any use of the material or methods of
the old SERIES"
Cor-'Is it true that Minnesota is trying to
get rid of these books"
Supt. Kiehle-"Nothing could be further
from the truth and the facts. The books are
held in universal esteem and are certainly
growing in favor. They are used in nearly all
the schools of the state to the entire satisfac-
Calling upon Prof. Sanford Niles, author of
the biographies. your correspondent read him
what Supt. Kiehle had said also the In
dlanapolis Journals attack. Prof. Niles said:
1T is very gratifying to know the general
favor with which these biographies are re-
ceived. In view of the attack made upon
them, to which you have referred, perhaps
some extracts from letters written this month,
which have come into my hands, may not be
inappropriate.
the state association of county superintendent,
says: we have used Niles Biographies in
this county ever since they were published.
They are growing in favor. We have yet to
learn OF an unfavorable criticism from any
teacher. We are perfectly satisfied with them
Here is one from Supt Engstrom of Good
hue county, the president of the State associa-
ton OF county superintendent in 1888, IN
which he says: The Niles Biographies have
been in general use in this county for some
time. We have found them the best books we
ever used in that branch. They have in every
case proved satisfactory
Here is one from Supt. Speery of Dodge
county, president of the State county superin-
tendents' association in 1887: The success of
Niles Biographies is gratifying, as it marks
distinct Improvement OF methods In geOgra-
ply
we had very little trouble in introducing
Niles Biographies, and are well pleased in
and they have given general satisfaction among
the school patrons. A few teachers have
found fault with the series, but they are teach
ers who like cut and dried questions and
swers.'
"Supt. Elliot of Polk county says: Niles
Biographies are in use in all the schools of Polk
county. Our teachers like them, the pupils are
pleased with them, and better work in the
study OF geography has been done since their
Introduction than ever before. They are doing
III IL 4 IL IL
their author, intended they should do, viz, dis
ciplining other powers of the mind besides that
or memory
''Mr. c. W. G. Hyde of the st. Cloud normal
school and state institute instructor says: L
have watched with special interest and some
anxiety the reception given to Niles elemen-
tary and advanced biographies in this state,
both because of my long standing respect for
the author, and because | was very DESTROYS
that books of such high merit should receive
the recognition that they deserve. The result
is just what | had hoped. Ny work as insti-
tute instructor has brought me into personal
communication with nearly all our county
superintendent since the publication OF these
books, and have yet to find one who does not
enthusiastically commend them. The only city
superintendent have heard of who preferred
another geography, gave the books a further
examination and put them into his school,"
In response TO a request for some informa-
ton as to himself Prof. Niles said 81 began
my work the district schools in Laporte
county, Indiana, more than forty years ago
and after teaching a number of terms in these
schools taught in Michigan City and Rensse-
laer, and have devoted my life to educational
work in Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota, CON-
ing to Minnesota in 1856. have had
the honor to fill many positions in the
educational field here. I began as a district ex-
aminer, was afterward town superintendent
was for eleven years county superintendent
have taught in more than two hundred insti-
tutes, and have been for seventeen years men,
Der of the state normal board Naturally have
given these Biographies my ripest thought and
experience. This subject has al ways been IA
know that the methods of these books bring
the same satisfactory results to others that they
have to me.n