The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-21
PROF. MOSES'S BOOK
ITHAD BEEN ADOPTED BY THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, but YES
TERDAY WAS STRICKEN OFF.
A COMMITTEEMAN 4 PART OWNER

Mr. n. II. BrOughtOn, one OF the Conn
mittee, a Half-Partner in the work,
But the Book Was Listed Not at His
Suggestion, Having Been Put on By
the Textbook Committee. DIR. II III.
Lewis and Mr.. T. Al. Briggs, at the
Suggestion, ii Seems, Of Superinten~
dent Howell,
There was a meeting yesterday Of the
School Committee for the city of Raleigh,
at which were present, his honor May p
Russ, chairman, ex. ofioio, Messrs. 7 II,
Briggs, P. Q Burton, n. B. Broughten
and Dr. r. H. Lewis.
A meeting had taken place about
three weeks before, at which meeting
certain books had been recommended for
the session just begun. Among them
was Phonetic Reader, a work by Prof.
Edward P. Moses, late superintendent Of
the Raleigh public schools and published
by Messrs. Edwards & Broughton, Of
this city.
at the meeting yesterday, it was de-
yeloped that Mr.. N. B. Broughton,
member of the school committee, also
had an interest in the book Of Professor
Moses.
Therefore, last night reporter Of the
NEWS AND OBSERVER, for the purpose of
Strengthening up the story, called first
upon Mr.. Bgoughton and then upon DR..
Lewis who, with Mr.. Briggs, constituted
the committee on text books, which com
mittee recommended the Reader to be
put upon the list for this year
DR.. Lewis said that at the time of the
recommendation of the book by the com
mittee, there was no thought taken Ct
who it was published by, and the names
of Edwards and Broughton did not come
into the calculations;nor, perhaps, if their
names had been mentioned as publishers
would any conflict have arisen in his
mind as against any existing law.
Mean lille here is the law;
''No member of said school committee
shall be in any way, directly or indirect
ly, interested in the sale of any books,
apparatus or other school supplies, sup
piled to the public schools of said town
ship"
Dr.. Lewis said that the list of books
which had been handed to the committee
by the present superintendent, Mr.. Lo-
gan 2. Howell included the Phonetic
Reader, and then DR.. Lewis spoke Of the
revolution in the teaching of reading
that had been wrought by the book, that
it had been received by those acquainted
with school methods with the highest
praise; that he was not versed as to
school teaehing, but that he
had no hesitation III saying
that even if the book were now
stricken from the lists, that the methods
laid down in it would be followed the
same methods which had been intro
duced by Professor Moses, and with
which the teachers were well acquainted.
DR. Lewis, while free to admit that the
law would probably prevent the books
being used, was prompt to acquit every
one of any blame in the matter, and said
that the question had been submitted to
the City Attorney, Mr. J. n. Holding,
who would render an opinion in few
days. 1t might turn out that it would
be a question Of the book or Mr. Br0ugh-
ton in which case they would let the book
go, as they had no idea Of losing the ser
vices of one who had been so valuable to
the school interests Of this city as
Mr.. Broughton. The resignation of Mr..
BroUghton would not be considered, as
he had nothing to do with suggesting
the adoption of the book, which is said
to be the work of twenty years wi b Pro
feessor Nose !, and which, moreover, it is
said, promises revolution in the depart
ment covered by it.
Mr. Broughton's statement covered
about the same ground, only from
different standpoint. Mr. Broughton
said he had devoted his best ener-
gies for seventeen years to the
school interests of this city and while he
was in no wise averse at this time to re-
tire, if such became fiji under the law, he
did not propose to do so under fire Mr..
Broughton said the committee had re-
quested him not to resign, and it seems
quite likely that be ~ ~ - 81 h,t
that the book will s =" - 3r.c-.c
from the list
Mr.. Broughton was asked if he
had any other interest in the