The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-05
"olvIL GOVERNMENT"


In tho Soi,oois-A Teachers risws-Hc
1tccomm ends book to FIJI the iii.
Special Ditpatch 10 ht lHieiIi1tncsr,
CHARLESTON, W. Va, Fob. IA
teacher Of long experience. commenting
on tho books on civil government
offered for uae In tho schools, Expresses
himself In this way In favor Of the work
which no thinks 10 most suitable for tho
purpose:
Pctorman'a "Elomonts OF Civil Gov.
crnmont." has been prepared by y prac.
teal teuChor, and contains number OF
now foaturos intended to meet tho we'll.
known Weaknesses OF text books on
clvics. In nearly every text on civlcd,
pupils got confused ideas Of our differ.
ont units Of govornmont-.ho United
States. tho state, tho county. tho city,
tho town. Tho plan Of their books aro
auch that ono has difficulty In explain.
Ing tho functions Of Zach unit and Its
relation to tho others. This being
truo, book whose plan IL tho simplest
yot devised, treating successivOly tho
family, tho school. tho civil district or
township. tho county, tho state, and tho
United States 10 tho ono bost suited
for school use. by this simple method
tho pupil grows into a clear understand.
ing Of tho complex relations Of tho state
md tho United Staios.
Most text books on civics arc too
lengthy, hence part OF the text must be
''gkipped." or classes must DO pushed
beyond their capacity, and thus be dis.
couragod. Usually not more than five
months can DO devoted to this subject.
and in this time pupils can muster
Pctsrnan's Elements Of Civil Govern
mcnt" and thus DO prepared for exam.
inntion or for intelligent citizenship.
Tho style OF most text books 10 dull.
The author talks great deal and says
nothing" Pupils complain that they
cannot gather anything to rocite and
remember. They will appreciate a
book which always goes to tho heart OF
tho matter. whose style is "tersc. point
cd and pcrspcuous," which "can say
so much in so few words"
Peterman teaches by natures plan,
giving concept before definition. Alb.
stract definitions and theories confuse,
putting the subject beyond tho pupils
depth. Government as a study ia Ger.
tainly abstract enough at best.
Many authors select single state as
4 model, write about it rs il all state
governments were exactly alike. Peter.
mans book is national book, which
notes the differences in state govern.
ments.
The abstruse theorizing upon the con-
stltution, all thrown together, without
regard to its connection with the other
parts OF the book. is wearisome. In
Peterman's Elements OF Civil Govern.
inent the parts OF the national consti.
tuition are treated under their proper
heads, being discussed in connection
with the senate, tho house OF repre-.
septatives, the President. the supreme
court, etc.
Peterman describes not only the ma.
chinery OF our government, but points
out and emphasizes tho principles upon
which the government rests, and clearly
shows tho necessity OF government, that
all power resides in tho people. that the
majority must rule. the rights and
duties Of the citizen, the sacredness OF
the ballot, etc. -
This textbook is abreast Of the times.
1t has n chapter devoted to a full ex.
PLANTATION and illustration OF the Aus
tralian ballot system. Of such wide.
spread interest to the public. There
are also chapters on law. parties and
party machinery, legislation, revenue
and taxation. etc.
The book is based upon the latest aud
best principles OF teaching. The sub.
iec. OF each paragraph is in bold-iaced
type. Suggestive questions" at the
close OF each chapter lead the pupil to
think and investigate Tor himself.
Most important Of all is tho fact that
the book has passed the ultimate test, it
has proven successful in the classroom,
and is warmly endorsed by hundreds OF
practical teachers who have used it.