Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-07
ON THE OTHER SIDE,
An Experienced Educator 0p-
poses the Proposed School
Book Measure.
LAWS OF OTHER STATES.
Similarity of Text Books by No
Means an UnmiXed Blessing.
WHYAVARIETY is MUCH BETTER.
Uniformity Enhances Prices and Gives
Poorer Glass of Books,
LAWS OF OTHER STATES.
WHYAvARIETY is MUCH BETTER.
PERTINENT EXTRACT FROM A REPORT
rwRIrrFN roR TIE pIsPArcH.I

should sQuander so much valuable time at
nearly every session of the Legislature, not
only in Pennsylvania, but in other States,
in wrangling over the question OF a State
uniformity of school books. Thus far in
the session nearly dozen law makers at
Harrisburg are trying to distinguish them
selves bv doing something-thev do not
know Just what-toward making school
books cheaper. How to make them better
has never been suggested or desired, so far
as we know, either by the Pennsylvania or
anv other Legislature.
It is argued that school books are a bur
densome expense, and we have neither rea-
son nor wish TO deny that the present sys-
TEN is a most expensive One-expensive,
however, chiefly because it crIpples schoo.
work rather than of the money cost of the
books, for it Is fact that our school books
40 not cost one-fflh as much as our tobacco
or One-fortieth as much as our strong drink.
Other Things Dearer Than Books.
We do not hear any mutterings OF discon-
tent At Harrisburg as TO the great expense of
cigars and whisky. No doubt these essen
tials of civilization could be furnished at
little smaller cost, if not of n more nauseous
Cdality, bv having the exclusive manufact-
Ure and sale vested in the State; and it
would be infinitely less foolish to have
law requiring State manufacture and sale
OF these articles TO gratiIy the demands of
mans baser nature, than to provide by law
q uniform quality and quantity of informa-
ti0n to supply the necessities of his higher
wants.
We need and should have the very best
textbooks We can get. No legislator can be
found so stupid as to deny this proposition.
The only way TO get the best is to permit and
encourage full free and fair competition on
the part Of euterprising publishers No
man who values his reputation for intelli
gence will deny this. We must conclude,
then, that theoretically, a State school
book law is not desirable.
II is a significant fact that men of promi-
nence in educational work in Pennsylvania
10 not urge State uniformity, but, on the
contrary, they have been obliged several
times TO come forward and do what they very
much disliked-jOin hands with the lobby
10 save the State from the misfortune, il not
the calamity, OF State textbook system.
Popular Egotism in School Matters.
II might be remarked here that nearly
every man. no matter how limited his ability
or opportunities, imagines that he knows all
about school work. Though the educator
has a more difficult and responsible pro-
fessiOn than the lawyer, physician or theolo-
gian, he must almost daily be humliated
and disgusted at the pompous presumption
of those whose Ignorance of the great princi-
piles Of teaching is equaled only by their
willingness to hinder the work of those who
have made it a study and life work. The
men who are urging this legislation are, no
doubt, honest in their intentions, but they
either do not know the result of such laws
in other States, or they are hopeful enough
TO think that by using the same means we
shall reach different results.
What has been the effect OF State school
books in the other States? California law
makers for years urged state uniformity
until the educators, disguised, withdrew and
lett them TO their course. A law was passed
by which it was provided that the manu-
scripts should be owned and the books
manufactured by the State. The result is
that now, alter more than four years, they
do not have 4 complete series of books, and
what they do have very unsatisi factory.
The Experience of California.
The estimated cost of spelling book was
81 cents bus the actual cost is 81 cents; the
estimated cost of first reader 9JI cents, act
ual cost 20 cents; second reader estimated IS
cents, actual cost Al cents, and so on through
the list The cost, however, is not the first
thing to consider, for a poor book like a
poor teacher is dear at any price, while
GOOD one is cheap at good price. A promi-
ueat educator Of the State says: I'VE pay
about the highest price and get about the
poorest books that are TO be found" The
Two ez-State Superintendents and the pres
cut State Superintendent unite in saving
that the State publication of school books is
ill-advised and expensive.
Minnesota has had similar experience,
and the State Superintendent, in one OF his
REPORTS. says; The results of the arrange
meut thus lar appear to have been very un-
salts aCtOrv.
Ohio, after agitating the subject some
years, passed law last winter providing for
the State manufacture of school books,
leaving the law in the hands OF a committee
10 be carried into effect This committee,
consisting Of Governor Campbell, School
Commissioner ohm Hancock, Superintendent
ut Printing Hlrsch and two others, made
report few DAYS ago, in which they state
thar they find ii impossible and undesirable
10 put the law into effect
The Ohio Law Found ImpracticabIe.
They have concluded, after a careful in
vestigatIon, that books of better grade and
quality can be furnished cheaper by private
publishers. A good point made bv the
committee, is that the value of manuscript
for q book is very uncertain, and it is un-
wise to buy one from which to print large
number OF books, because as the committee
well saws: There is an unavoidable un-
certainty as to what its practical value will
re. Tor a good text book is a matter of
growth, and its test can be made only in the
schoolroom."
This view is confirmed by the State Super
lntendent Of West Virginia, who says in
speaking Of State uniformity in his own
State: Some of the books which seemed to
be failures in their first introduction proved
upon use by teachers and pupils to be
meritorious. Others that promised every
thing at the start, practically failed at the
end, hence a change in some has been
earnestly recommended to the Legislature,
while upon others diversity of opinion ex-
lists"
We have already admitted that the pres
ent pennsylvania system is faulty, and it
deyolVes upon US to suggest better plan;
aud after 10 years experience in school work
we are egotistic enough to believe that we
are as competent 10 make suggestions in the
matter as is the average member of the
Legislature.
Uniformity Of School Books Not Desirable.
The great hobby with many teachers. and
we may say all lawmakers, is that uni
lormity is necessary-that but one textbook
must be used for each study in school-tbat
a variety of books would create confusion
and be hindrance to good school work.
Never was q more unreasonah1a foII.,r