The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1894-06-22
4 PLEA FOR FREE BOOKS
Address OF Joseph K. Roberts Delivered,
Before the Teachers Association CT
This County, on May IL, 1894
NO.. 27-

Before the Teachers Association Of
This County, on May IL, 1894
''True to the purposes for which this
association was formed, and having sim
cerely at heart the best interests of our
schools and the welfare of the thou
sands of school children throughout
our State, We have met here to day to
consider a question Of unusual impor-
lance and significance, one which is
decidedly interesting to the school peo-
pie of all communities.
1t is the question of free books, and
1T is ourpurpose here to-day to consider
it in all its different phases and aspects
and to discuss its respective merits and
benefits, dement's, and imper-
lection in spirit of good will and
pleasantly, and according to the die
tates Of truth and reason.
As one of the affirmative upon this
question mair. tam and contend that
a system Of free books is a necessary
characteristic and attribute Of every free
shool system, for free school system
undoubtedly implies that every essen
tial element which goes towards max
ing it free in i broadest sense must Of
necessity be free.
To make schools free you must make
everything that belongs to 1t free. To
the school belongs the house, the fur
niture, a teacher to impart instruction,
and necessary apparatus to aid him in
his work. In the same category must
be placed free books, for they are tie
necessary tools with which the teacher
works. A free SCH Dol system, therefore,
imp les free books, as well asa free house
free furniture and free tuition. From
the standpoint ola school system no lire
can be drawn that will place text books
to be purchased by the indivldu, Il, AMI
leave all else belonging to the schools
to be paid for by the public. The prin-
cip'e on which the free school system is
based, undoubtedly demands free books.
Now, Mr.. President, having seen that
free books are necessary in every free
school system, let us follow this ques-
ton up little further and see what the
school men of our country are saying
and thinking upon this subject, and
where the system has already gained a
foothold.
The Superintendent of E luc .tion of
the State of Texas DESTROYS of obtaining
the opinion of the school authorities of
the different states upon this question,
wrote to them anc received replies from
the superintendants Of eighteen States:
of this number, thirteen are in favor of
i, and five are doubtful. The States
Maine, Massachusetts,, New Hamp-
shire, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebras-
ka and the District OF Columbia have
adop:ed free book system and it IS
working we'll In New York and Penn
sylvania the large cities and townships
have 1t and from reports received, public
sentiment is strongly IN its favor. If
free books are not beneficial, why is it,
that such states as Maine, Massachu-
sets, New Hampshire, Wisconsin,
Michigan and Nebraska, and the Dis
trict of Columbia, have adopted them,
and why is 1t that such large major
V Of schoo!men are in favor of them
aud 50 Jealous in their advocacy? This
fact in itself is a sufficient argument in
favor of the adoption of the system.
And again, fire, books would have
the effect of bringing in many that are
now too poor and INDECENT to acquire
the means of education and who are un-
able to furnish themselves with the nee
essary books. They would have the eff
feet Of reaching out into the highways
and hedges, into the poverty stricken
distric s, into the dens of iniquity and
vice, and would thus through the me-
dunn of popular educa ion, reclaim
many who would otherwise be led to
life of sin, and make them w-loving,
law abiding and useful members of So
ciety. They will thus make our social
fabric stronger and frmer, blot out an
archy and disorder, stamp out iniquity
and crime and bring us to veritab!,
II opla of existence. But we are told
we have all necess Try means of furnish
ing free books to INDECENT pupils
: Granted. Tis true we furnish books
to INDECENT pupils. But don't We do it
as an offering of charity. Don't we make
> the recipient and object of charity
Can pupil who knows and feels that
he is dependent upon a public charity
t put any energy, life oryim in his work?
Does he not sneak away from his more
, fortunate brethren, who are able 20 buy
their own books, and does not this very
fact goad him and cause him to grum-
BILE and repine at his lot? Most aesur-
edly it does. A system of this kind, Mr..
r President. tends to anarchy and social
ism.
Instead of this adopt the free book
system, make every pupil the equal of
his neighbor, let him demand free books
| as right and privilege, not receive
them as charity, and we will advance
the cause of popular education, raise the
, standard of morality and virtue and
shape the future destiny of our State
and country to grand and noble pur-
poses"