The record-union., 1895-03-21
STATE TEXTBOOKS.
The New Readers Are Highly Com
mended.
Opinions of Practical Educators From
All Over the State as to
Their Merits.

When the first issue of the readers of
the State series OF school textbooks was
made the volumes came in for all manner
of harsh criticism, with the deduction
from the discovered errors that it would
be impossible for the State to produce ac-
ceptable school books; therefore we must
return to the old system of slavery-to
the book rings. 1t should not be neces-
sary to say that this conclusion was not
justified; there was not the slightest war
rant for it; it was only the apparently
triumphant exclamation of the ring.
OF course the enemies of the State sys-
tenn, moved by selfish motives, improved
every opportunity that defects in the
books opened to them to discredit the
series. Such virtues as the books had
were ignored, and their mistakes were
magnifed and exaggerated. Fortunately
the bitterness and persistency OF the as
saults, the employment of falsehood and
the trickery of ward politicians. disclosed
the cloven foot and the people became
aware that the attacks were not in State,
but in self-interest, and thus to large
extent the venom of the enemy was
neutraliZed.
However, the friends of State system
were not unaware OF the faults of the
readers, and of such errors in other
books as were honestly chargeable to
them. They knew what the mass of the
general public did not then know, that a
shortsighted and foolish policy had
forced upon the State the nucleus OF an
entire set of readers for instance, which
could not by ever so assiduous labor be
whipped into shape. One line OF these
readers was taken as gilt, on the pro-
viso that it should be produced as a
whole. Like all things that have their
chief virtue in chespness, the set Of books
proved to be a cheat, and though corps
of editors worked night and day upon the
set for months, they could not whip this
cub into good form.
Nevertheless the people in their new
born freedom from the chain of the book
ring were content, though growing con-
scious of the inadeQuRcy of the readers.
The law also was in fault 1t permitted
only three books in the reader series,
when in fact the necessary bridging can
not be effected with less than four. This
defect has been corrected and now the
State series is complete in four parts.
1t was a mistake all round to have
issued the original series. 1t never should
have been printed. 1t never would have
been but for the blindness of an early
Board Of Education, the motives OF
which. however, are not assailed.
But-now the State Board of Education
has got the textbook system out of its
swaddling- clothes. 1t has taken hold OF
the books itself, and through the medium
ship of corps of competent editors work
lug directly under the board, it is lifting
the books up to the highest levels and dis
arming criticism. 1t is OF course under
stood that our remarks do not apply to
all the books when we say that the orig
nj hat hoy Ghn ia
have been. On the contrary some Of the
works issued by the State Board have
taken rank with the very best known to
school book literature We recall, for
instance, the geographical works, which
are models OF excellence, and in the
armor of which not even the book ring
has been able to find an open joint.
The new series OF readers, however is
what engages our attention now, and is
the cause and the purpose of this article,
the object being to show that the State can
issue desirable set of textbooks; that
il Is not necessary that we return TO the
slavery of the book ring; that the con-
tention of the RECORD | MON all these
years has been sound; and that il is now
SO proved, namely, that the State, avail
ing of the open book of knowledge and
the capacity of the best educators and
editors of school books, can produce just
as we'll as can private firms who hire
OF that can Ou;strlp the private firms.
AS we have said. the readers being the
chief object OF assault, they have been
the object of greatest solicltude on the
part of the State Board. The result is an
entirely new set of books. The old, with
all the errors and impolicies that were
patent, and all others claimed against the
books, have been discarded, and we have
now from the board, as stated, a wholly
new set OF readers.
Now for the proof of their worth and
the correctness of the attitude the REC
D-UNIoN has maintained all these
years in reference 10 the books. The
lesser readers are out in use and have had
thorough trial. The more advanced have
been sent out by sample copies, and the
judgment OF teachers far and near
throughout the State has been asked by
the board, because it wants to know what
other minds think on this subject and 10
discover defects before il is too late TO
correct them.
In the following excerpts from letters
from teachers-ln part of large number
only-tbe judgment OF the educators OF
the State is found. We submit them
without further comment than this, that
they demonstrate the wisdom of the poll
icy of having the work of preparing the
school books done by Board OF Editors
who give their individual time and
thought 10 the work, and exploit the
whole realm of examples in search of the
best ideas, methods and styles, and who
originate, adapt or accept, as the best in
terests of the State school system de-
msnds. The names of this Board of Edit
ors are put upon the title pages of the
books as guarantee OF their best work
ana evidence Of personal responsibility
in the case OF the old series, everything
about the books WAS impersonal and all
responsibility was shadowy. The superior
wisdom OF the new policy is seen IN the
much higher results attained in the new
BOOKS. Some OF the excerpts 10 which
We reier are as follows:
SANTA BARBARA, March :, 1895.
We have started classes IN your new
First and Second Readers, and l think
they are the best readers | have ever
used. Especially do l like the introduc-
tlon of vertical writing in the First. /
am not fayorably impressed with ali the
State series, but when we get good thing
believe in saying so. C. y. RooP.
superintendent OF Schools.
MONTERREY, July. 1924.
Our supply of the revised readers has
just come, and l must write q few words
20 tell you how charmed l am with the
setting you have given your gems. They
certainly are as neat, attractive looking
little books as 1 have seen. The pictures
are lovely and the type hne. sm slto-
gether delighted.
Mrs. MARGARET HooD.
Fremont AVENUE SCHOOL,
Los ANGELES, February 5. 1884
The children are enchanted with the
reader aud heg 70 take il home. II is the
spirit Of the book thar plesses US all SO
much. OLIVIA DAY,
SAN JoSE, February :, 1924
wish TO thank you for the copy OF the
Second Reader, and tell you how pleased