The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-01-19
sAUK CENTRE HERALD
THURSDAY, Jan. 10. 1898.
FREE TEXT BOOKS.

FREE TEXT BOOKS.
Representative Winston of Minueapo-
lis hasiutroduced an elaborate bill into
the state legislature providing for free
!. text books tor the use of the scholars OF
the public schools of this state The
: principle is one rapidly being recognized
as legitimate. supplement, anu in fact
necessary, to the fullest realization OF the
policy of free schools and compulsory
education. There are thousands OF
families in this state who can lily afford
to comply with compulsory education
law, as they need the assistance OF their
chIldren's earnings to make ends meet In
their household expenses. But the state
has wisely provided that all children
within certain limitations, shall attend
school and they must submit. To add
to their burdens the expense of providing
books, without which they might as
well be out of school as in it, is greater
burden than they can bear. 1t is not SO
apparent when there is but one or two
children of one family attending school,
but to increase this numbee three or four
times over is oppressive to the last de-
gree.
The best educational sentiment in the
state, recognizing this fact, favors free
text books. 1t unfortunately meets with
opposition in certain quarters quite in
Auential, but the opponents are illogical
in their objections. Bishop Zardetti is
quoted in saying that it is not just to
tax those VIII, are supporting parochial
schools to pay for text books from which
they can derive no benefit, as they do
not patronize the schools that use them.
This line of argument carried to the ulti-
matum would relieve these persons from
paying any school tax whatever; as also
another large class of people who have
no children to educate. The whole prin-
ciple of taxation rests upon the broad
proposition OF the greatest good to the
greatest number. 1t is principle which
may work hardship in individual cases,
bat it is the most equitable yet devised.
1t IS the same throughout all branches
of public service. The courts are sus-
tanned by the many for the Greet bene-
fit of the few. The community as
whole derives no more advantage from
them than they do the education OF the
masses. The indirect benefits, accrulng
to the body polite by reason OF enforced
Justice and universal education, are OF
.sueh.a nature that all must contribute
to the general good. Whatever means
within reason will render our public
schools more efficient and tar reaching in
their benefcent influence should be ap-
piled. The cost of free text books will
not be great, when once introduced. The
support OF the free school system is
patriotic duty, and our senator and rep
resentatiye will doubtless take this view
of it. The Winston bill should become a
law.
In his annual report to the State Sup
erintendent of Public Institution, l.. J..
Rocholl, our county superintendent OF
schools, takes the correct view. He says:
"In addition to my statistical report,
beg leave to submit the following few
remarks: The schools for the past year
have made good degree of progress.
In regard to the text books am OF
the opinion that the best plan to be sug-
gested by me would be county uniformi-
ty, and the district purchase plan, which
gives the free use of books to the pupils.
or in other words, free text books. A
few of the districts have adopted the
above nsmed plan. and have found it
to give entire satisfaction.
The plan of conducting the teachers
examination as it now exists, Is good
one. would recommend that it be con.
tinued.
The summer schools are destined to be
the best factor in the State fer adyanc.
ing educational ideas. Iwould suggest
that the plan of uniting two or more
counties for one school be continued. and
adopted as a rule for the entire state
The only Improvement that could fur
Their suggest would be fo- the legislature
to make it obligatory, on the part. Of
the teachers, to attend the summer
school"